Kris Desautels

Kris Desautels

Author: Mark Davidson and John St June 5, 2025 Duration: 1:04:52

Send a text

In this episode of Street Life, Mark  and John welcome special guest Kris Desautels, a Chicago-based street photographer known for his high-contrast, minimalist imagery.

Kris recounts his early exposure to photography through his family's point-and-shoot cameras and his mother's passion for capturing family moments. After a detour through various jobs and a stint in bartending, Kris found his calling in photography, particularly drawn to the themes of isolation and urban life.

Kris elaborates on how the pandemic influenced his work, pushing him towards solitary imagery amidst the empty streets of Chicago. He discusses his preference for black and white photography, citing the emotional depth it provides compared to colour. 

Throughout the episode, Kris shares his creative process, emphasising the importance of instinct and spontaneity in his photography. He reveals his fascination with reflections and silhouettes, as well as his approach to sequencing images to tell a cohesive story. The conversation also touches on the influence of music and other art forms on his work, highlighting how he draws inspiration from various sources beyond photography.

As the episode wraps up, Kris discusses his current projects, including a book centered around Chicago's Air and Water Show and a series involving mannequins and nighttime photography.

Join us for this engaging episode filled with humour, insights, and a deep appreciation for the art of street photography as we explore the creative journeys of Mark, John, and Kris Desautels.

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

Follow us on Instagram and leave us a review!


There's a particular kind of alchemy that happens when a photographer hits the pavement, turning fleeting glances and mundane moments into something permanent and profound. Street Life digs into that process, hosted by the insightful duo of John St and Mark Davidson. Every other week, they pull up a chair with a fascinating array of image-makers who find their muse in the public square. You'll hear from revered figures whose work has defined the genre for decades, sitting right alongside new voices who are pushing the boundaries of what street photography can be. The conversations are less about technical gear talk and more about the human experience behind the viewfinder-the stories of patience, chance, and connection that lead to a single, compelling frame. This podcast thrives on the personal narratives and the shared obsession that drives photographers to wander cities with a camera. It’s an invitation to understand not just how these artists see, but why they look where they do, offering a deeper appreciation for the vibrant, unscripted theater of everyday life. Tune in for a regular dose of inspiration that might just make you see your own surroundings in a completely new light.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 86

Street Life
Podcast Episodes
Robin Schimko (aka The Real Sir Robin) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:36
Send a textThe Real Sir Robin is a German-born street photographer who also runs a popular photography YouTube channel.He is known for shooting both film and digital and travels the world taking photos and teaching works…
Shooting Solo vs Shooting with Mates (plus Jay Regular) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:10
Send a textIn this episode, John and Mark discuss whether photographing on your own versus shooting with a group of mates yields better results.Plus, Jay Regular chats about his latest project and photo zine, Commute.Fol…
Reuben Radding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:37
Send a textReuben Radding is a New York City-based street photographer known for his work capturing the people and streets of NYC. His photography is characterised by a focus on human character and emotion, mostly in bla…
Matt Hall (aka The 13th Second) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
Send a textMatt Hall is a photographer originally from Cambridge in the UK, who currently resides in Margate. Matt is known for his minimalistic style of street photography and uses abstraction and single human figures t…
Photo Talk: Protests, Photobooks and Posteriors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:00
Send a textIn this episode, John and Mark discuss photographing protests, the pitfalls and benefits of film photography, getting into fights with photojournalists and their favourite photobooks.Photobooks mentioned in th…
Stephen Dupont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:22
Send a textStephen Dupont is an Australian photographer based in New South Wales.Stephen is one of Australia’s most acclaimed photojournalists, whose work focuses largely on the human condition, war and climate.In 2007,…
Jonny Dub [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:30
Send a textJonny Dub is an award-winning street photographer originally from Manchester in the UK, who is now based in Tokyo.He is a member of the Tokyo Street Photography Club and last year self-published his first zene…
Jeff Karp [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:02
Send a textJeffrey Karp is a photographer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jeff’s street photography has a fine art look to it, with a focus on minimalist compositions, straight lines and heavy black shadows. In 2020, he…
Martin Parr [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:11
Send a textMartin Parr is one of the greatest living photographers on the planet.He has worked prolifically since the 70s and has published more than 100 photobooks, which is a testament to his work ethic.Martin is a mem…
Joshua K Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:07
Send a textJoshua K Jackson is a British photographer based in London. After years working in a corporate desk job, Josh decided to quit in 2017 and focus on his real passion: creating photographs.Josh’s work focuses pri…