June 19-21, 2026: The Mermaid Parade Street Photography Workshop — NYC with Steve Simon

A Street Photography Adventure You Won’t Forget

Join award-winning street photographer Steve Simon for a powerful 3-day masterclass timed around one of New York City’s wildest and most visually rich events—the Coney Island Mermaid Parade.

You’ll spend a long weekend immersed in the streets of New York, chasing the rhythm, energy, and surprises the city has to offer—with full access to the outrageous, one-of-a-kind Mermaid Parade.

This is a focused, small-group experience built around shooting, learning, and growing. With just 8 students, you’ll get one-on-one feedback, full group support, and the time and space you need to make serious photographic progress.

Before we meet in person, you’ll have a private Zoom portfolio review and a group session to prep your gear, mindset, and approach. That way, when you’re here, you hit the ground running.

We’ll photograph iconic neighborhoods like Times Square, Chinatown, Harlem, the Brooklyn Bridge, Union Square, Washington Square Park, and some of Steve’s favorite off-the-beaten-path locations. The weekend builds toward our highlight: shooting credentials for the Mermaid Parade staging area at Coney Island.

The Mermaid Parade: A Photographer’s Dream

Since 1983, the Mermaid Parade has marked the start of summer with a sea of glitter, satire, skin, scales, and street theatre. It’s a living, breathing homage to the old Coney Island Mardi Gras of the early 1900s—reborn as a freewheeling public art show open to all.

Thousands descend on the boardwalk in hand-made costumes, marching bands play, dancers swirl, mermen and mermaids pose, and the streets overflow with the kind of unpredictable energy street photographers dream about.

Thanks to our photographer access passes, you’ll be right in the staging area—where the best pictures happen. Up close and personal. Candid. Human. Real. You’ll shoot before the crowds arrive, as people get ready, make last-minute adjustments, and become their characters.

It’s not just about costumes. It’s about moments. And you’ll be there to capture them.

Shoot With Purpose

This workshop isn’t about shooting everything that moves. It’s about slowing down, building your eye, and shooting with intention. You’ll get street assignments designed to challenge you, break habits, and deepen your way of seeing. You’ll be encouraged to follow a theme for your final project, and we’ll review your work together each day.

We’ll talk about finding your rhythm on the street. About patience. About getting close. About capturing layered, decisive moments that say something about the place, the people, and the time we’re in.

Street Philosophy Meets Street Tech

We’ll talk gear—what helps, what gets in the way, and how to simplify. Steve will walk you through his personal shooting setup with the Nikon Z mirrorless system, and offer practical tips for using whatever gear you bring—whether it’s a DSLR, mirrorless, compact, or your phone.

You’ll cover autofocus setups, lenses, zone focusing, live view, shooting from the hip, working with flash, and more. But always in service of the image, never for the sake of tech alone.

Inspiring, Supportive, Honest Feedback

Each day includes a classroom session with edits, critiques, and honest conversation about your work. We’ll look at what’s working and what can be pushed further. The atmosphere is always constructive and supportive—this is a safe space to try new things, take risks, and grow.

We’ll also visit a NYC photography gallery and talk about sequencing, themes, and visual storytelling.

You’ll Leave With

• A powerful set of images from one of the most dynamic weekends NYC offers

• A deeper understanding of your own photographic voice

• A fresh set of street strategies and tools

• A community of like-minded photographers

• And a whole lot of great memories from the Mermaid Parade and beyond

Come curious. Leave changed.

Our Venue:

NYC Seminar & Conference Center 

114 West 26th Street 3rd Floor New York, NY 10001

646.336.4455

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 our 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."