Explore the City
NYC Street Photography Workshops
• Group Workshops, Private Tours, Classes & Online Education
• Photography Education Mixed with City History
• Beginner to Advanced
New group workshop dates coming soon.
Weekend group workshops run a handful of times a year, exploring the most interesting corners of the city — downtown’s SoHo, Lower East Side, and Chinatown especially, as well as Coney Island. Join the list and you’ll be the first to hear when the next dates open.
Recent workshops — sold out — October 2025 · May 2025
Prefer a private tour? Available any day of the year.
Learn More:
Welcome!
If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you’re interested in taking a photography class or workshop around New York City.
Hopefully, I’m the person you choose to help you explore the city in depth and to improve your skills and comfort level!
Background: I’ve been a professional photographer since 2005, I’ve been photographing New York daily since 2002, and I’ve run a NY street photography workshop business since 2010. I am also a certified history guide and NYC documentarian. I’ve written three books on photography, including The Essentials of Street Photography, with a fourth on the way, and I write the twice-monthly Glass City column, read by 13,000 subscribers. Since 2010 I’ve taught these streets to hundreds of photographers — first-camera beginners through working pros. I grew up in the city, and I’m a huge NY Knicks and dumpling fan and I suck at driving, as a true Manhattanite should.
I love both street photography (view my work) and cityscape photography (view my work), so we can tailor a workshop to your particular interests.
Watch at mini documentary about James’ work:
Reviews
I leaned toward photography as a hobby because it helped capture memories from the countries I've been able to visit, but also to see the world around me more thoroughly, more carefully. I needed a nudge to start taking street photographs. James provided that nudge.
Private Daily or Weekend Groups
Private Street Photography Tours:
These tours are daily and customizable to your interests and needs, although I have some very popular tour routes which will take you to incredibly interesting and unique off-the-beaten-path areas of the city.
As a certified tour guide, I mix in the history of the areas we visit with photography education for people of all skills levels. I’ve taught many complete beginners to overcome their fears along with advanced photographers looking for new perspectives, tips, and great locations to explore. And if your significant other or friend would like to tag along, I’ve taught a ton of history to non-photographers.
Read more, read my reviews, and then contact me with any questions you might have.
Group Street Photography Workshops:
These are planned a handful of times a year for a group of 8 to 10 people from around the world to come together in New York. It’s a wonderful experience meeting and bonding with different photographers and perspectives from all over—each time feels like a new family.
The photography workshops typically begin with a 90-minute classroom session, covering beginner and advanced street photography. Some workshops will include editing sessions or days and some will include night street photography sessions. Each workshop will have a different mix so make sure to read the details before you sign up.
Read more, read my reviews, and then contact me with any questions you might have.
Most Popular Private Routes
Downtown Route
My most popular workshop captures the energy of downtown New York. It begins on Broadway and Houston, heads south through SoHo, exploring Canal Street, Cortlandt Alley, the City Hall District, and Chinatown (optional addition of the Manhattan Bridge or Lower East Side).
While there are iconic views, this is less of the iconic ‘Chrysler Building’ skyscraper New York, instead focusing on beautiful old buildings, incredible street photography with some of the most interesting people in the city, graffiti, colored walls, incredible alleys, gambling Chinese men and women in Columbus Park, and much more.
The wide variety of inspiration on this route makes it an ideal walking tour — and ideal for teaching.
Midtown Route
My second most popular tour is the ‘iconic’ and ‘famous’ New York. It begins by exploring Central Park, the Mall, the Lake, Bow Bridge, the Pond, Bethesda Terrace, Sheep Meadow, Gapstow Bridge, and Cat Rock, with some of the most beautiful views in New York, as well as ample opportunity to people watch.
We then head down 5th avenue for some Winogrand and Cunningham-eque street photography, exploring Rockefeller Center, the Diamond District, and ending with Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, Grand Central and the Chrysler Building.
Brooklyn Route
I have a new popular route which focuses on Brooklyn’s industrial waterfront.
We begin by exploring the grand Greenwood Cemetery, the highest point in Brooklyn—one of the most beautiful places in New York with fantastic views of the city.
We then walk to the Sunset Park waterfront, a spectacular beat-up and beautiful area of old factories of all types, old buildings, quirky things, a defunct railway, the car repair district, Industry City, and a gorgeous waterfront with incredible views of Manhattan (and a great waterfront Park to see them from).
Dates & Formats
Private workshops run year-round, any day — you pick the date and time, I build the route around you. $350 for three hours, up to six people.
