BLOG - Workshops/Photowalks

I recently had a 1-2-1 street photography workshop session booked with Mark, a member of my We Shoot People Meetup group recently. I started a beginner group because at a time when there were no other similar London street photography groups offering that service to beginner photographers interested in street photography, to meet their peers in a social way for photo walks around the city.

People ask me why I teach 1-2-1 street photography workshops, and not group sessions? The answer I give, is purely down to my own experience, as I HAVE done small group sessions before in the past. Is mainly down to the simple fact of knowing that most, if not all the students who attend, are at different levels when it comes to street photography, both technically and creatively.

I have taught group workshops, which were fine, but I had to teach it in a more generic way, where it was more like 'one size fits all teaching. In contrast, when someone approaches me about street photography tuition, I have to work a little harder and I am challenged (in a good way), as I get to tailor a workshop just for that one student. I start by getting to know them personally in terms of a photographer, try to understand what specific topics they hope to get out of tuition with me, their tastes and influences in photography and art, their current level of experience, and where they want to be, in say a year from now, etc.



If I asked 10 different beginners these types of questions, I would typically get 10 different answers, because photography is not generic, it is subjective and personal. There is no one size fits all when it comes to art & photography. So why teach that way? Based on your personal influences, who inspires you, why you started photography and why you want to creatively pursue it, plus many other factors will change your answers. By customising a workshop based around a student, it makes a session much more fun and productive.

So, when a keen novice photographer like Mark approaches me for mentoring, tips, tricks, advice. I explain to them that I will teach them all that I know in techniques and training, how I approach taking a street photo in the best composition, dealing with tricky subjects, technically taking the shot, post processing, etc. but once the session is over it is the ongoing practice and training of the eye thereafter that they will need to keep up to improve their photos.

I get more satisfaction from helping a student 1-2-1, to bring out their strongest qualities, improving on any weak spots I can spot whether creatively or technically, push them to find their own creative identity in their journey, and discovering their own style.

My mentoring continues post 1-2-1 session. I ask students to email me their favourite shots from our workshop. I then give 'constructive' feedback and any post editing tips they need. During and at least by the end of a session, I can usually see a marked improvement on not only a student's confidence but also in their photos!

This evening I did a 1-2-1 street photography walk / workshop with an US visitor called Brian from Ohio, who had booked a session with me back in the Summer. Brian knew the styles he was looking to achieve and so it made my job easier teaching and taking him to the locations where I knew we could get some cool shots. I decided a night tour through the City of London areas, weaving the maze of back streets and the tube network would be our best bet and our 4-hour photo walk was very productive. We had great fun and it was a pleasure hanging out with you!

"I had a great time this evening! It was even better than I hoped. I felt comfortable with you right away - in addition to being a great photographer, you're very funny! Thanks for a memorable evening and the street photography tips!" Brian Miller

Reluctant to show off some of his own fine work, I thought I would do it on his behalf, because I think they're great! Here are some of his favourites....

Street Photography workshop



I spent the afternoon with a new student teaching them some street photography. For my tuition workshops I prefer 1-2-1 photo walks as I can really personalise the workshop to their exact wants and needs in learning. Helen was a great student - asking lots of questions and getting stuck in. We covered many areas of learning from overcoming her fear of getting shouted at, getting people to identify with her photos, improving her compositions to the varying styles of street such as portraiture to more compositional shots and making stronger images overall.

Its always good to see a student improve within a workshop. Helen got closer to subjects with each image and her confidence grew as the workshop went on.

I spent the afternoon with the immensely talented, award winning street photographer Linda Wisdom. We talked about everything from overcoming your fear of being shouted at, to getting others to identify with your images, to geometry in your scene.

I've not taken much street photography in my time but it appeals to me, perhaps because as a psychology grad I've always been interested in human behaviour.

Today has reinvigorated me to pound the street's at lunchtime scanning the scene for potential street blips. Who know's, I might even be brave enough to get in close.

Thanks for a fabulous afternoon shooting street Linda. Lots of fun

Want to schedule a 1-2-1 Street photography workshop? You can book here. There is a 15% discount for first time students!