Camera Club Guest Speaker

The goal of this mini street photography workshop talk is to ignite inspiration among your members and get them truly excited about heading out with their cameras to explore the world around them. I’ll also be sharing some of my most effective, actionable tips to help them take their street photography to the next level, whether they’re beginners or more experienced shooters.

I’ll delve into the stories behind some of my favourite images (from Havana to Bangladesh), the moments that led up to them, the decisions I made in the moment, and how I managed to capture the emotion, atmosphere, or spontaneity of the scene.

This session is a lively blend of storytelling, creative inspiration, and hands-on, practical advice. The aim is for everyone to leave not only with new ideas and techniques, but also with a renewed passion for hitting the streets and seeing the world through a more curious, attentive lens.

The history of street photography over the past two centuries is nothing short of fascinating. It begins with what is considered the first photograph to ever capture a person (an unintentional street photo taken in 1838). From that moment, the genre has evolved into a powerful tool for observation, commentary, and artistic expression.

Throughout its history, street photography has revealed everyday life in extraordinary ways. From the groundbreaking social commentary of Robert Frank to the quietly profound images captured by Vivian Maier (a New York nanny whose remarkable body of work was only discovered after her death), street photography has consistently shown us the world through fresh and often deeply human perspectives.

One of the most compelling aspects of street photography is its ability to serve as a historical time capsule. These candid images allow us to peer into the past, offering insight into how people once lived, dressed, moved, and interacted. As a result, street photographs often grow more valuable and meaningful with time.

Personally, I’ve found endless inspiration in the work of the masters. Over the years, I’ve returned again and again to my growing collection of street photography books, learning from the vision and techniques of those who helped shape the genre.

In this talk, I’ll guide your members through the stories and images of some of the most influential and intriguing street photographers in history. The session is designed to be engaging, combining visual inspiration with fascinating behind-the-scenes insights into their lives and work. Street photography is a fun, creative, and ever-evolving art form, and that spirit is reflected in the delivery of this talk.

The world is brimming with vibrant, captivating, and deeply meaningful cultural celebrations, with each offering a unique window into the identity, values, and traditions of its people.

Street photography serves as a powerful medium for capturing the energy, emotion, and spontaneous moments that define these events. It allows us to go beyond the surface spectacle and explore the more intimate, often overlooked stories unfolding behind the scenes. Through the lens, we gain a richer, more personal understanding of these celebrations and the communities at their heart.

In this talk, I’ll take you on a visual journey through four remarkable cultural festivals from around the globe:
• Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico, a vibrant homage to ancestors filled with colour, symbolism, and deep spiritual meaning.
• Holi, the Hindu festival of colours celebrated in Nepal, known for its joyful chaos, vivid powders, and communal spirit.
• Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, where water becomes a playful yet meaningful symbol of renewal and purification.
• Notting Hill Carnival – One of Europe’s largest street festivals, celebrating Caribbean culture with music, dance, costumes, and an atmosphere of vibrant resistance and pride in the heart of London.

Join me as we explore how street photography can bring these extraordinary cultural expressions to life, revealing not just what they look like, but what they feel like from within.

Street photography is a powerful way to explore and connect with new places. It sharpens your awareness, encourages curiosity, and invites you to engage with the world in a more meaningful way. Whether you’re navigating a bustling market or a quiet alleyway, it offers a unique opportunity to observe daily life and interact with people you might never otherwise meet.

What makes this talk particularly special is its customisable format: you get to choose the four cities we explore together. The available locations span a diverse range of regions, including South America, Europe, Africa, and Central and Eastern Asia. Each offers its own distinctive atmosphere, stories, and visual character.

The session begins with a concise overview of the fundamentals of street photography, laying the groundwork for both newcomers and seasoned photographers. From there, we dive into the four selected cities. I’ll share a curated selection of my images, the stories behind how they were captured, and the cultural insights I gained along the way.

In addition to inspiration and storytelling, I’ll offer practical tips on shooting in these countries, touching on everything from camera settings and composition to dealing with different lighting, cultural sensitivities, and approaches to connecting with people on the street.

Some of the most significant breakthroughs in my photographic journey have come through having my work critiqued. Constructive feedback has challenged me, sharpened my eye, and helped me grow faster than any other form of learning. Recognising the value of this process, I now offer a Street Photography Critique Session as a dedicated talk for camera clubs.

How does it work?
Ahead of the session, your members are invited to submit 2–5 of their favourite street photographs (depending on the size of your club). During the talk, I begin with a short introduction to the core principles of street photography (what defines it, why it matters, and how we can approach it creatively and thoughtfully).

Next, I introduce the framework I use to evaluate images: a combination of compositional theory, emotional impact, timing, storytelling, and context. This gives everyone a shared understanding of what I look for in a strong street photo.

The main part of the session is then dedicated to going through the submitted images one by one. For each photo, I offer clear, honest, and constructive feedback, highlighting both what’s working well and where there’s room for improvement. The goal is always to encourage and inspire, never to discourage, while helping participants see their work through a fresh, more critical lens.

This talk is interactive, insightful, and highly tailored to your club. It’s a fantastic opportunity for members to learn not just from their own feedback, but also from the work and experiences of their peers.