Street Photography Workshops & Courses
Hi, I’m Matt Badenoch, a Street Photographer & Educator based in the cultural mixing pot that is London (UK). I design and run immersive street photography workshops and courses across the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
For the past decade, Street Photography has been my passion. An art form that documents humanity in its rich and diverse range, which trains you to see the world in a more beautiful and fascinating light. It has made my life richer in many ways, which is why I want to share it with you.
On my workshops, through a mix of theory, practical assignments and critique, you will learn the craft of street photography and the ability to see and capture the extraordinary in the everyday. I will also help you overcome any fears of shooting in public and teach you how to do street with respect for your subjects. My multi-day workshops will immerse you in the culture, creating a unique experience you will never forget.
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What is Street Photography?
Street photography at its essence means candid photography of humanity.
There are quite a few definitions of street photography out there, but this is my favourite because it best reflects my relationship with the art form – seeing more and connecting more with the world around me.
Street photography is also about discovering magic in the everyday. If you look at most visually impactful street images, they were taken in very ordinary scenes; where the majority of people see nothing special, the street photographer has spotted magic.
To qualify as street photography, a photo needs to be candid, to include people or a human element and be taken in a public space. While street photography can seem intimidating, a big focus of my workshops is on overcoming the fear of shooting in public and photographing subjects with respect.
Why Do Street Photography?
There are many reasons to do Street Photography. Here are 5 of my main ones.
SEE MORE
Exploring the streets with your camera trains your eye to see and notice more of the world around you. This makes a simple walk to work or bus ride a more interesting experience (even without your camera). It’s like seeing in colour for the first time.
CREATIVE FREEDOM
The streets are filled with characters, stories, colours, light and so much more. It is a true playground for creativity with your camera. I’ve also found it to be a great headspace to mentally recharge; plus I’ve learnt a lot about myself by reflecting on the images I am drawn to.
HONE YOUR SKILLS
Street is arguably one of the hardest photography genres there is, with so many variables outside of your control. This makes it a fantastic opportunity to practice new techniques and disciplines which will take your photography skills, relevant for other genres, to whole new levels.
CONNECT MORE
The camera is a great icebreaker for starting conversations with strangers (something I am far from a natural at). I’ve enjoyed many fascinating exchanges with people that usually I would not interacted with. Everyone has a story and the level of hospitality I have experienced at times has been inspiring.
HAVE ADVENTURES
With a passion to travel long before I picked up my first camera, I’ve found Street Photography to be the best way to explore places (my second favourite way is through my stomach, but that’s another story). I have endless stories of experiences and adventures that are a result of my apporach to Street Photography.
What to Expect from a Street with Matt Workshop?
At the heart of my workshops and courses is the goal of helping you grow as a photographer. I’ve long held the belief that teaching is most effective when the content is made relevant to the individual. This is why all of my workshops are limited to 6 people, allowing for plenty of 1-2-1 time to tailor the content to people’s unique goals, interests and challenges, both on the street shooting and in reviewing your images. This also makes them suitable for all skill levels.
These workshops aren’t relaxing holidays in the sun. The days will be full and focused and you’ll be encouraged to push yourself creatively and step outside your comfort zone. However, the rewards, both in terms of your growth as a photographer and the richness of the experience, will be more than worth it.
The vibe of the workshops is always positive and supportive as I encourage you to be playful, curious and imaginative with your photo-taking (a mindset I believe best suits Street Photography).
My workshops range from 1-day workshops in London to week-long adventures on the other side of the world. For the longer courses, I always bring in a local street photographer to give a presentation and spend the day with us; offering you an important local perspective.
I hope you can join us for some Street Photography Adventures!
Workshop Testimonials
“Matt creates a great feel-good atmosphere with his patient and humorous manner, which makes learning easier and his honest criticism was constructive at all times.” – Nadine Lotze
“I’ve been doing street photography for a long time and thought I knew quite a lot but Matt taught me so much more. He is patient, kind, caring and knowledgeable and his method of teaching is suitable for all types of learners.” – Philip Wark
“Getting a glimpse into Matt’s mind and how he visualises the world before creating the picture is fascinating.” – Carla Banc
“Matt really gives you the confidence to go out there and shoot street, which I’d never done before, at all.” – Alan Law
“Matt’s depth of knowledge and passion for street photography makes him a ridiculously inspiring & talented educator. His morals & ethics also shine through in his street teachings.” – Kevin Kheffache
“The information Matt provided was so valuable and I could transfer the new knowledge far beyond photography and it already helped me a lot in my daily life.” – Ludmilla Parsyak
“I felt refreshed and left itching to apply what I had learned in my future photography.” – Soven Amatya
“Thanks Matt! You’re a fountain of knowledge and the streets are definitely the photographer’s best playground!” – Becky Wood
Street Photography Galleries
[All Photos by Matt]
FAQs for Street with Matt Workshops
What is included in the workshop price?
- Myself as an instructor with over a decade of experience photographing street photography around the world, across 5 different continents.
- Several 1-2-1 mentoring and critique sessions with me during the workshop.
- A chance to meet and share experiences with light-minded interesting people.
You will be responsible for paying for your own expenses (travel, accommodation, meals etc).
How many people will be on each workshop?
All my workshops are limited to 6 attendees. The smaller number allows us to blend in more with our environment on the streets when we’ve got our cameras out. It also allows me to target the content more towards your ability, especially during the 1-2-1s.
What gear do you recommend for street photography?
When it comes to gear with street photography, less is generally more. So I always recommend one body and one prime lens. It’s also good to have a relatively wide lens. Personally, I always shoot with a 35mm or 28mm prime lens (full frame). The quality of the lens isn’t as important. You can even do street with your smartphone’s camera.
What if I have to cancel?
Any payments made towards the workshop are non-refundable. However, if we are able to find a replacement for your spot, then you will receive a full refund (minus any charge fees).
Which workshop is right for me given my skill level?
My workshops are great for all skill levels. With only 6 people per workshop, you will receive a significant amount of 1-2-1 time with me. The only requirement for attending this workshop is that you are comfortable using the camera you bring to the workshop.
Who runs the Street Photography workshops?
All Street with Matt workshops are run by myself (Matt).