Ann Seymour (no relation) joined me for a street photography workshop in Venice and generously offered to share her experience. Her account gives a first-hand perspective on what it is like to join a small-group Venice photography workshop, from photographing the streets and quieter corners of the city to the guidance, learning and experience of travelling together.
What follows is Ann’s own account of our Streets of Venice Photography Workshop
A Transformative Venice Photography Workshop with Mark Seymour
I had never thought about joining a photography travel workshop before, but after a strong recommendation from a fellow photographer, I decided to explore the idea. Following the passing of my mother, I knew it was time to do something just for myself, an experience that would inspire me both personally and creatively.
As a photographer, I often find myself on a “busman’s holiday”, always capturing images but rarely taking the time to truly immerse myself in the moment. When I saw that Venice, a city I had dreamed of visiting for years, was an option for a guided photography workshop, I knew this was the perfect opportunity. It was time to step out of my routine, refine my skills and experience a destination I had always longed to explore through my lens.
What sealed the deal? The Streets of Venice Photography Workshop was led by Mark Seymour, a highly respected documentary and street photographer whose work I had admired for years. His approach to storytelling through street photography has always inspired me, and I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.
Without hesitation, I booked my place on the workshop
The Pre-Trip Experience: A Great Start
One of the standout aspects of the experience was the pre-trip preparation. Mark created a WhatsApp group for everyone joining the Venice photography workshop, allowing us to connect before we even arrived in Venice.
This thoughtful initiative made a significant difference, especially for a newcomer like me. The group chat eased my nerves, introduced me to my fellow photographers and helped me feel part of the group before I had even set foot in Italy.
Why Book a Photography Tour with Mark Seymour?
If you’re contemplating joining a photography workshop with Mark Seymour, don’t hesitate. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or relatively new to street photography, Mark’s workshops offer expert guidance, practical tuition and the opportunity to develop your photography while experiencing some extraordinary places.
For me, this was about far more than simply taking photographs. It was a journey of personal growth, learning and creative inspiration. The Venice street photography workshop exceeded all my expectations, and I came home with new skills, photographs I was proud of and wonderful memories of the experience.
If you’re considering a Venice photography workshop, or one of Mark’s other photography journeys, I can wholeheartedly recommend it.
I’m already looking forward to my next adventure with Mark.
Arriving in Venice
My initial fears quickly disappeared, replaced by excitement and anticipation!
The day finally arrived, and I set off for Heathrow, where I met a fellow participant. We connected just before take-off and soon landed safely at Venice Marco Polo Airport. There, we joined the rest of the group and were warmly welcomed by Mark Seymour, who had already arranged our private water taxi to take us into the heart of Venice. From the very start, the experience felt extraordinary.
If you’ve ever watched a classic 1950s Hollywood film, this moment was straight out of one. As we stepped onto one of Venice’s iconic wooden water taxis, I felt an overwhelming sense of adventure. With the Venetian skyline ahead, the lagoon shimmering and a blue sky above, I pulled down my sunglasses, adjusted my hat and knew I was about to embark on something truly magical.
Staying at Hotel Ala: The Perfect Base for a Venice Photography Workshop
Our home for the week was the charming Hotel Ala, a beautifully preserved 18th-century hotel tucked away in a quiet Venetian square. After long days photographing the streets of Venice, it was a welcoming place to return to and quickly became our home away from home.
The location was ideal for a Venice photography workshop. Hotel Ala is just a short walk from St Mark’s Square and close to the Santa Maria del Giglio vaporetto stop, which made it easy for us to get out early and explore different parts of the city.
The rooms were compact but comfortable, and as we were travelling light, space was never really an issue. The staff were exceptionally welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our stay.
Breakfast each morning gave us a chance to gather, talk about the day ahead and discuss some of the photographs we’d made. Then we would head out with our cameras and begin exploring Venice again.
Evenings were an important part of the experience too. We usually ate together, either wherever we happened to be photographing or at one of the restaurants Mark had recommended. After a day on the streets, it was a chance to relax, talk about photography and enjoy being in Venice together.
An Unforgettable Photography Journey with Mark Seymour
From the moment we arrived, Mark set the tone for an incredible week of street photography in Venice. After a warm welcome and initial briefing, we quickly became a close-knit group of photographers, each with different levels of experience and different approaches to photography. The camaraderie developed naturally, helped enormously by Mark’s ability to create a relaxed and inclusive learning environment.
If you’re considering a photography workshop or journey with Mark Seymour but feel unsure whether it will be right for you, I can only speak from my own experience. Mark has an enormous amount of knowledge and experience, but just as importantly, he adapts his guidance to the individual. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or relatively new to street photography, he makes sure you get something valuable from the experience.
