Dave Emilio | Street Life & Urban Photography

“What I love about Black & White photographs is that they’re more like reading the book than seeing the movie”
~ Jennifer Price

This is just a sample of my Street Life Photography collection, where I document the compelling people, textures, and architecture that give urban environments their soul. From crowded avenues to quiet side streets, I’m drawn to the contrast and spontaneity of city life—capturing everything from iconic landmarks to fleeting interactions. Whether I’m walking through the heart of a bustling metropolis or wandering the streets of a sleepy town, I rely on instinct and curiosity to guide my lens.

I’m particularly fascinated by how light and movement shape a scene—whether it’s a figure in motion, a shadow cast across a sidewalk, or the glow of a streetlamp after dark. Night photography plays a big role in this collection. There’s a serenity and unpredictability that comes with shooting at night—when the noise dies down and subtle details come alive.

Black and white photography often plays a central role in my work, emphasizing mood, emotion, and form without the distraction of color. But when color tells the better story—when it adds grit, energy, or atmosphere—I let it in without hesitation.

These photographs reflect not just what I see, but what I feel: the rhythm of the streets, the quiet moments between chaos, and the visual poetry hidden in everyday life.

Many of the images featured here are available as prints, and I welcome inquiries about specific pieces or commissions. Whether you’re a collector, a curator, or simply someone who appreciates street photography, I hope this gallery offers a fresh perspective on the cities we move through every day.

Explore the collection below and step into the pulse and stillness of street life through my eyes.

