As someone who creates, it’s a losing battle to “be original” whatever that means. Take from others and modify to fit your needs just like a PowerPoint template.

If I went a week without making any good photos, I’d hang it up and find another hobby. I do it because I see progress and evolution in my work. Who shoots for happiness? Only people making good work are happy with street photography. Production equals happiness. You’ll never be happy producing nothing.

Happiness isn’t the goal. Productivity is. Don’t do street photography because it makes your happy, do it because you have a goal and you’re working towards that goal. Humans didn’t evolve because they were searching for happiness. We evolved because it’s in our DNA to make things and advance. Happiness is a privileged concept. If happiness was the goal, it’s very likely that humans would be total losers and eaten by lions to extinction or another animal that’s not dumb enough to only consider their own happiness.

Luckily, happiness evolves from productivity so it’s a win win.

Get on Google and look for reviews on apartment complexes. You’ll almost certainly find negative reviews and the response from the property management company. Treat your angry subjects like this. Apologize, show remorse and move one. Who cares if it’s not honest. You should deescalate the situation, not amplify it.

It’s good to think like this if and when confronted by someone. Instead of lashing out and becoming defensive, calmly explain what you’re doing like you’re the CEO of a street photography company. Your business rely on the customer and their understanding of your craft. Bad public relations leads to failure and regret. Don’t regret your hostile response. Even if your calm demeanor fails you, you’ve still acted respectfully in the public sphere.