Why You Definitely Don’t Need to Do Street Photography Workshops

Let’s get this out of the way: I’ve been on street photography workshops. I’ve taught them too. So I’m speaking from both sides of the lens when I say— people really don’t need to go on one.

The Street Photography Workshop Boom

Workshops are booming right now. Everyone and their dog seems to be offering them—often after just five minutes of picking up a camera and calling themselves a street photographer. And while some of them are genuinely well-meaning, the truth is this: most street photography workshops are about one thing—money. It’s one of the few ways a photographer can monetise street photography.

You pay to spend a weekend seeing how someone else shoots. That’s it. You’re effectively paying to walk the same streets, point your camera in similar directions, and maybe get a critique or two that mirrors that photographer’s own aesthetic biases. You don’t come away with some magic ability. You don’t suddenly “see” differently. You just understand how they see. That’s valuable only up to a point.

Just Do It

Here’s a better idea: figure out why you want to shoot street photography in the first place. What is it that draws you to the street? Is it the chaos? The quiet? The humour? The loneliness? The shapes? The people? Nail that down—and then shoot. Constantly. Religiously. Obsessively.

Because the real growth comes not from workshops, but from doing the work. Walking. Observing. Missing shots. Taking bad ones. Questioning what you like and why. Being brutally honest with yourself. Being your own harshest critic. You don’t need to stand around in a group of ten other people all raising cameras in unison to learn street photography. You just need to be out there, on your own, doing it again and again until you start to hear your own voice come through the frame.

Books Not Workshops

Instead of dropping hundreds on a weekend workshop, spend that money on books. Not gear—books. Books by the masters. Books that have stood the test of time. Books that show you what a personal vision actually looks like. Books that confuse you, frustrate you, thrill you. Books that stay in your mind long after you close them. That’s where the real education is.

So Just Get Yourself Out There

Of course, if you just want to spend a weekend hanging out with someone whose work you admire, go for it. But don’t mistake that for an essential step in becoming a better street photographer. You don’t need permission to shoot. You don’t need validation. And you definitely don’t need to fork out for a workshop to do it.

Go out. Shoot. Reflect. Repeat. That’s the only workshop you’ll ever really need.

Mouth Where The Money Isn’t

I realise this post may make me unpopular with some, but if others genuinely care about “helping” or “teaching” others, they’d do it for free.

So I’m going to put my mouth to where the money isn’t. If you’re ever around Weston-super-Mare or Bristol (or even London when I’m there) just send me a message and I’ll be happy to meet up wander, chat, snap and give you advice where you want it…all for FREE!

To receive updates and latest news direct to your inbox, please subscribe below. Thanks.