Black and white photo of railroad tracks with overhead signaling structures and adjacent buildings, taken at dusk.
Black and white photo of a staircase with metal railings casting shadows.
Black and white photo of an urban square with a skateboarder in motion, digital billboards, and fountains. Tall buildings with signs and advertisements in the background, creating a bustling city atmosphere.
Black and white photo of people in a city square with water fountains, surrounded by commercial buildings and advertisements. Several individuals are interacting with the fountains.
Black and white photo of a man handing an ice cream cone to two women at an ice cream truck.
Night scene of a barbershop with an illuminated "open" sign and people inside. The shop displays traditional barber poles and is situated next to a wooden outdoor seating area.
Black and white image of a person with curly hair walking a bicycle on a city street at night, with cars and buildings in the background.
Crowded beach scene in black and white with people relaxing on the sand, walking along the shoreline, and a lifeguard tower in the background. Distant hills and buildings are visible.
Black and white image of a pier with carnival setup, featuring an ice cream stand under a striped umbrella, balloons, and people behind caution tape. Wooden boardwalk and street lamps visible.
Santa Monica Pier with Pacific Park, featuring a Ferris wheel, colorful umbrellas, and visitors on the boardwalk.
A nighttime street vendor with colorful stuffed animals and balloons under an umbrella, surrounded by customers.
Black and white image of various posters on a wall with fallen scooters on the sidewalk below. The posters include advertisements for vodka, a skin cleanser, and a musical release. The ground is slightly wet and uneven.
Black and white photo of a dimly lit entrance to "The Bourbon Room" with a neon sign above. A person is sitting on a stool in the doorway, and stairs leading upward are visible inside. A wooden barrel is placed outside, contributing to the rustic dec
Black and white photo of an industrial alley with metal fire escape stairs and tall building walls.
Black and white photo of a vintage brick building with a metal staircase, shop window displaying antiques, and a shadow of a lamppost on the wall.
Person wearing a winter coat, earmuffs, and backpack, holding a drink. Background shows people skating at an ice rink in an urban setting.
People in winter clothing taking photos outdoors in a snowy urban environment.
Black and white image of an indoor market with a high ceiling, featuring stalls and a person walking with a bag. "Carousel Bakery" is visible on the right.
Black and white photo of an indoor market with hanging lights and people shopping. The scene includes brick walls, a large window, and a sign reading 'Centre Street'. The market has various stalls and a festive decoration.
Black and white photo of an indoor market scene with shoppers walking between vendor stalls. The ceiling features large, bell-shaped lights. A brick wall with arched windows in the background indicates an urban setting. The market is decorated with h
Black and white photo of a brick wall with a shadow cast by a metallic figure resembling octopus tentacles.
Black and white photo of a person sitting on a wooden bench in an outdoor plaza, with buildings and bare trees in the background.
Black and white photo of a glass door with a sign reading "The Public Market on Granville Island" and various prohibition symbols. A person is visible inside, seated at a table with a drink.
Two people wearing masks walking on a city street near a row of bicycles, carrying shopping bags, with a building labeled 'Cathedral Place' in the background.
Black and white photo of two people sitting on a curb, wearing casual shoes and rolled-up pants. One person wears white socks and another wears patterned socks. Partial reflections are visible on a glass surface.
People sitting on the ground inside a glass-walled building, with bikes and cars outside on the street.
Black and white photo of a building with large windows, shadows of trees cast on the wall, and a mannequin visible inside.
Black and white photo of a police car on a wet city street, near a vintage clock and storefronts in a historic district.
Black and white photo of two people walking with umbrellas on a wet sidewalk, wearing backpacks, and surrounded by reflective paving and modern architecture.
Two people holding yellow umbrellas stand in the rain under large black rectangular frames by a waterfront, with a brick-paved walkway reflecting the scene.
Person with bicycle at night on city street corner, surrounded by tall buildings and streetlights in black and white
Black and white photo of a person in a wheelchair on a city sidewalk at night, sitting in front of a building with illuminated signage and windows.
Man cycling on a cargo bike with three children in helmets riding on the back seat. A red bag is attached to the bike. Urban setting with trees and buildings in the background.
Aerial view of an urban street with a cyclist casting a long shadow. Trees and parked cars line the sidewalk. The scene is in black and white, emphasizing contrast and light patterns.
Black and white photo of a man walking confidently across a city street, dressed in a button-up shirt and pants, wearing sneakers. Several other people and cars in the background.
Person lying on a bench outdoors, looking at a phone, with a backpack and trees in the background.
Black and white image of a woman walking on a street, holding a smartphone. She is wearing sunglasses, a patterned scarf, and carrying a small handbag. There is a tree in the foreground and several people and signs in the background.
Back view of a man carrying a child on his shoulder and a woman walking beside them, both wearing casual clothing and carrying backpacks.
Black and white photo of a woman sitting on a stone ledge next to a street lamp with bicycle signs, facing away from a bald man, in an urban setting.
A woman sitting on a stone ledge next to a man, under a bicycle route sign in an urban setting. The scene is in black and white, capturing a relaxed moment.
Group of people taking a selfie on a crowded urban outdoor walkway, with city lights and banners in the background, in black and white.
Black and white photo of a person standing on a sidewalk in a city, reading a paper. They are wearing shorts and a top. Other pedestrians are visible in the background walking away.
Black and white photo of a person standing on a city street wearing minimal clothing, reading a book. Other people are in the background walking along the sidewalk.
Person holding yellow umbrella near modern architectural structure with large white sails.
Monochrome image of a person sitting on a bench, wearing a coat, with head down, and a pair of sneakers placed beside the bench. The background features an arcade with architectural details.
Person in a plaid shirt taking a selfie near a body of water with a mobile phone.
A black and white photo of a young man taking a picture of a woman crouching on a rock by the water, with sailboats and trees in the background.
Black and white photo of a tattooed person sitting on a wall, drinking from a cup, with a bag on the ground, and a tree shadow on the wall.
Woman walking on city sidewalk with reflection in glass wall in black and white photo.
Black and white photo of a person with alternative fashion, standing on a city street. They are wearing a long skirt, lace top, platform boots, and a wide-brimmed hat. Holding a smartphone, they appear focused while pedestrians and city structures ar
Black and white photo of a street vendor selling hot dogs and smokies from a food cart.
Two people walking across a street, one wearing an open shirt and glasses, and the other in a wide-brimmed hat and dress. It's a black and white photo, with a vintage look.
Two elderly women wearing hats, walking on a city street. They are dressed in light jackets and skirts, standing on a crosswalk. The scene is in black and white.
Black and white photo of a person's legs and feet wearing dark pants and sneakers, casting a shadow on a textured concrete sidewalk.
Black and white photo of construction workers on a building structure, wearing safety gear, with scaffolding and metal framework visible.
Black and white image of people walking at an outdoor market surrounded by buildings and vendor tents.
Black and white photo of a man leaning back over a metal barricade
Two men in a street scene, one reaching into the other's pocket, with people and a store entrance in the background.
Black and white street scene showing a person using a hose to spray water on a sidewalk, with potted plants nearby and a visible canopy reading '26' overhead.
Black and white photo of two people sitting on skateboards in a park, engaged in conversation. One is seated on a bench with a backpack and holding something, while the other sits on the ground. Trees and people are visible in the background.
Black and white photo of an older man standing on a sidewalk, wearing a jacket and jeans. Other people are walking in the background, and trees are visible.
Man sitting on a fountain ledge in a park, wearing casual clothes and a cap, with people and trees in the background.
Person holding a child near a fountain, both wearing hats, in black and white photo.
Black and white photo of a person holding a child near a fountain in a park.
Black and white image of a person sitting on a park bench focusing on a smartphone. They are wearing a cap and layered clothing, holding a takeout container. Trees and another person are visible in the background.
Black and white photo of two people sitting on a park bench, one wearing glasses and a sweater, the other with a hat, glasses, and a cigarette.
Three uniformed police officers standing together, looking at their smartphones in an outdoor urban setting.
A person in a camouflage jacket and hood sits on a plastic container on a sidewalk, under scaffolding next to cardboard boxes. They are reading or writing in a booklet.
Black and white photo of a person wearing a hooded jacket sitting on a plastic container, reading a newspaper on a city sidewalk.
Bags of peanuts stacked on a sidewalk in an urban setting, with a person standing behind them, surrounded by tall buildings and cars on the street.
Urban street scene with an old brick building featuring fire escapes, Chinese signage, and two men using phones standing on the sidewalk. A decorative street lamp and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
Urban street scene with pedestrians using umbrellas in rainy weather, flanked by tall buildings.
Black and white photo of two people walking on a rainy city street with umbrellas.
Person in a raincoat walking across a wet city street in the rain, black and white photo.
Monochrome city street scene with cars, buildings, and an overpass, reflecting in a large puddle on the road.
A couple walking under an umbrella on a rainy day towards a glass building housing a brightly lit carousel.
A black and white photo of a man and a young girl walking through a fair or carnival. The man is looking at his phone and holding a twisted cone snack. The girl is holding a similar snack and looking ahead. A cotton candy booth and trash can are visi
A person sitting on a bench near a river, with feet propped up on a bicycle. A bridge and construction crane are visible in the background.
Black and white street scene featuring a brick wall with the numbers 515 painted on it, a bar sign hanging nearby, and the Cambie Hostel in the background. A person walks on the sidewalk toward the camera.
Black and white photo of modern architectural structure with curved design over concrete columns, traffic lights, power lines, and streetlights.
Black and white urban street scene with pedestrians walking, traffic lights, trees, and buildings. Signs visible for West Hastings and Seymour Street, along with SFU banners. Car on the road.
Several colorful bicycles parked outside a building entrance with glass doors.
Black and white photo of a city street with three people walking, a small bird on the sidewalk, and tall buildings in the background.
Nighttime city street with festive lights, traffic signals, and car light trails.

 Another quote:
“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!”

— Ted Grant