I had a ton of questions, both before and during the trip, and Mark handled every single one with patience, expertise and enthusiasm. He freely shared his knowledge throughout the week, and if there was something he didn’t immediately know, he would make the effort to find out.
What I particularly valued was that Mark’s guidance went far beyond camera settings or technical advice. He encouraged us to slow down, observe what was happening and think more carefully about composition, timing and the relationships between people within the frame.
He helped me see the streets of Venice differently, and that is something I brought home with me.
For anyone considering a Venice street photography workshop, I would wholeheartedly recommend the experience. I came home with new skills, greater confidence in my photography, photographs I was proud of and some wonderful memories of Venice.
Learning Street Photography in Venice
Before joining Mark Seymour in Venice, I had limited experience with street photography. I quickly realised how challenging it could be, especially during the first few days. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I began to doubt whether I would capture any worthwhile images to share at the end of the workshop.
Our first outing took us to the Rialto Market, a bustling working market where fresh fish arrives early each morning. Early starts are essential, as this is when the market and surrounding streets begin to come alive. Despite the pressure of photographing in such a fast-moving environment, Mark provided invaluable advice, always offering encouragement and discreet guidance. His supportive approach helped ease my nerves, and I never felt rushed or overwhelmed.
Walking through the streets of Venice on a glorious spring morning, before the tourist crowds arrived, was truly mesmerising. Navigating the winding alleyways, passing through different neighbourhoods and photographing reflections along Venice’s canals, the entire experience was breathtaking.
It was tempting to become distracted by the obvious postcard views, but Mark kept encouraging us to look beyond them. Our challenge was to observe the moments, interactions and small details that could tell a more interesting visual story. The week’s itinerary was thoughtfully designed, allowing us to explore quieter corners of Venice that I would probably never have discovered travelling independently.
For anyone wanting to develop their street photography skills, I found the Venice photography workshop enormously rewarding. Having Mark there to guide and encourage me while I put those ideas into practice gave me much more confidence in my own photography.
I left Venice with new skills, photographs I was proud of and, most importantly, a very different way of looking at the street.
An Inspiring Photography Journey with Mark Seymour
This is strong testimony, particularly solo female traveller, which is valuable reassurance. I’d preserve that completely. I would tone down the final paragraph slightly because “hands-on guidance, real-world practice, immersive cultural experience, transformational” starts sounding less like Ann and more like an SEO agency has borrowed her keyboard.
I’d use:
An Inspiring Photography Journey with Mark Seymour
Our final evening was a mix of emotion, reflection and excitement, marking the end of an incredible week. What I took away was far more than just memories. I gained invaluable skills, greater confidence in my photography and new friendships that will stay with me for a very long time.
If you’re unsure about joining one of Mark Seymour’s photography workshops or journeys, don’t overthink it, just go for it! As a solo female traveller, I felt instantly welcomed into a wonderful group of like-minded photographers, all with different levels of experience but sharing the same enthusiasm for photography.
Over the course of the week, I developed my understanding of street photography composition and began to think much more carefully about visual storytelling. With Mark’s guidance, I was able to put those ideas into practice every day while exploring a city that had been on my bucket list for years.
What made the Venice photography workshop so rewarding was the combination of learning, photographing and experiencing the city together. I returned home with greater confidence, new friendships and a completely different approach to my street photography.
A Photography Experience That Changed the Way I Work
Mark brings a wealth of experience, not only in Venice but from photographing in many different parts of the world. His knowledge of street photography, composition and visual storytelling made the workshop an invaluable learning experience.
Looking back, I can confidently say that the experience has made me a better photographer. Mark’s guidance, critiques and encouragement to look more carefully at the moments unfolding around me have given me greater confidence behind the camera and changed the way I approach my photography.
What I particularly appreciated was Mark’s patience and generosity with his knowledge. He encouraged rather than instructed, adapting his guidance to what each of us needed and giving us the confidence to develop our own way of seeing and photographing.
I want to thank Mark for his guidance, patience and mentorship throughout the journey. This was far more than simply a Venice photography workshop. It was an experience that has had a lasting impact on both my photography and the way I see the world around me.
And I have no doubt that I’ll be joining Mark on another photography journey in the future.
About this Review
Words and photographs by Ann Seymour
Ann Seymour joined Mark Seymour’s Streets of Venice Photography Workshop in May 2024. This article is her personal account of the experience, accompanied by photographs she made during the week.
Then I’d have a simple link:
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Explore Venice Through Mark’s Photography
See Mark Seymour’s own documentary and street photography from Venice, including photographs made across the city’s streets, markets and quieter neighbourhoods.
View the Venice Photography Gallery →
Photograph Venice with Mark
Join Mark on a small-group Venice photography journey, exploring the city through documentary and street photography with personal guidance throughout.
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