Milan pulses with energy in its authentic neighborhoods, where tradition and modernity collide in fascinating ways. From the minimalist elegance of contemporary design studios to the bustling energy of Milanese street life, each neighborhood possess its own distinct vibe. Milan is a city where design reigns supreme, and its architecture is a testament to that. From sleek modern structures like the Porta Nuova skyscrapers to the historical beauty of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, there’s something for every photographer.

This is a city that moves fast—but there’s an art to capturing that energy in still images. The iconic streetcars rattle through the city’s streets, providing an unmissable shot of urban life. Capture the rush of pedestrians weaving through the crowds, the energy of the cafes during aperitivo hour, and the quiet beauty of Milan at dusk. 

This intimate six-day masterclass (limited to 8 students) will take you on a visual treasure hunt to some of the most interesting and exciting locations in the Italian capital of business and fashion. You will explore the vibrant, visually rich places and neighborhoods Milan is famous for and local expert Ugo and David will take you to some hidden gems.

Steve will be teaching you new and powerful street photography techniques guaranteed to push you from your comfort zone to new heights in your work and share his street-shooting philosophies gleaned from a lifetime of wandering urban places with his camera.

David will bring his years of experience shooting in Milan and share his lessons to help you find and develop your photographic style. In classroom David will lead talks that dissect the anatomy of photographic style that will help students achieve a definable style they can call their own.

Ugo Cei is our local Milanese who is as fluent with a camera as he is with his home town. 

This is a city that moves fast—but there’s an art to capturing that energy in still images. The iconic streetcars rattle through the city’s streets, providing an unmissable shot of urban life. Capture the rush of pedestrians weaving through the crowds, the energy of the cafes during aperitivo hour, and the quiet beauty of Milan at dusk.

This workshop is about more than just architecture or landscapes—it’s about capturing the essence of Milan’s people. Milan is the kind of city that’s impossible to understand from a distance. To really see it, you have to step into the rhythm of its streets, where the Milanese move with purpose, yet there’s a relaxed coolness that defines them.

While it may seem odd to photograph a cemetery, you'll understand once you cross the portal into this vast necropolis. The Cimitero Monumentale di Milano is more than a cemetery—it is arguably the world's most impressive open-air museum of Italian art, offering a density of visual subject matter unrivaled by any traditional gallery. As the final resting place for Milan's wealthiest families and creative minds, its sprawling grounds are packed with monumental tombs and mausoleums designed by masters of 19th and 20th-century sculpture and architecture. From the grand, striped façade of the Famedio to the intricate, emotionally charged bronze and marble figures, this location is a masterclass in composition, texture, and light. It presents a unique opportunity to capture dramatic narrative and fine art images, far from the crowds of typical Milanese landmarks.

Joining us for a session here will transform your approach to light and shadow. The architecture, including countless long, shaded colonnades and corridors, naturally creates high-contrast environments perfect for moody, atmospheric photography, especially for black-and-white work. Whether you are focusing on the flowing lines of Art Nouveau monuments, capturing the raw emotion on a sculpted face, or isolating powerful compositions within the silence of the grounds, the Cimitero Monumentale provides an unparalleled studio for developing your skills in evocative and timeless imagery. This location was so poplular on our Milan 2024 Workshop that we visited it twice!

In addition to exploring the streets of Milan, Steve, David & Ugo will also take you on an excursion to Turin (Torino) for a day trip.  Immerse you in the distinct visual identity of Turin, a city of regal Baroque architecture, sprawling arcades (portici), and a vibrant, modern street culture.

We start in Turin’s medieval heart, the Quadrilatero Romano. As the day begins, the narrow, cobbled streets and ochre-colored buildings provide soft, warm light perfect for street portraits and candid scenes. This area is a rich contrast: ancient Roman foundations (like the colossal Porta Palatina gate) juxtaposed with hip cafes, small craft shops, and local life spilling out onto the pavement. Our photographic tour culminates with a special visit to the Gallerie d'Italia – Torino (GDI), located right in the heart of Piazza San Carlo. This isn't just a museum; it's a dedicated contemporary art and photography hub, housed within the magnificent Palazzo Turinetti.

For the street photographer, Milan's Festa della Liberazione on April 25th is a dynamic, high-energy exercise in capturing the collective spirit of Italian history and resistance. The parade is a flood of color, emotion, and texture, presenting a striking contrast to the city's sleek modernity. The long march along Corso Venezia and through the historical center provides endless opportunities for strong visual narratives: tight shots of weathered hands holding old partisan flags, the rhythmic shadow play of thousands of people moving in unison, and the raw, unfiltered faces of both the oldest veterans and the youngest protestors. It’s an essential lesson in balancing large-scale spectacle with intimate, decisive moments of passion and commitment, making it the perfect setting for honing fast-paced, documentary-style street photography.

Our hotel is the Art Hotel in the lovely Navilgli Neighborhood. Great roof deck, sauna, breakfast, fast internet and modern rooms. The hotel has a considerable investment in art throughout which is inspiring as well. Tenoha, this Japanese concept store, Ramen Restaurant and co-working space is the perfect sanctuary for our class lectures and critique, just a five minute stroll from our hotel.