Smartphone Street Photography Workshop

Shoot stunning photos while exploring Venice's vibrant streets with a pro!



2 hours Location Venice Class size 1 to 8 (public classes), 4 to 10   $95
LA Activities
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Art
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Photography Experience Gifts
Your phone has been quietly holding a masterpiece-maker this whole time -- you just haven't been formally introduced yet! In this hands-on photography class led by award-winning photographer Alon Goldsmith, you'll walk through one of LA's most visually electric neighborhoods and learn how to take good pictures with your phone in a way that actually sticks. This isn't a lecture -- it's a WalkShop through Venice Beach or Santa Monica, which means you're out in the world, camera in hand, learning by doing.
You'll discover how real photographers think about light, composition, timing, and perspective to turn an ordinary sidewalk moment into something worth framing. From street art and architecture to reflections, patterns, and candid people-watching, the neighborhood becomes your classroom. Whether you're brand new to phone photography or just feeling stuck in a creative rut, this experience meets you exactly where you are.
Consider it one of those rare things to do in LA that's equal parts date idea, creative reset, and actual skill-builder -- the kind of photography course that changes how you see the world long after the walk ends. You'll leave with practical techniques you can use every single time you pick up your phone. Which, let's be honest, is constantly!
Please Note
Location varies per date between Venice and Santa Monica; click the date selector to see details. Past meeting points have included Hot Dog On A Stick at 1633 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica, CA 90401, The Waterfront Venice at 205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291, and 1401 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291.
You'll learn:
  • Composition and framing
  • Finding and using light
  • Visual storytelling
  • Capturing candid moments
  • Creative smartphone photography techniques
  • How to make stronger travel, street, and everyday photographs


Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 2 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we may cancel the session; if that happens, we'll inform you and let you choose between a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.

Upcoming dates for Smartphone Street Photography Workshop

Times are Los Angeles time. Dates and prices as of 14 Nov 2026, 3:33pm; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

9 upcoming dates between 21 Nov 2026 and 16 Jan 2027.

  • Sat, Nov 21 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Nov 28 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Dec 5 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Dec 12 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Dec 19 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Dec 26 2026, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Jan 2 2027, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Jan 9 2027, 2:30pm-4:30pm
  • Sat, Jan 16 2027, 2:30pm-4:30pm
What you'll get
  • Practical techniques you can use every time you pick up your phone
  • Photos taken during the walk through the neighborhood
  • Ability to see the world through a photographer's eyes
  • Fresh inspiration (especially if you're an experienced photographer)
Knowledge required
All skill levels are welcome!
What to bring
  • Your smartphone (fully charged)
  • Your creativity!
  • Enthusiasm to learn
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes
  • Bluetooth remote shutter (optional)
Location

The Waterfront Venice, 205 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291

Smartphone Street Photography Workshop location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of Smartphone Street Photography Workshop

  • 5/5 from Isa Mattia, attended Aug 2026: My husband and I are locals and signed up for this class as a fun way to get out of the house. We hoped to get some tips on how to take better photos from our phones when we travel. While it wasn’t exactly what we had envisioned, we learned so much and had a great time with Alon! We were able to walk up and down the boardwalk along Venice beach, and Alon’s advice helped us to look at things with a fresh perspective. He was patient with us while we got the hang of it and offered tips and stories along the way. I’d recommend as a fun activity to see LA in another light.
  • 5/5 from Sydne Lee, attended Jul 2026: What a great experience—Alon was a patient, encouraging, and knowledgeable instructor. I left the class with tangible techniques I could start practicing immediately, which made the experience feel incredibly valuable.
Your teacher

Alon Goldsmith
Alon Goldsmith

5.0 (2)
Instagram followers 4k followers

I'm an award-winning photographer, educator, and storyteller based in Los Angeles. While I photograph with a variety of cameras, some of my most meaningful work has been created with the smartphone that's always in my pocket.
My journey into photography began decades ago, but my relationship with smartphone photography transformed the way I see the world. What started as a convenient camera became a creative tool that allowed me to photograph everyday life with greater spontaneity, curiosity, and freedom. I discovered that great photography isn't about having the most expensive equipment—it's about learning to notice light, recognize moments, and tell stories.
Over the years, my work has been exhibited internationally and featured in publications including the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, Reader's Digest, Frames Magazine, Street Photography Magazine, and many others. Forbes once referred to me as "LA's iPhoneography Wizard, " a title that still makes me smile.
In 2022, I was the overall winner of the MIRA Mobile Photography Awards, one of the world's leading competitions dedicated to smartphone photography. I've also served as a juror for the Mobile Photography Awards and am an active member of the Street L.A. Photo Collective, a community of photographers led by renowned photographer and educator Julia Dean.
Through Street L.A., I've participated in Projecting L.A., a public art initiative that transforms urban spaces into outdoor galleries by projecting photographs onto buildings for large audiences. Being part of that community continues to inspire my belief that photography has the power to connect people, tell stories, and help us see familiar places in new ways.
One of my favorite projects was creating a photograph every day for an entire leap year—a 366-day visual diary called 366 Days in the Life of an iPhone Wizard. The project reinforced something I often share with my students: extraordinary photographs are hiding in plain sight. The challenge is learning how to see them. I’m currently working on a 2026 edition.
Teaching is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I regularly lead smartphone photography WalkShops and have taught photographers of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned image-makers looking for a fresh perspective. My goal isn't simply to teach camera techniques. It's to help people become more observant, more creative, and more confident with the camera they already own.
Whether you're interested in street photography, travel photography, visual storytelling, or simply capturing better everyday moments, my classes are designed to help you see the world through a photographer's eyes.
I believe photography isn't really about cameras. It's about curiosity. And curiosity is something we can all learn to cultivate.

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