Workshop Details

 THE PASSIONATE PHOTOGRAPHER – MÉRIDA: EVERYDAY STORIES

Documentary & Street Photography in Mérida & the Towns Around It

Dates: February 14 – 21, 2026

 Seven Days of Real Life, Real People, Real Moments

Base: Hotel Villa Mercedes Curio Collection by Hilton

About the Workshop

This is a working photographer’s week in Mérida—no festival, no spectacle, no costumes. Just the real, everyday life of a city and its surrounding towns, seen up close and photographed with respect.

We’ll use Mérida as our base to explore markets, neighborhoods, plazas, and small Yucatecan towns where life unfolds in public: people working, talking, worshipping, resting, playing. The focus is simple and demanding: tell honest stories with your camera, one human moment at a time.

Small group, lots of personal attention, and a mix of shooting, editing, and critique designed to push you past clichés and into deeper, more personal work.

Who This Workshop Is For

• Photographers who want to get closer to people and make more meaningful street and documentary images.

• Those ready to walk, sweat, and work hard for their pictures.

• Anyone who wants to build a cohesive body of work in a week, not just a folder of “hits.”

You don’t need to be an expert. You do need to be open, curious, and willing to step outside your comfort zone.

What We’ll Focus On

• Documentary storytelling in real-life situations – Markets, plazas, buses, cafés, churches, and quiet side streets.

• Working close, with respect – Approaching people, gaining permission (verbal or non-verbal), and reading the room.

• Rhythm, gesture, and timing – Catching those small, fleeting moments that carry emotional weight.

• Light as character – Early morning and late afternoon sessions when Mérida’s light carves shape and color out of the chaos.

• Editing with intention – Building a small, tight edit that actually says something, instead of trying to show everything.

Every day combines fieldwork with guided editing and critique. You’ll be pushed to shoot in volume, dig deeper, and come back with something real.

Each day blends hands-on shooting, insightful lectures, and constructive critique sessions, designed to help you deepen your skills and create work that resonates. You’ll photograph vibrant markets overflowing with flowers and sugar skulls, intimate moments of altar building in family homes, emotional rehearsals at dance schools, and grand cultural performances in the city’s plazas. Between shoots, we’ll savor Mérida’s exceptional cuisine at some of the city’s best restaurants and enjoy a warm, supportive environment where inspiration flows freely.

Whether you’re an emerging photographer or a seasoned visual storyteller, this workshop will push your creative boundaries, strengthen your technical skills, and leave you with an unforgettable portfolio — and memories to match.

When you sign up and are confirmed for the workshop, Steve will provide an assessment of your portfolio and a tech check to discuss your gear and the best ways to use it — regardless of brand. Together, you’ll make adjustments to maximize your speed of response, which may include back button autofocus, Auto ISO, easy exposure compensation, frame rate, and playback options. These best practices are designed to simplify your process, build your muscle memory, and free you to focus on the moment — increasing your success rate by letting the technical fade into the background during the workshop.

Why Mérida?

Mérida, the cultural heart of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is a city shaped by history, warmth, and the steady rhythm of daily life. Spanish colonial architecture lines its sunlit plazas, markets pulse with color and movement, and neighborhoods hum with routines that haven’t changed in generations. From weathered pastel facades to tree-lined boulevards alive with conversation, Mérida offers a rich, authentic backdrop for documentary photography. It’s a place where small human moments—quiet gestures, shared laughter, the flow of work and family life—become the stories worth telling.

As a base for our workshop, Mérida is ideal — walkable, safe, and bursting with photographic potential at every turn. By day, we’ll wander vibrant neighborhoods, from the grand mansions of Paseo de Montejo to the intimate markets of Santa Ana and Santiago. By night, the city glows with flickering candles, street performers, and the hum of celebration. Between shoots, we’ll enjoy world-class Yucatecan cuisine, from cochinita pibil and sopa de lima to modern twists on ancient flavors. Mérida is not just the backdrop for our photography — it’s a living, breathing subject that will inspire.                                    

