Street Portrait - The Art of Approach
Why photograph someone you don't know?
For more than twenty years I have approached and photographed people on the streets of London. Over time, I have realised that the most important part of this kind of photography isn't technical. It happens before the camera is raised.
Why did I notice this person?
Why do I want to photograph them?
And why am I willing to cross that distance between us?
The Art of Approach is a workshop about those questions. There is no script for approaching a stranger. My way of doing it may not be yours -and it shouldn't have to be. Instead, I will share what I have learned through hundreds of encounters: hesitation and confidence, rejection and uncertainty, conversation and distance - and how to remain present enough to recognise when an encounter can become a portrait.
What we'll explore
Why we notice certain people -and what that might tell us about ourselves.
How to prepare mentally for the approach.
Confidence, rejection and uncertainty.
How presence, distance and conversation affect the portrait.
When to direct, when to listen and when to let something happen.
Why a successful approach is not necessarily a successful portrait.
What we'll do
We begin with a conversation about the psychology of approaching strangers, using encounters and photographs from my own work.Then we take those ideas onto the streets of Soho, Camden or Brick Lane. You will have the opportunity to approach and photograph people in your own way, followed by a review of the encounters and the photographs.
We won't only ask whether you made a good photograph.
Why did you stop for this person?
What happened between you?
Did the photograph contain what made you stop in the first place?
After the workshop
You won't leave with a formula for approaching strangers. You will leave with a better understanding of why you approach, how to prepare for what might happen, and the confidence to find your own way.
PRIVATE OR SMALL GROUP
3-hour workshop
1:1 private session: £250
Small group (2–4 participants): £150 per person
Booking & Cancellation
Full payment confirms your place on the workshop.
If your plans change, you can cancel for a full refund up to 7 days before the workshop.If you need to reschedule a private 1:1 workshop, please give at least 48 hours' notice and we can arrange another available date. Cancellations or requests to reschedule within 48 hours are non-refundable.
For small-group workshops, your booking is for an individual place and cannot normally be rescheduled. If you cancel more than 7 days before the workshop, you will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days are non-refundable. You are welcome to transfer your place to someone else -just let me know beforehand.
Street portraiture is unpredictable -and so is London weather. If conditions make the workshop impractical, the workshop will be rescheduled at no additional cost. If I need to cancel a workshop and an alternative date cannot be agreed, you will receive a full refund.
Please bring your own camera and any equipment you would like to use. Participants are responsible for their own equipment and personal belongings during the workshop.
