with Steve Simon
Choose a place you want to photograph and the work you want to do. We’ll build a private workshop around your interests, with preparation before we meet and an online critique afterwards.
Plan Your Workshop
A workshop can begin with a place you have always wanted to photograph, a project you want to move forward, or a question about your work that deserves more time. Rather than fitting those interests into a fixed group itinerary, we’ll shape the experience around them.
Join me in New York, choose another destination, or invite me to work with you closer to home. We’ll agree on the dates, length and focus together, from a single-day intensive to several days or a week of photography. I’ll research the locations and plan an itinerary that makes good use of our time.
The starting point is a conversation. Tell me what you enjoy photographing, where you feel stuck and what you would like to understand better. Experienced photographers can use the time to work through more specific questions, while those newer to photography can build confidence with patient, practical guidance. A genuine interest in making photographs matters more than the camera you bring.
New York can be our starting point, but it doesn’t have to be. We can work in a city already on my workshop itinerary, explore somewhere new, or photograph where you live. The location should give us opportunities that relate to your interests, with room to follow the light and respond to what we find.
Perhaps you want to become more comfortable photographing people, tell a clearer story, or understand why some pictures work and others don’t. We’ll identify the questions that matter to you and build the teaching around them. Shooting, conversation and editing give us different ways to work on those questions rather than relying on a single approach.
Work one-to-one with me, or bring a small group of up to four photographers. We’ll agree on a duration and rhythm that suit the work, balancing time with a camera and time to look closely at the results. The plan can be intensive without losing the pleasure of being out there, paying attention and making discoveries.
Before we meet in person, we’ll have an online meeting and lecture to discuss your goals, the itinerary and practical arrangements. We’ll also do a tech check, looking at your equipment and settings so you arrive ready to photograph. A local guide can join the planning conversation when one is involved.
In the field, I’ll work alongside you with hands-on guidance and time for questions as situations unfold. We’ll look at how you respond to people, light and gesture, and how your decisions change the photograph. The itinerary and teaching will reflect the focus we have agreed on, not a checklist of places to rush through.
After the workshop, we’ll meet online for a critique and lecture. We’ll look at the photographs you made, discuss what worked and consider what you might try next. This is time to connect the shooting experience with the finished images and carry those discoveries into your future work. Further sessions can be arranged separately.
The aim is to help you make photographs that feel more like your own. Depending on your interests, we can work on approaching people, overcoming hesitation, recognizing gesture, finding relationships within a frame and staying with a scene long enough for something to happen.
We’ll also talk about the less technical questions: finding a direction, working through creative blocks and recognizing what keeps drawing your attention. A private workshop gives us room to follow those questions as they emerge.
A simpler shooting process can help you respond more quickly when a moment presents itself. We’ll look at the equipment you use and the settings that get in your way, whatever camera system you bring.
Our tech check can cover autofocus and back-button focus, Auto ISO, exposure compensation, frame rate and playback settings. The point is not to add complications. It is to build familiarity and muscle memory so the technical decisions take less of your attention while you photograph.
If night photography is one of your interests, we can make it part of the plan. We’ll look at how changing light affects the atmosphere of a place and the choices you make with your camera. The timing and locations will be agreed as we develop your itinerary.
Looking at the work is as important as making it. Through honest, constructive feedback, we’ll consider your strongest images, what they communicate and how they might work together as a story or portfolio.
We can also build your Lightroom Classic skills or refine your overall workflow, from organizing and processing photographs to creating a reliable backup plan. There will be room to question decisions, try another sequence and see what becomes clearer when you return to the photographs with a little distance. The post-workshop online session continues that conversation after our time in the field.
The destination, dates and daily schedule are arranged with you and are subject to availability. Once we have a proposed itinerary, we’ll discuss meeting points, equipment and travel arrangements before you commit.
Plan to arrange your own travel to and from the workshop destination. For workshops outside New York City, we’ll plan our accommodation together, choosing a base that makes sense for the itinerary. Local transportation, meals, museum or gallery admissions and any local guide will be discussed in the proposal, so you know what is and isn’t included.
There is no fixed hotel or route. If you’re bringing a small group, we’ll use our pre-workshop Zoom meetings to talk individually and together about what each person hopes to work on. From those conversations, we’ll shape an itinerary that gives everyone room to pursue their interests while making the most of our time together.
These photographs come from different places and projects. They offer a sense of the attention to people, light and everyday life we can bring to your own workshop.
All Photographs ©Steve Simon
Steve Simon is a documentary and street photographer, educator and the author of five photography books, including The Passionate Photographer. He has photographed on assignment in more than 40 countries, with work appearing in The New York Times Magazine, Time, Mother Jones, Le Monde, Life and other publications.
His photographs have been exhibited in New York, Toronto, Montréal and Buenos Aires, and at Visa Pour l’Image in Perpignan, France. The 9/11 Memorial Museum acquired the complete set of prints from Empty Sky for its permanent collection.
Steve has taught at the International Center of Photography and the School of Visual Arts in New York and leads workshops around the world. His teaching combines time photographing in the field with careful editing, candid critique and a personal interest in what each photographer is trying to do.
Experiences from past workshops, book projects and private mentoring with Steve.