Our carefully crafted 7-day itinerary keeps you in the center of real daily life, including:

• Early-morning shoots in markets, small towns, and traditional neighborhoods

• Documentary work in plazas, cafés, workshops, and public spaces

• Visits to art schools, cultural institutions, and community hubs

• Opportunities for honest, naturally occurring portraits in the flow of daily life

• Late-afternoon and evening sessions focused on light, mood, and human interaction

• Daily critique, editing, and lectures designed to sharpen your eye and strengthen your story

• Great meals and time together in Mérida’s vibrant food culture

This is more than a workshop — it’s a chance to slow down, look closely, and photograph a city as it truly is. Mérida gives us the opportunity to make images that feel lived-in and sincere. You won’t just document what’s in front of you — you’ll capture the quiet pulse of a place defined by community, rhythm, and warmth. Join us this January and create a body of work that reflects your own way of seeing.

Our Venue: Villa Mercedes, Curio Collection by Hilton — Mérida

About the Hotel 

Nestled in the heart of Mérida’s elegant Centro district, the Hotel Villa Mercedes, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a seamless blend of colonial charm and modern comfort. Its iconic blue-hued façade and restored architectural details set the tone for a stay marked by both style and convenience. Located about a 5-minute walk from Paseo de Montejo and the Yucatán International Convention Center, the hotel places you in the perfect spot for immersive exploration. 

Inside, you’ll find 127 rooms featuring plush pillow‑top beds, hypo‑allergenic bedding with Frette Italian sheets, free high-speed Wi‑Fi, minibar, coffee maker, and thoughtful touches like in‑room safes and bidets for added comfort. 

Amenities for Comfort & Convenience

• Dining: Enjoy on-site meals at the elegant El Centro restaurant or opt for room service—perfect for late-night editing sessions or relaxed meals after a full day of shooting.

• Relaxation & Fitness: Take a dip in the outdoor pool or stay active in the well-equipped fitness center.

• Business & Gathering Spaces: The hotel meeting room will be our place for post-shoot critiques, group discussions and lectures. 

• Service Highlights: 24-hour front desk, concierge service, laundry/dry cleaning, and strong multilingual staff support ensure a smooth, hassle-free stay.

Why It’s a Perfect Home Base for Photographers

This hotel will be our strategically placed, comfortable launchpad for our Mérida adventure. Villa Mercedes ensures that our workshop experience is focused on photography—not logistics. If you're feeling homesick, I hate to say it but there's a Starbucks, Walmart and McDonalds all within a five minute walk from the hotel. 

QUICK VIEW: Fast look at the week’s flow

Day 1: Arrive in Mérida, hotel check-in, evening orientation.

Day 2: Kanasín morning shoot; Parque La Plancha lunch; introductory lecture; evening walk in Centro Histórico.

Day 3: San Benito Market; lecture & critique; evening street photography along Calle 59/54.

Day 4: Umán small-town documentary work; afternoon edit; neighborhood session (Santiago, Chembech, or La Mejorada).

Day 5: Paseo de Montejo & Palacio Cantón; advanced edit; golden-hour shoot in La Plancha Park.

Day 6: Personal project day; final edit & sequencing; farewell dinner.

Day 7: Breakfast & departures.

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1 – Arrival & Orientation

Arrive in Mérida and check into your private room at the centrally located Hotel Villa Mercedes. Evening group meeting to introduce the week’s plan, discuss goals, and outline the approach to documentary work in everyday settings.

Meals: Dinner on your own.

Day 2 – Kanasín & Centro Histórico

Morning – Kanasín

A short drive takes us to Kanasín, a working-class town where mornings start early and life plays out in public: kids heading to school, vendors setting up, mototaxis buzzing through narrow streets. A perfect first immersion.

Lunch – Parque La Plancha

Relaxed lunch outdoors with time to discuss early impressions and the discipline of staying present in the scene.

Afternoon – Introductory Lecture at Hotel

A foundation session on approach, ethics, composition, and shooting in volume.

First download & light review.

Evening – Centro Histórico Walk

We hit the historic center at dusk and into early evening, photographing life along Calle 60, Plaza Grande, and side streets as people unwind after the workday.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch.

Day 3 – Markets & Evening Streets

Morning – San Benito Market

Photograph the pulse of Mérida waking up. Delivery trucks, vendors prepping food, families shopping, stall owners greeting regulars. A challenging and rewarding environment for close-range documentary work.

Lunch – Local Mérida Spot

Time to breathe, download cards, and prepare for critique.

Afternoon – Lecture & Critique

We review selected work from the first two days, talk sequencing, and refine your emerging direction.

