This is for you if you want to improve and develop your own photography style and storytelling. In August 2027, Matti, Peter, and Robin will again guide your photography and creativity to another level in Helsinki, Finland!
This is a must for every aspiring beginner or seasoned photographer and something you simply can’t miss.
What? A photo workshop to develop your storytelling.
Where? Helsinki, Finland, the most beautiful country in the world.
When? August 2 – 6, 2027, five days from start to finish
How much?
Early Bird Special until October 15, 2026
Full price 2400€; a 500€ initial deposit will secure your spot, and the remaining balance of 1900€ will be due on May 31, 2027.
After October 15, 2026
Full price: 2600€; a 700€ initial deposit will secure your spot, and the remaining balance of 1900€ will be due on May 31, 2027. (All prices include VAT 25.5%)
What is Personal View all about?
This workshop concentrates on developing a personal storytelling style with multiple photographs. There will be an assignment every day. The topics and subjects vary from day to day, but the emphasis is on street and documentary.
We will guide you through the assignments and have one-to-one sessions to ensure you are going in the right direction. We have chosen some truly interesting locations for you to photograph, so you will have enough visual stimulants to fire up your creativity. We accept only 12 participants to ensure we have enough time for everyone.
Feedback from our workshop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2026
“Great workshop even for a poor/inexperienced street photographer like me, but also appeared great for those participants with more experience and artistic ability. By the end I felt I had earned my right to be there despite being afraid I was very out of my depth at the beginning. When I returned home, I saw subtle but definitely visible and most welcome changes to my photography immediately after: for example, I am now a little bolder in composition. Chances are I will be unlikely to be able to do any more “proper” street photography, but even if not, then at least my travel/tourist photography will have just that bit more “bite” :-)”
Chris Boyce, GB
“Great teachers, great content, great participants! A really good and useful workshop!” Herbert Nemet, Germany
Reserve your spot now!
This workshop is for everyone who wants to improve their photography and become a better storyteller. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a more seasoned shooter. We will tailor the assignments for you individually. We only require that you know your camera and other gear well enough that you can operate them independently.
You should bring your preferred digital camera and lens, but we have no specific requirements. You’ll also need a laptop or other device to process and select your photos. Any other gear, like a tripod, etc., is up to you. Bring whatever you think you are going to need.
Where can I sign up? Press the button below.
What is included?
This is included:
- Some dinners (water included)
- All museum and public entrance fees
- Photography instructions from three photographers
- Photography discussions in private and in groups
- Image critique every day
- A presentation about the day’s assignment each day.
- Photography Assignments for each day
This is not included:
- Airfare to and from Helsinki, Finland
- Travel to and from the Airport
- Hotel and meals (except the meals that are)
- Travel Insurance
- If you choose to do something alone, you’ll pay for it.
- Any fees or charges that you incur as a result of canceling this trip once you have made a reservation
- You’re responsible for all expenses if you decide to arrive early or depart late.
Please read the Terms and Conditions for complete details.
Schedule
This is a preliminary schedule, and small changes are possible.
Monday (August 2nd)
10.00 Gathering at Netprofile, Eteläranta 14, 2nd floor, Helsinki, Finland
Introduction of the Urban Street Narratives Workshop
Matti Sulanto: What is Storytelling?
The first look at your images
12.00 Lunch break
13.00 Photographing in the City (first images to your story)
18.00 Welcome Dinner get-together (place to be announced later)
Tuesday (August 3rd)
9.00 Photo Critique (Your images from Monday)
Peter Forsgard: What is a good photograph?
