What to text back when she says she's into photography and candid shots

A person who says they take candid shots is telling you they spend time watching people without the performance. That usually means she notices small things, like how someone stands when they think no one is looking, or the light on a street at a particular hour. Those are the details worth picking up on, because they show she's paying attention to the world and not only to her phone.

It also tells you something about how she sees people. Candid photographers tend to be curious about strangers and ordinary moments. When she mentions it, she is often giving you a window into what she finds interesting, so the most useful thing you can do is respond to that way of looking rather than to the gear or the technical side.

A good reply names what makes candid work hard or interesting, then asks her about a specific choice she makes. Asking how she decides when to take a shot, or what she was drawn to in the last one she was proud of, gives her room to talk about something she actually cares about. It is easy for her to answer and easy to keep going.

Avoid asking her to send photos as the first move. She may have her own reasons for not sharing work with someone she's just met, and pushing for it can read as more interested in the pictures than in her. Let the photos come up later, once the conversation has some warmth in it, and let her decide when to share.

Send your reply in the same part of the day she messaged, rather than hours later when the moment has passed. If she mentioned the topic in the evening, an evening reply feels natural. A reply the next morning can work too, but a reply three days later reads as if you forgot or were unsure what to say.

If she doesn't answer your question, wait a day or two before following up, and follow up with something new rather than repeating the same question. Mention a photo you noticed or an idea connected to the topic. If she still doesn't engage after one more try, let it go and move on, because a conversation that never picks up is telling you it doesn't have enough energy yet.