Josh Weinberg's
Photo Walks, Workshops & Lessons
Grow as a Photographer
Everyone wants to create photographs they’re proud of. For some, it’s a lifelong dream to become a photographer. For others, it’s finally learning to use the camera that’s been sitting on the shelf—too complicated, always stuck in auto mode, or never quite producing the images you imagined. And for many, it’s the desire to take their photography further, to move beyond taking pictures into making photographs that tell a story and reflect how they see the world.
Today, snapping a photo is effortless — but becoming a photographer is something more. That’s where I come in. Through photo walks, workshops, and one-on-one lessons, I’ll help you move forward and build the skills and vision that turn everyday moments into meaningful photographs.
I am based in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is an incredible place to learn photography. The light is wonderful, the subjects are diverse, and the architecture is iconic.
I offer one-on-one photography instruction (in-person or zoom), half-day photo walks, and multi-day San Francisco workshops.
Beginners
Take control. Create with intention
Just getting started with photography or learning to use your camera? I’ll help you feel confident with the basics. You’ll learn how to hold your camera steady, focus sharply, and work with light to get clear, well-exposed photos. We’ll also cover simple composition techniques and introduce you to editing so you can review your photos and pick out your best shots.
Intermediates
Take control. Create with intention
Already know your camera and want to move from taking pictures to making photographs? You’ll learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together—and how to use them creatively to shape your images. We’ll focus on making intentional choices, practicing with purpose, and exploring more advanced composition, so you can confidently create the photographs you envision.
Advanced
Develop your vision and style
Already making photographs you are proud of and want to go further? We’ll work on refining your skills and shaping your vision. That might mean creating a photo series, developing projects, deepening your editing in Lightroom, or exploring how to share your work—through prints, books, exhibitions, or online platforms. This stage is about stepping back, defining your direction, and creating a personal body of work.
San Francisco Visitors
Learn while exploring the city
If you’re visiting the Bay Area, I offer a way to learn photography while exploring the city. Lessons take place at some of San Francisco’s most iconic locations as well as hidden corners most tourists never find. You’ll not only come away with better photos—you’ll also see the city through a photographer’s eye, guided to spots that are both inspiring and unforgettable.
Personalized Photography
Lessons for Every Level
Rates
Zoom: $75/hour
In-person: $125/first hour — $75/additional hours
Lesson Locations
Zoom is a very effective tool for photography lessons. But if you are in the Bay Area, San Francisco is one of the best places in the world to learn photography — Nearly every corner of the city offers something worth capturing. From iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Ferry Building to everyday scenes at parks and farmers' markets, there’s always something new to see through your lens.
The city’s mix of historic buildings, world-class museums, striking modern architecture, and colorful Victorian homes provides endless opportunities to practice composition, light, and perspective.
Whether you want sweeping cityscapes, intimate street scenes, or architectural details, San Francisco is a living classroom—rich, varied, and photogenic from every angle.
Upcoming Events
Three-Day SF Photo Workshop
Three Inspiring Days of San Francisco Photography
Immersive, multi-day explorations of the city designed for people who want depth, repetition, and growth. These workshops combine structured lessons, guided photo walks, critique sessions, and time to experiment. You learn to refine your eye, understand what draws you to a scene, and create a cohesive body of work. Each program builds skills day by day while giving you the space to explore the city’s architecture, neighborhoods, and visual rhythms.
Zine School — Starts Feb 15
Create, Publish, and Market a Mini Photo Book
A focused, project-driven path for anyone who wants to make a photography zine from start to finish. You learn sequencing, editing, layout, storytelling, and how to turn a collection of images into a cohesive publication. The process is approachable, creative, and grounded in practical steps—planning, designing, printing, and sharing your work. You end with a finished zine and the skills to make more.
Private 1:1 & Group Photo Walks
Learn while exploring the city
Customized sessions for individuals, pairs, families, or small groups who want personal attention and a session tailored to their interests. These walks can focus on camera setup, composition, seeing more intentionally, developing good habits, exploring a specific neighborhood, or building confidence with your photography. Ideal for beginners who want clarity and for experienced photographers who want to push themselves further.
Cameras & Coffee Photo Walks
Part-Day Phototography Workshops
Cameras & Coffee Walks & Workshops are several-hour, themed photography experiences that start where creativity and connection often begin—over coffee. Each session centers on a San Francisco location or visual idea: light, structure, texture, or atmosphere. We meet at a local café, share ideas, discuss creative approaches for the day, and then head out to photograph with focus and curiosity. Afterward, we often gather again over lunch or a snack to reflect and compare images. Coffee included.
About Josh Weinberg
I’ve been a photographer since childhood, always fascinated by how a camera changes the way we see the world. Over the years, I’ve returned to photography again and again—as a creative outlet, a way to explore cities, and now as a way to teach others. My photo walks, workshops, and one-on-one lessons are how I share that passion. It’s not a big school—it’s just me, guiding you through personalized photography experiences. Sometimes that means teaching the basics; other times it’s about refining your skills or simply learning to see more deeply.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I focus on urban photography and the overlooked details of everyday places. Alongside my own practice, I serve as a supporting instructor for photography classes at the College of San Mateo, lead photo walks (including Scott Kelby’s Worldwide Photo Walk), and spent 10 years as a historic walking tour guide with San Francisco City Guides. I also write Random Capture, a photography newsletter that reflects on both the craft and the art of seeing.
To see more of my photography, visit joshuaw.com. To read my reflections on photography and the art of seeing, check out my newsletter at randomcapture.com.
Testimonials
5 Stars to Josh Weinberg, leader of Scott Kelby’s 2025 Worldwide PhotoWalk in San Francisco. This was my first PhotoWalk, and Josh did not disappoint. If you enjoy street photography, you would have had a delightful time photographing the “non-iconic” gems speckled throughout Crane Cove Park, Pier 70 & Mission Bay. Very early in the walk, Josh helped guide me on the best camera settings for more challenging (at least for me) images. Josh kept all 12 of us fully informed along the route and with ample time at each opportunity. No one got left behind or slowed the group down. He also provided information and histories of the areas, which helped us better understand and prepare for the various prospects for great images awaiting our cameras.
I look forward to seeing where else Josh may take photo enthusiasts interested in going off the beaten path and discovering our own “iconic” images.
As I grew as a photographer, Josh guided me on shoots, helping me master manual settings, improve composition, and see creatively. His coaching built confidence and transformed my photography. Through photo walks with Josh, I learned manual settings, composition, and creative vision. His patient feedback gave me confidence, sharpened my skills, and made each session both inspiring and practical.