I love how the art of noticing adds delight to my work and my life.
Some of my favorite moments with a camera don’t come during weddings or styled shoots—but on the street. Midday. In harsh light. With strangers passing by and a little voice inside whispering just click now.
This month, I’m leading a special Street Photography Workshop in Oceanside for a photography group—and it’s not just about taking better candid photos. It’s about unlocking a creative practice that will elevate everything you do. Whether you’re a portrait photographer, a travel documentarian, or an artist looking to reawaken your personal vision, street photography will teach you to notice more deeply and tell stronger stories.
Why Street Photography?
Street photography is a living time capsule. It documents how people move, how colors show up in real life, how light bounces off a sidewalk or into a stranger’s eyes. But more than that—it helps us slow down and fall in love with the everyday.
I often think: What if future humans could time-travel to 2024 through my photos? What would I want them to see?
In that spirit, this workshop is built around observation, intuition, and personal connection.
Oceanside Prompts & Practice
We'll start near the iconic pier, cameras in hand, and hearts open to serendipity. Here’s a taste of what participants will explore:
“You Can Call Me Al” Prompt
Channel the playful curiosity of Paul Simon’s classic song. Look for the unexpected: a stranger who seems like an old friend, a fleeting scene that feels like a music video still, a rhythm in the way someone walks or gestures.
Color Collecting Exercise
Choose one color—red, yellow, turquoise—and collect it visually across different subjects. By doing this, you’ll learn to shoot with intention, not just reaction.
Archetype Hunt
Find a subject that embodies a story role: The Flirt. The Outsider. The Philosopher. The Wanderer. Freeze that moment like a chapter in a book. Suddenly, the world is full of characters.
Two Modes of Observation
Mode 1: Choose a background. Wait. Let the moment unfold.
Mode 2: React quickly to what’s already in motion. Trust your instincts.
These two approaches sharpen your ability to compose and respond, and they train your eye for what matters most—human energy, harmony, tension, beauty.
📸 This is also where we explore two iconic styles of street photography: the decisive moment—think Cartier-Bresson, waiting patiently for the exact second when light, gesture, and geometry align—and the Humans of New York style, which leans into engagement, curiosity, and personal storytelling. Both have value. One is about capturing life’s rhythm unnoticed; the other, about connecting, asking questions, and letting the subject help write the story. During the workshop, you’ll get to experiment with both.
How It Helps Your Other Work
Even if you don't consider yourself a “street photographer,” this kind of practice expands your toolkit:
You'll become faster at reading light and adjusting settings on the fly.
You'll notice emotional nuance in fleeting expressions.
You'll build a vocabulary of visual metaphors and moments.
You'll start new collections—maybe even your next personal project.
Street photography makes you a better artist. Period.
Want to Go Deeper?
This workshop is just the beginning. I also offer:
Themed Day Retreats focused on visual storytelling and world-building.
Multi-Day Travel Workshops where we explore a city through color, narrative, and rhythm.
1:1 Mentorships for photographers ready to develop a signature voice.
I’m known for creating immersive learning spaces that combine art, intuition, and play. Each experience is different—because each student brings a new world to explore.
I’m so excited that this group is going to Come Wander With Me
Whether you're chasing red jackets, photographing people from a pier shadow, or composing your own street symphony inspired by song lyrics—I hope this post inspires you to hit the streets with a camera and a sense of curiosity.
Street photography isn’t just about documenting—it’s about discovering.
And when we do it together?
That’s when the magic happens.
📅 Ready to join me? Get on the waitlist for future courses at shewanders.com/creative-courses
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