Evening – Calle 59 & Calle 54 Corridor

A rich stretch of the Centro where light, architecture, and human movement come together. We’ll work with layering, timing, and building cleaner, more intentional frames.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4 – Umán & Neighborhood Life

Morning – Umán

Fifteen kilometers southwest of Mérida, Umán offers a quieter, deeply authentic look at daily Yucatecan life. The yellow church, the central plaza, the slow build of morning routines—everything here invites patient observation and storytelling.

Lunch – Local Eatery

Simple, honest Yucatecan food and time to discuss what it means to “work a town” instead of simply passing through.

Afternoon – Edit & Project Development

We begin shaping your week into themes.

What are you drawn to?

Where are the beginnings of a story?

What do you need more of?

Evening – Neighborhood Session

We choose one location—Santiago, Chembech Market, or La Mejorada—to work as the light softens. Each neighborhood offers its own rhythm: families, small parks, corner stores, conversations. The perfect setting for quiet, intimate documentary work.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 5 – Paseo de Montejo & Palacio Cantón

Morning – Paseo de Montejo

Mérida’s grand boulevard. Elegant mansions, commuters, runners, dog walkers, vendors, and the steady hum of a city in motion. We explore how to use space, geometry, and rhythm to frame human activity.

Late Morning – Palacio Cantón (Mayan Anthropological Museum)

Inside and outside this historic building, we work with light, symmetry, and the subtle interactions of visitors engaging with culture and history.

Lunch – Mérida Restaurant

Healthy recharge before a concentrated editing block.

Afternoon – Advanced Edit & One-on-Ones

We refine your strongest images, identify what your story is becoming, and set a purpose for the final shooting day.

Evening – La Plancha Park

Golden hour into evening: couples, families, skaters, students.

Relaxed energy, beautiful light, and endless small moments.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 6 – Personal Project & Farewell Dinner

Morning – Personal Assignment Day

You choose one direction—markets, neighborhoods, small towns, or a specific theme—based on your edit so far.

This is where your week becomes a cohesive body of work.

Lunch – Villa Mercedes

Quick break and final downloads.

Afternoon – Final Image Review & Sequencing

We build your finished set: a tight, meaningful sequence that reflects your voice and your response to Mérida.

Evening – Farewell Dinner

A relaxed final meal together to celebrate the week’s work, share stories, and talk about next steps in your photographic journey.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 7 – Departure

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Mérida International Airport.

Safe travels and keep shooting.

Meals: Breakfast.

Street Philosophies

Steve will guide you through powerful, practical street photography techniques designed to move you beyond your comfort zone and elevate your work. Drawing from a lifetime of photographing urban life around the world, he’ll share his philosophies on seeing, anticipating, and capturing the kinds of lyrical, poetic, and decisive moments that bring the streets to life.

This immersive workshop is about developing your unique vision and refining your personal street style. Through carefully designed assignments, you’ll push past fear and cliché, building the confidence to approach strangers, read a scene, and make images that communicate the rhythm and energy of the streets during the most photogenic week of the year in Mérida.

We’ll explore techniques for framing, juxtaposition, layering compositions, and working with light and color (or black & white) to best match your vision. You’ll also learn how to recognize “the rhythm of place,” navigate the laws and ethics of street photography, and handle challenging situations with sensitivity and respect. Most importantly, you’ll spend the bulk of your time shooting — sometimes alongside Steve, sometimes on your own — in the vibrant theatre of Mérida’s Day of the Dead celebrations.

This workshop welcomes photographers of all levels. The combination of expert guidance, targeted assignments, and the cultural richness of Día de los Muertos will give you both the skills and the inspiration to create your strongest work yet. To maximize your time on the ground, we’ll connect for both a pre-workshop session to prepare you for the experience and a post-workshop session to review, refine, and reflect on your images.

Street Tech – Simplifying the Tools, Maximizing the Moment

In Mérida, you’ll dive deep into “street-tech” with Steve, who will share his minimalist approach to gear and a streamlined shooting process designed to maximize your response time when those decisive moments appear. His own street kit includes the latest Nikon mirrorless cameras and a carefully chosen selection of lenses, but he’s fluent in all systems — from mirrorless, rangefinder, and DSLR setups to compact cameras and even smartphones. Whatever you bring, Steve will help you get the most out of it.

