Let’s be honest: Toronto has a lot of photographers. Some lug around $8,000 lenses. Some dress like they’re auditioning for a role as “Mysterious Artist #4.”
And then… there’s Bob, who shows up with a camera older than most condos in this city and the raw determination of a guy who just wants to cross the street without missing a good shot.
Here’s why you should trust him — or at least why the universe keeps letting him get away with this.
1. Bob Has Seen More of Toronto Than Google Maps
Seriously. Google Maps updates quarterly.
Bob updates daily.
He’s out there dodging:
Skateboarders mid-air
Santa-hat marching bands
Brides-to-be waving at literally anyone
Firefighters wondering why Bob is documenting their Tuesday
Street heater enthusiasts powering through winter
Super fans with enough pins to sink a medium-sized canoe
Bob doesn’t curate the streets — the streets curate Bob.
2. Bob Doesn’t Take Photos — He Collects Accidental Moments
Other photographers talk about “visual narrative cohesion.”
Bob is just hoping the guy doing the ollie doesn’t land on him.
His approach is beautifully simple:
If it moves, Bob might photograph it. If it doesn’t move, Bob might photograph it anyway.
That includes:
A firefighter deep in thought
A bachelorette who waved at Bob unprompted
A USA baseball fan who looks like he’s attending 17 different events at once
A musician blasting trombone in December because Canadians just do that
Bob’s specialty isn’t high art — it’s being there when weird things happen.
3. Bob’s Gear Is So Old It Should Have Heritage Status
While everyone else is shooting with cameras that require firmware updates every 11 minutes…
Bob shows up with a Sony that predates TikTok.
And you know what?
Toronto LOVES it.
The older the gear, the more people trust you:
Firefighters think he’s from a news agency from 2007
Brides think he’s the friendly neighbourhood tourist
Skateboarders assume he’s documenting their rise to fame
Parades just assume he wandered into formation by mistake
Bob’s cameras may be outdated, but his enthusiasm is timeless — like a TTC delay.
4. Bob Is Unintentionally Stealthy
Some photographers try to blend in.
Bob doesn’t try — he just is.
He’s mistaken for:
A lost visitor
A confused uncle
A Dad who took a wrong turn looking for Canadian Tire
A man doing product testing for Tim Horton's
This is his superpower.
People trust him instantly because he radiates “I’m just here for a good time” energy.
And while they relax, Bob quietly snaps the most authentic moments of the day.
5. Bob’s Photos Feel REAL — Because They Absolutely Are
No posing.
No retakes.
No elaborate lighting setups involving 14 assistants named Tyler.
Just Bob, wandering around Toronto, capturing:
Happiness
Chaos
Confusion
Public transit emotions
Seasonal festivals
And occasionally someone’s lunch
Bob doesn’t pretend to be the best — but he’s absolutely the most Bob.
So why trust Bob?
Because he’s the only photographer in Toronto who’s:
Been nearly run over by a skateboarder
Applauded by strangers
Ignored by tourists
Thanked by firefighters
Followed by marching bands
And STILL shows up the next day to do it all again
Bob isn’t trying to impress anyone.
He’s just out there living the photographic dream:
Take the picture now — figure out what happened later.
And honestly?
That’s the kind of street photographer you can trust.
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