A big warm Welcome to streetsnappers!

Julius Caesar suggested that “experience is the teacher of all things”. It’s a bold claim, but as my main job is now teaching street photography, it’s just as well I’m something of a veteran! I think street photography has always been in my DNA, even from my days at school. For me it’s all about the fun and the playfulness – maybe the mischief – of creating images which make people smile. Maybe I was a comedian in a previous life.

My Dad’s pal, legendary local press photographer, Tommy Ball, was often round at our house with his Rolleiflex over his shoulder. At the same time, my great art teacher (thank you, Mr Freear) really inspired me to persevere with photography and I think he convinced me that the kid with the camera round his neck would be cool and more attractive to girls (not sure about that one). And so a passion was born.

At the age of 15 my first published press image was of a dead dog in a litter bin, taken during a summmer’s work experience with the once-great Southport Visiter newspaper.

Now entering its 10th year, StreetSnappers is my pride and joy. I’ve long been a passionate street photographer and I guess my interest derives from pounding the streets of London, draped with cameras, as a news photographer. I founded StreetSnappers to bring together this passion for street photography with a love of teaching – something I only discovered I was good at later in life.

Photojournalism taught me three important lessons about street photography. Firstly, look for the detail and make connections – look at everything around you, be curious about the world and actively work at developing your powers of observation, sniffing out things which are ‘different’. Secondly, never hesitate and go with your own instinct – your gut feel is usually right. Thirdly, context is king; the context is often necessary to help tell the story. I’m still active as an editorial and commercial photographer and am a member of the BPPA (British Press Photographers’ Association).

I guess I’m what you might call an ‘observational’ street photographer. I enjoy finding the ‘unusual in the usual’ and recording the absurdities of 21st century life. In terms of my own street photography, you can see my images on my personal website here.

I admire the work of street photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz, Gary Winogrand, Elliott Erwitt, William Klein, Daido Moriyama and Alex Webb; I also appreciate the work of the aestheticists such as Saul Leiter, Harry Gruyaert and Ernst Haas - or social documentarians like Martin Parr, Helen Levitt and Sergio Larrain. Each brings a rich diversity of style and approach to this wonderful genre of photography. But it’s not only the ‘greats’ who matter: I get as much satisfaction out of seeing my workshop students develop over the months and years – sometimes progressing from complete beginner to highly accomplished street photographer. There’s no greater reward for a teacher.

As well as running group and one-to-one street photography workshops across the UK and in Europe, I lecture about it and I write books. My five published street photography manuals are:

• Mastering Street Photography (Ammonite Press)

• 52 Assignments: Street Photography (Ammonite Press)

• 52 Assignments: Black & White Photography (Ammonite Press)

• Street Photography Workshop (Ammonite Press)

• Street Photography Pocket Guide (Rocky Nook)

• 52 Assignments: Portrait Photography (Ammonite Press)

• I’ve just been commissioned by Rocky Nook to write my seventh book, ‘A Street Photography Manifesto’, which will be published in spring 2025.

Keeping it in the family, StreetSnappers has great support from my wife, Johannah, who runs our booking system and handles all the admin. And she keeps me motivated with a legendary Victoria sponge. Alex, our son, has also been closely involved in the business for the past six years and is a constant source of bright ideas and other clever stuff behind the scenes.

I still shoot commercial assignments for editorial and corporate clients and you can see by corporate website here.

I am represented by Saatchi Art where my prints are on sale worldwide.

My advice? Immerse yourself in street photography, relax and don’t rush things. Your skills will develop and your confidence will build. It’s an interesting journey – I hope you enjoy it 🙂