We’ll cover lenses, autofocus settings, zone focusing, shooting from the hip, using live view, flash, and other techniques to help you work faster and with greater intention. While gear matters, Steve will show you why the technical side is often the easiest part to master — and how focusing on the moment will dramatically improve your results. The skills you learn here won’t just apply to street photography; they’ll elevate your work in every genre.

Closing the Gap

This workshop is about narrowing the distance between where you are now and the photographer you know you can be. Each day, we’ll review your best images from the previous shoots in group critiques — a safe, supportive space where ideas are shared, suggestions are offered, and new ways of seeing emerge. These sessions are a cornerstone of the workshop, giving you direct, actionable feedback to push your work forward.

You’ll also be encouraged to explore a personal theme for the week, building toward a cohesive final portfolio and slideshow presentation. Assignments will challenge you to see differently, work outside your comfort zone, and develop your own visual voice. If time allows and there’s an interesting exhibition in town, we’ll make a visit to a local photography gallery to broaden your inspiration. And every day, between lectures, critiques, and immersive shooting sessions, you’ll be absorbing the energy and theater of Mérida’s streets during one of the most photogenic celebrations in the world.

Join us in Mérida this October, and let the spirit, color, and soul of Día de los Muertos transform your photography and the way you see the world.

Testimonials

Gary Niederpruem, Chicago

“What a fabulous experience. I learned more about photography in one week than I had in 5 years. Steve is very knowledgable about the technical side as well as composition. He is very patient, gives excellent feedback and will work one on one with you on any photography subject you want. I asked him for help on night photography and at 10 PM he was out on the streets of Havana with me with step by step instructions on how to take the shot. 5 star plus rating!!”

Anna Blanco, New York City

“Best workshop I’ve ever taken! Steve is not only a great photographer, he is also a terrific teacher. He is patient and very hands- on. In some workshops the instructor sends students out to shoot after a short lecture–Steve goes out with his students, coaching them throughout the process. His course is well organized and covers diverse topics. He is funny and engaging and generous with his time and knowledge. I had SO MUCH fun and am ready to sign up for the next one. Highly recommended!”

Anne Dunford, Ithaca, New York

"My week in Steve’s Street Shooting workshop challenged me tremendously. There’s nothing like taking your work apart and putting it back together with new vision to make you a better photographer. If you take this workshop, I guarantee you will see the world differently at the end."

Paul Lavergne, San Juan, PR

"Steve’s passion for photography is contagious and his teaching abilities and knowledge extraordinary! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography."

Chapman Solomon, Mountain View, CA

“Participating in the NYC Street Photography Workshop was an enriching and exhilarating experience. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to improve my skills. Steve’s curriculum and hands on approach offered me an opportunity to learn new techniques, add some creativity and visualize subject matter from another perspective. Each day presented abundant photo opportunities, resulting with the capture of some amazing images, exceeding my greatest expectations.”

Stephen Sholl, New York City

"Not only is Steve a great photographer, he is also a caring, compassionate person as well. He is constantly trying to help participants achieve their photographic goals in a gentle, caring, and sincere manner. Sadly, the critiques of my work were very helpful. Steve was right-on in terms of his suggestions to better my work. The totality of the workshop was terrific, primarily because the parts were all excellent as well. Choice of shooting locations, image reviews, suggestions, videos shown, and galleries visited were all great. Steve also promoted wonderful interactions among the participants. The venue was perfect for the workshop. We could spread out, leave your things there, use the facilities, and eat the goodies provided. You know you’re in good hands with Steve! An outstanding workshop!!"

Steve Lavelle, London

"This is an outstanding workshop, led by a world-class photographer. It is impossible to spend time in a room with Steve Simon and not be inspired to get out there and make great images …I had high expectations and you exceeded them…Steve is very personable, articulate and passionate about photography, very welcoming with a warm, engaging personality. Steve’s style is outstanding. I knew of Steve from the TWiP podcast and would have attended if he was talking about how to watch paint dry…”

Oscar Piñeyro, Dallas

"I just spent the last three days with Steve Simon, What a wonderful experience, the best time spent in a workshop ever. Steve is a perfectionist, every presentation not only had spectacular photography but also the perfect music to enhance the mood, a roller coaster of emotions. He cannot hide his journalistic background every single image tells a story. His technique is flawless; his teaching patience unparalleled. I am eager to start a new chapter of my photography applying what Steve taught me in the last few days."