Today’s assignment
12.00 Lunch break
13.00 Photographing in Hakaniemi and Kallio Neighborhood
First 1-on-1 Critique
Wednesday (August 4th)
9.00 Photo Critique (Your images from Tuesday)
Robin Wong: Finding Beauty in Ordinary Scenes
Today’s assignment
12.00 Lunch break
13.00 Photographing in Downtown Helsinki
1-on-1 Critique during the day
18:00 Photographing and chilling around Train Factory or Teurastamo. (It depends on the weather and what evenst they have)
Thursday (August 5th)
9.00 Photo Critique (Your images from Wednesday)
12.00 Lunch break
1-on-1 sessions continue
13.00 Photographing in the Pasila Neighborhood
16.00 Free time to photograph where you want
Friday (August 6th)
9.00 Photo Critique (Your images from Thursday)
12.00 Lunch break
13.00 Optional trip to The Museum of Photography
Afternoon
Free time to photograph in Helsinki and prepare the set of images for the final dinner image show
18.00 Final Dinner (included in the price) and Image Show (place to be announced later)
Where can I sign up?
Sign up here for a week of street photography in Helsinki, Finland!
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Terms and conditions
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
- Some dinners (water included)
- All museum and public entrance fees
- Photography instructions from three photographers
- Photography discussions in private and in groups
- Image critique every day
- A presentation about the day’s assignment each day.
- Photography Assignments for each day
WHAT IS NOT :
- Airfare to and from Finland
- Travel to and from the Airport
- Hotel and meals (except the ones that are)
- Travel Insurance
- If you choose to do something on your own, you’ll pay for it.
- Any fees or charges that you incur as a result of canceling this trip once you have made a reservation
- You’re responsible for all expenses if you decide to arrive early or depart late.
___________________________________________________
PAYMENT SCHEDULE: 2026 and 2027
DEPOSIT: 700€ per person. Early Bird Special 500€ until October 15, 2026. (non-refundable) upon registration
If you cancel after you’ve signed up, but you can find someone to fill your place, we will refund the deposit after we have received the deposit from your substitute. This is the only exception to the rule.
May 31, 2027 – BALANCE DUE 1900€
If the registration is after May 31, 2027, the full amount of 2600€ must be paid.
May 31, 2027 – CONFIRMATION OF PARTICIPATION: Cancellations made after May 31 will be charged the full cost of the workshop.
Cancellation notice received after May 31, 2027, will not be refunded
The August 2027 workshop is limited to 12 participants.
Passport and Identification
Each workshop member is responsible for their own valid passport. Please be sure it is valid for three months beyond your return date. If you are traveling outside the Schengen area. Required travel documents to Finland can be found here: (https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland). Each Workshop participant is responsible for having all the required travel documents.
PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY
BINDING AGREEMENT:
These terms and conditions apply to this Workshop. Constitute a binding agreement between Urban Street Narratives (“organizer” or “organizers”) and each Workshop participant (“Participant” or “you”). You should read these terms and conditions carefully. If you do not agree with any part of them, you should not book this Workshop. To complete your reservation, you must also sign the workshop Waiver.
About a month before the starting date of the workshop, participants will be sent information about the destination and all the information you need to prepare. Also, any gear-related requirements will be informed.
Workshop organizers provide educational Photography Workshops. Tuition is for one workshop only. The workshop organizer is not responsible for planning or booking any other aspect of the Participant’s travel to and from the workshop, lodging, etc.
The itineraries and staff presented on this website are subject to modification and change by the organizer at any time. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur.
Your enrollment in a Workshop will only be complete upon the organizer’s receipt of the following:
(i) full Tuition for the Workshop and
(ii) a signed copy of the completed Workshop Waiver.
If you have any problems or complaints during the Workshop, you must communicate the same to the organizer promptly so that the organizer may attempt to resolve them in whatever manner the organizer, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. Any such communication may be directed to info@urbanstreetnarratives.com.
PAYMENT:
A non-refundable deposit of €600 is required to reserve your place in the workshop (€400 Early Bird Special before October 15, 2026). This will be paid upon registration. No reservation will be considered confirmed until the deposit has been received. Tuition must be paid in full to confirm your place in the workshop. Payments may be made by wire transfer or PayPal. Tuition and any other amounts due hereunder are reflected in Euros (Eur) unless otherwise noted.
