Street photography workshop ZURICH
Zurich feels like a city that keeps its calm; in the still water of the lake, in the clean lines of the architecture, and in the people who move through their day with attention.
Zurich is a city that gives quiet room to breathe.
I would love to invite you to my photography workshop in Zurich. Immerse yourself in two days of street photography in this world city.
Together with enthusiastic friends in Switzerland I have put together a workshop that takes you to the old town (the lively Niederdorf), the elegant Bahnhofstrasse (the local Champs-Élysées) and plenty of other local photography hotspots.
During the workshop we get to work together. I show you how I would approach particular situations, how I try to anticipate what is coming and how I let light guide my street photography. I teach you to look differently, and of course we talk through photography projects you can start on the same day.
My workshops are for beginners and for experienced photographers. Basic knowledge of your camera is required.
I did a really enjoyable and instructive workshop with Michiel. He teaches you to look differently at the street. The workshop stays challenging throughout because of the varied assignments. Highly recommended.Anita Stapel, group street photography workshop
Zurich: a photographic experience of its own
Do you love photography and are you looking for a new challenge? Do you want to discover a city that will surprise and inspire you? Then my street photography workshop in Zurich is for you.
Zurich is a city with a rich history and a modern face, where you find a mix of cultures, styles and architecture. It is a city that invites you to experiment, to discover and to enjoy. It is a city that will never bore you. And that is the city we are going to discover together in this energising street photography workshop.
During this workshop you will not only look at Zurich, you will learn to read it. We wander through quiet streets and busy squares, along water and clean lines, looking for moments that exist only briefly. I help you slow down, look better and make choices about what you put in the frame and how. That creates room for photographs that show not only what Zurich looks like, but above all how Zurich feels.
Who is this workshop for?
The workshop lasts two days, from ten to three. The pace is comfortable, with plenty of room to look, to try things and to ask questions. Your level does not matter. Whether you are just starting out or have been photographing for years, everyone is challenged at their own level. All you need is a camera, any camera. A mirrorless camera, a DSLR, a compact or your phone. It is not about the equipment, it is about how you look.
We work on composition, on reading light and shadow, on colour, movement and perspective. And on people. How to photograph somebody without disturbing them, without tension, with respect and attention for the moment.
Above all you learn by doing. By watching how I work, how others work, and by going out into the street yourself. Over the two days you get assignments that pull you out of your habitual way of looking. They create focus and make you more aware of what is happening around you. That combination changes the way you look and makes your photographs stronger and more personal. They tell your story.
Zurich? Easy to reach!
For anyone travelling from the Netherlands: Zurich is genuinely easy to reach by train. I travel first class for 75 euro one way myself. Second class starts at 50 euro. Cheap, and sustainable. Hotel prices vary, and staying a little outside the centre is often a good deal cheaper. Public transport is well organised, with excellent trams.
Book soon, because places are limited. Do not miss this chance to sharpen and refine your photography and discover an extraordinary city. See you in Zurich. 📸
The schedule for this photography workshop in Zurich
This workshop is not currently scheduled.
If you would like to photograph this city with me, that is of course possible one to one, and you may bring somebody along free of charge. It costs € 595 plus € 1,000 in travel and accommodation. Send me an email and I will put a proposal together. In that case the price of the workshop goes up by 1,500 euro for travel and accommodation. Get in touch with me.
London or Paris?
This year I am running several workshops in London and Paris. Have a look at those pages for more information:
2 days · 10.00 to 15.00
On day one we walk from the Hauptbahnhof through the shopping streets to the Lindenhof, and back to the station through narrow alleys along the water. We close the day out along the modern Europaallee. Day two is mostly about Niederdorf. We set off at the park by the river Limmat and wander along the banks back to the Niederdorfstrasse, which climbs slowly towards the Grossmünster and the Sechseläutenplatz. We stop at Stadelhofen station and disappear past the wonderful lake back into the shopping streets.
Day 1
We start in the main hall of the Hauptbahnhof
- 10.00
Meeting and introductions
A short talk about street photography
- 10.30
Into the streets with the first challenge
- 12.30
Lunch break (at your own expense)
- 13.15
Into the streets with the second challenge
- 15.00
End of day one
Day 2
We start at restaurant Spitz
behind the Hauptbahnhof · Google Maps
- 10.00
A short recap of day one
Room for your questions
- 10.30
Into the streets with the first assignment
- 12.30
Lunch break (at your own expense)
- 13.15
Into the streets with the second assignment
- 15.00
We close the workshop with a drink
Photo review
After the workshop you can email me up to eight photographs you took during the two days. I will give you personal feedback on them, and tell you what I would try next.
We start both days at ten and finish around three, so you still have time to explore Zurich yourself. Most of the places we visit are within walking distance, which does mean you need sturdy shoes.
What this workshop costs
This two-day workshop costs € 695 incl. VAT. That includes my book De Straatfotobijbel 🇳🇱.
Groups are three to five people at most, so there is time for everyone. If you would like a certificate of participation, I will gladly send you one after the workshop.
Price excluding travel and accommodation, which you arrange yourself to suit your budget. Halfway through we stop for lunch (at your own expense). There are plenty of good places for lunch (and dinner) in Zurich. We will see where we are when we get hungry.
What are you waiting for? Treat yourself to this two-day workshop in Zurich. See you there.
Included
- Two days of guidance, 10.00 to 15.00
- Guided assignments with assignment cards to take home with you
- My book De Straatfotobijbel 🇳🇱
- A free month of access to all Photofacts courses with the book
- A short review over coffee or tea
- Feedback by email on up to eight photographs
Not included
- Travel to Zürich, which you arrange yourself to your own budget
- Accommodation, which you arrange yourself to your own budget
- Lunch on both days, at your own expense
- Getting around the city
Groups are three to five people at most, so there is time for everyone. Price excluding travel and accommodation, which you arrange yourself to your own budget.
Details of the workshop
- Guided assignments using assignment cards you can take home with you.
- Lunch included, we pick up a sandwich and something to drink.
- You get my book Straatfotobijbel so you can keep practising after the workshop.
- This street photography workshop runs over two days from 10.00 to 15.00 (2 × 5 hours).
- A short review at the end of the workshop, with coffee or tea of course.
- Level: all levels.
- Recommended lens: whichever lens you feel comfortable with, but 28 to 50mm full frame is a good guide.
- Technique before lunch, building a series after lunch.
- I share all my experience with you, and help you learn to look differently.
- A free month of access to all Photofacts courses with the book.
- I take you to the best spots.
- Groups of up to five people, so there is time for everyone.
- Recommended camera: any camera, ideally with a prime lens.
- You do your own editing at home, as you see fit. I am happy to give you feedback by email on eight photographs.
This workshop can be given in Dutch or in English. The group workshop goes ahead with a minimum of two participants.
No date scheduled yet
Would you like to come to Zurich?
This masterclass is not in the schedule at the moment. Let me know you are interested and you will hear from me as soon as there is a date. A one-to-one masterclass in Zurich is always possible, and you may bring somebody along free of charge. It costs € 595 plus € 1,000 in travel and accommodation. Send me an email and I will put a proposal together.
About Michiel
I am Michiel Heijmans, a professional photographer. I run street photography workshops at home and abroad. I wrote the photography books De Wet van de Straat, The Observer and the course book Straatfotobijbel. In 2025 I appeared on Het Perfecte Plaatje op reis. I am also co-host of the popular photography podcast 30 Minuten Sluitertijd.
