Portrait, Urban and Travel Photography by Toronto Creator Pedro Anao (Community Member Feature)
Welcome to another installment of our Tdot Shots 5 Questions interview feature. We love to showcase the creative skills of photographers in our community.
Pedro Anao is a self-described portrait photographer with a lovely portfolio of images from Toronto and beyond, including some stunning mages from Algonquin Park and Portugal.
Please give the photographer a follow: @pavba_pics
Thanks for joining us and contributing to this series Pedro!
Tdot Shots Five Questions Interview
Please answer with medium length responses – feel free to add your own question at the end! 🙂
Who are you?
Hi, I’m Pedro Anao, an enthusiast photographer and construction project manager by day. Toronto has been my home for over a decade now, but I am originally from Lisbon, Portugal.
How did you get into photography?
My first steps in photography began in the early nineties and lasted a couple of years. Back then, shooting with film was a fully analog experience—every shot was intentional, and waiting days to see the results was part of the appeal.
In the early days of digital cameras, I picked up a DSLR and spent about three years exploring photography when I had the time. That was when the seed of my interest in documenting the relationship between people and the city first started to grow—a theme that remains central to my work today.
About two years ago, I picked up a camera again. This time around, photography is more integrated into my daily life, and I see it as a long-term journey rather than just a phase.
What do you like to shoot and where?
I primarily shoot urban scenes and street portraits.
When it comes to urban scenes, I’m drawn to the energy of the city, particularly in downtown Toronto. The high-rise buildings, the people, and the streetcars. I try to frame scenes that highlight the contrast between human scale and the vast urban environment, showing how people move through and interact with the city.
Recently, I’ve discovered a deep appreciation for engaging with strangers and capturing their portraits. Approaching people on the street and asking to take their photo has been an incredibly rewarding experience—not just as a photographer, but on a personal level. In an era where so much of our interaction happens online, having a genuine, face-to-face moment with someone feels both like a leap of faith and a return to something natural.
For me, urban scenes and street portraits are two sides of the same story. One captures the city’s scale and energy, while the other focuses on the individuals who bring it to life. Together, they reflect the relationship between people and the urban spaces they inhabit.
What gear do you use?
My primary camera is the Fujifilm X-T5. I chose this camera because I love the analog feel of the dials. It makes me more engaged with the photographic process, and it feels less clinical. The tactile experience of adjusting the settings adds to the creative flow and makes shooting feel more intuitive and immersive.
I keep my setup as minimal as possible, mainly shooting with small prime lenses and a standard zoom. The Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 (52mm on the cropped sensor) is my go-to lens, but I also use the XF 23mm f/2, the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 for portraits and the XF 18-55mm kit lens. All pair perfectly with the X-T5, offering a lightweight and versatile kit. Shooting with primes forces me to be more intentional with my compositions, making me move around and engage more with my surroundings. This approach not only improves my photography but also strengthens my connection to the moment I’m capturing.
Fuji’s film simulations are another reason I love this camera. They provide great results straight out of the camera and significantly reduce post-editing time.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Studying the work of other photographers is a constant source of inspiration for me. It opens my eyes to different ways of seeing the world and expands my understanding of what’s possible in photography. Masters like Saul Leiter, Ernst Haas, Harry Gruyaert, Steve McCurry, and Todd Hido have all influenced how I think about composition, color, and storytelling.
I also follow the work of contemporary photographers that resonate with me, such as Melissa O’Shaughnessy, Liam Wong, Josh Edgoose, Alan Schaller and Roman Fox. Their unique perspectives and styles inspire me and shape my approach to photography.
When it comes to portraits, there are several photographers I follow online, but what interests me most is not just their images, but how they approach and interact with people. The way a photographer connects with their subject can be just as important as the final photo, and I find that aspect of portraiture particularly fascinating.
Huge thanks Pedro! We love your work. Support the artist by following on Instagram: @pavba_pics
Interview and photo selection by Tdot Shots and Tdot.CC founder Mike Simpson aka @tdot_mike. Please follow @tdot_shots on IG.