CANCELLATION:
We rely on your attendance to make important arrangements and logistical preparations. If, for any reason, you must cancel your enrollment or participation in a Workshop, please notify the organizer in writing by email to info@helsinkiphotoworkshops.fi as soon as possible. Your cancellation notice will be effective as of the date the email is received by the organizer and will be subject to the following tuition & refund policy:
- The final payment is due by the 31st of May 2027.
- Cancellation at any time while the Workshop is in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will be charged 100% of the tuition for the Workshop. No refunds will be made for unused portions of a Workshop under any circumstances.
- There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy for any reason, even in a medical emergency. To avoid incurring the above cancellation charges, we strongly recommend the purchase of Trip-Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.
If you do not pay your tuition on time, the organizer has the right to cancel your reservation for the Workshop. You agree that the organizer will have no liability for any such cancellation.
Organizer reserves the right to cancel any Workshop because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate or because of good-faith concerns with respect to the participants’ safety, health, or welfare. If the organizer elects to cancel a Workshop for either of these reasons, you will receive a full refund and/or credit equivalent of any tuition you have already paid to the organizer. Similarly, if the organizers cancel a Workshop after it has commenced, you will receive a prorated refund based on the days not yet completed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, organizer will not be liable for any forced delay in, change to, or cancellation of one or more Workshops due to any event of Force Majeure or any other circumstance beyond the reasonable control of organizer, including but not limited to war, the threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, and strikes.
Organizer will not be responsible for any other expenses you may have incurred in association with the Workshop, such as airline tickets, personal purchases, travel outside of the Workshop, etc. We strongly recommend that all participants purchase Trip-Cancellation/Interruption Insurance covering workshop expenses and non-refundable travel costs.
SUITABILITY TO PARTICIPATE:
You must be in good physical and mental health to participate in the Workshop. Any physical condition, diet, or treatment requiring special attention or for which you require assistance or accommodation must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. The workshop will keep confidential any personal or medical information you share with the workshop and will only use the information to the extent needed to coordinate your successful participation in the Workshop. We strongly recommend that you purchase international medical insurance for the duration of the Workshop.
You must be 18 to attend the Workshop. You are solely responsible for assessing the following for yourself:
(i) whether you are in good enough health and fitness to travel to and from and to participate in a Workshop
(ii) whether you can legally travel to and from and participate in the Workshop.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS:
All participants are responsible for ensuring they have the proper travel documents (including, but not limited to, a valid passport and visa(s)). Each workshop member is responsible for their own valid passport. Please be sure it is valid for three months beyond your return date. If you are traveling outside the Schengen area. Required travel documents to Finland can be found here: (https://um.fi/visa-requirement-and-travel-documents-accepted-by-finland). Each Workshop participant is responsible to have all the required travel documents.
COMPLIANCE:
The organizer requires that you follow all laws, rules, and regulations of the locations where the Workshop is held. If your actions interfere with the safety and well-being of yourself, any other participant, or any Workshop owner, employee, or agent, the workshop reserves the right to terminate your enrollment in the Workshop and to require you to leave.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
PARTICIPANTS WAIVE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY
Your total remedy, if any, for any injury and/or damages you may suffer arising from or connected in any way with a Workshop is limited to the total amount you have paid for the Workshop. The workshop will not be liable for any indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages of any kind, regardless of the form of the action, and even if the workshop has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Participant expressly waives any right Participant may have to recover such damages.
LIKENESS RELEASE:
Unless you direct the organizer before a Workshop, the organizer may capture and use your likeness by photograph or otherwise.
CHOICE OF LAW:
These terms and conditions, along with any applicable Workshop Agreement, are governed by the laws of Finland. You agree to the exclusive venue and personal jurisdiction of the courts situated in Helsinki, Finland. The workshop may change these terms and conditions at any time. It is your responsibility to review them frequently.