While putting together my street photography book, I felt I needed an editor that I could trust because I knew they would be helping me with my decision-making process. I was familiar with Steve Simon because I used to listen to ‘This Week In Photography’ religiously when I first started getting into taking pictures. He was my favorite personality on the show because he always seemed to have such a thoughtful and empathetic angle to the topics of the day. That lead me to read his book, “The Passionate Photographer,” (also great) and I have tried to incorporate what I learned from it into my approach as an artist.
Tony LeRead the full testimonial
Finally, it was Steve’s eye and impressive work as a street photographer himself that solidified my choice to use him as a consultant for my project.
I’m so glad that I did! Steve was as gracious and thoughtful as I always imagined he would be. He was able to look at my work and shake up how I viewed it. I told him all sorts of wild theories and wonky philosophies about how I saw my work, and he as able to sort through all the fluff and get me to focus on the core of my message. He did this with sensitivity and tact.
And through it all, he was more amiable and responsive as I could have reasonably expected. I ended up paying for five separate sessions because his input was that valuable. Our conversations allowed me to save countless hours debating random minutiae with myself (that would have probably ended up nowhere and being a big waste of time), and our time together fostered an accelerated growth in me as an artist. In less than a month of interaction, I feel like I am in an entirely different place as a photographer, and I feel that Steve is a significant reason for that.
I can’t recommend Steve highly enough!
I started working with Steve because I wanted to move from making individual pictures to working on photographic projects. Our first couple of sessions had an immediate impact on my photography in two ways. First, Steve looked at a sample of my work, selected several strong images, and showed me what made them work. We also talked about the images that didn’t work as well. We dug into my picture making process and explored what I could do differently to increase the number of strong images I make. The sessions are interactive, so I can ask questions to be sure I understand Steve’s feedback. Second, Steve looked at the strong images as a group and showed me how they could be the start of a coherent body of work.
Larry FeltonRead the full testimonial
I really appreciate that he helped me begin to identify and develop my personal vision. HIs questions and comments helped me sharpen the focus on what my project can be. In each session, Steve’s thoughtful suggestions and encouragement are helping me make steady progress on my goal of being a better photographer.
Steve Simon is a gifted instructor and also has the amazing ability to help you understand what you have unconsciously captured but may not have seen. You can then embrace that visual voice/style with direction and clarity. He is genuine and focused on your growth as a photographer … which is why I and so many others come back to his workshops and mentoring sessions.
Denise Pensky
It is said that people tend to emotionally support and defend that which they have created. Nowhere is that truer than for photographers in the pursuit of intended audiences for their photographs. We can subconsciously become prejudiced arbitrators when it comes to evaluating, editing, selecting and sequencing our own images. The private mentorship and critique sessions I’ve participated in with Steve Simon have been invaluable in helping me to cast off the emotional baggage attached to my photos allowing me to see them as they are and how they may relate to each other to form coherent collections greater than the sum of their parts.
Owen Seidenberg
I would never be where I am professionally without great mentoring. Thus, I knew the very best way for the quality of my photography to progress was to find an exceptional photographer as a mentor. Steve Simon has delivered big time…..with insight, skill, incredible editing ability and, of course, passion for the art. Give him a try, it is a great investment.
Jeff Carson
I participated in one of Steve’s Havana workshops, and recently had a online zoom discussion with him. He has a comprehensive knowledge of Nikon’s equipment as well as the best photographic techniques to capture great images. Moreover, he is an easy and fun guy to talk with because, clearly, he is genuinely interested in helping others enjoy photography.
Stephen Handley
“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!!”
Gary Niederpruem, Chicago
“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!”
Anna Blanco, New York City
"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."
Anne Dunford, Ithaca, New York
"Steve’s passion for photography is contagious and his teaching abilities and knowledge extraordinary! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography."
Paul Lavergne, San Juan, PR
“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.”
Chapman Solomon, Mountain View, CA
"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.
Stephen Sholl, New York CityRead the full testimonial
You know you’re in good hands with Steve! An outstanding workshop!"
"This is an outstanding workshop. 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…”
Steve Lavelle, London
"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."
Oscar Piñeyro, Dallas
Tell me where you would like to photograph, your preferred dates, how much time you have and what you want to work on. If you have a small group in mind, include the number of photographers.
I’ll use that conversation to shape a proposed workshop and quote. The itinerary, inclusions and payment and cancellation terms will be confirmed before you book.
A workshop built around your plans
Start with an inquiry. No payment is taken on this page.
No. New York is Steve’s home base, but you can propose another destination or arrange to work closer to where you live. The location, dates and practical arrangements need to be agreed together.
Yes. The workshop is primarily designed for one-to-one mentorship, with small groups of up to four photographers available by arrangement. Tell Steve about the group when you inquire.
From a single-day intensive to several days or a week, we’ll discuss the time available and the work you want to do before settling on a schedule.
Yes. A pre-workshop online meeting and lecture prepares you for the experience, and a post-workshop online critique and lecture helps you learn from the photographs you make. Additional follow-up sessions can be arranged separately.
All levels can benefit. Experienced photographers can bring specific creative or technical questions, while newer photographers can work on confidence and camera handling. The teaching is shaped around your starting point and interests.
There is no single published tuition because the destination, duration and group size vary. You’ll receive an individual proposal that confirms the fee, inclusions and payment and cancellation terms before booking.
Bring a destination, a project or simply a question about your photography. We’ll start there.
Plan Your Workshop