Group workshops run a few times a year. Next group workshop: May, 2027 — details and sign-up here. Groups are kept small and sell out; the Glass City newsletter gets first notice of new dates.
Gallery
The Curriculum — What You Can Learn in a Street Photography Class With Me
Every session is customized, but here’s the spine of the three hours:
The foundations
- Photography basics — camera settings if you’re just starting out
- The best locations to photograph the true spirit of the city, from off-the-beaten path ro iconic buildings, landmarks, and cityscapes
- The best spots for photographing people on the street
The craft
- Street photography technique — the tricks for close-up, candid portraits
- Light and composition — seeing and building a stronger frame
- Gesture, expression, and emotion — capturing the moment and nuance within your photography
- Street portraiture — approaching strangers with confidence
The city and the eye
- The history of the great street photographers — we can talk about photographers, books, and photography history
- Reading the city — its history, its layers, and the ideas beneath the image
And, of course, everything is tailored to your skill level and what you want to learn. Beginners get more of the foundations; advanced photographers get pushed on projects, editing, and the subtler aspects of the genre. Bring any camera — from phone to Leica.
Areas covered
While each workshop is different, the most popular neighborhoods covered are SoHo, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, Central Park, Midtown, the Manhattan Bridge, the Brooklyn Waterfront, Coney Island, Bushwick, Williamsburg, the City Hall District, and Nolita/Little Italy.
Now let’s talk about you
What do you like to shoot? What would you like to improve? What do you want to see and photograph when you come to New York? Why type of prints would you like to return from your trip with?
Let’s talk further. My favorite part of this job is getting to know photographers from all over the world!
Ready to explore New York with your camera?
Book a private tour anytime — or join the list for the next group workshop dates.
Contact to book: [email protected]
Or select a workshop type for more info:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your workshops beginner friendly?
I do workshops with everyone from groups of teenagers to more seasoned photographers. From people with iPhones, showing how to work brand new cameras, or with more advanced photographers looking for a detailed tour.
All levels are welcome—I tailor the route and coaching to your experience and interests.
Do you offer private tours?
Yes. Choose a one-on-one private session (fully customized) tour. Bring your friends and family or go solo. See: Private Street Photography Workshops in NYC.
How long is a typical session?
Most private sessions run up to 3 hours; small group workshops are up to 4–5 hours; weekend group workshops are two (or three) days, 9:30am–5pm.
Which neighborhoods do you cover?
Common routes include SoHo, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, City Hall, Midtown, Central Park, and Brooklyn options are available.
Do you teach street photography specifically?
Yes. I’m a lifelong street photographer, educator, photo book hound, and NYC history guide. I typically blend all of these together into my workshops; I’ll tailor the amount of street photography education and focus to your interests and needs.
Is there a night street photography option?
Yes. I love photographing the city at night; there are few things more relaxing and inspiring. Night workshops are available and fantastic for learning to handle low light, color, and motion. We’ll balance safe, lively areas with interesting light.
Do you offer photography classes in NYC?
Yes — my workshops function as hands-on photography classes, whether you’re brand new to a camera or refining your street photography skills. Rather than a classroom, we shoot live around the city, with real-time guidance mixed with NYC history along the way. See private and group options below.
Is this a photography class or a photo tour?
Both, honestly — it’s a hands-on photography class taught on the move through the best streets in New York. You’ll learn technique, light, and composition like a class; you’ll see SoHo, Chinatown, or Brooklyn’s waterfront like a tour. What it isn’t is a lecture — you shoot the entire time.
What should I bring?
Any camera (phone to pro), a charged battery, an empty memory card, and comfortable shoes. No need for a tripod unless specifically recommended. The goal is to travel light.
Will we review images and get feedback?
For an additional $50 fee, I will review your top 20 images from the day in a written and detailed way. Expect in-the-field coaching. Longer critiques can be added on request.
What if it rains?
Light rain is amazing to shoot in, but heavy rain sucks. I’ll contact you in the week of the workshop to review the weather and am very flexible with cancellations, reschedules, and refunds. While I love shooting in the rain, you don’t have to.
How big are the groups?
Small group workshops are typically 4–5 people. Large groups are 8–10 and use class time and strategies to separate so that we can photograph on our own or with one another, and for me to get lots of individual time with everyone.
Private one-on-one sessions are available any time.
How much does it cost?
Rates vary by private vs. group, duration, and customization. Please see the Private and Group workshop pages for current pricing, or email for a quick quote.
Is the workshop accessible?
Yes, but please alert me in advance to your mobility needs—although I know the areas so well that I am good at pivoting in the moment. We can plan slower routes, shorter distances, and more seated pauses or coffee breaks.
