Iconic New York City Photography Tour

I spent a lovely half-day with Leanne on a fine day in October on the "Street Photography" tour. It was a one-on-one session. Leanne is wonderful. Really insightful to the craft of photography and street-shots in particular. She has a great personality, and long experience to share. I learnt a lot in the half-day, and was able to immediately apply the learnings for the rest of the weekend in New York. Highly recommend!

Leanne’s street photography was practical, engaging, and genuinely transformative. She offers practical advice on composition and framing against classic city backdrops without drawing unnecessary attention. Having a licensed guide who knows every corner of the city and is a master of monochrome street work made all the difference. Highly recommended for photographers of any skill level looking to start or elevate their street portfolio.

Leanne is an expert, knowledgeable guide and photographer. Our first experience was last year and we recently did it again - another area of the City. I highly recommended her services! Just do it!!

It was a very pleasant walk around with Leanne in Chinatown. I have no idea what Street Photography really represented before the workshop, and I used to shun away from it thinking that it involved lots of talking to people (I'm shy), but Leanne helped to open my eyes more into this world through the workshop. I am grateful for the experience!

It was a wonderful experience. Leanne is very kind and taught me how to see New York from a different perspective. I recommend it to anyone who is passionate about photography.

Leanne was great - patient and insightful. She showed me some techniques and places to NYC that I would have never discovered on my own

I had the best time! I did a street photography workshop in Chinatown and had the best time. I came in knowing very little and left with some amazing shots! So much insight and unique perspectives were shared. The other student was fantastic as well. It was a great time learning to see the everyday world through a different perspective. I can’t wait to book another!

Super way to see and shoot NYC. Leanne is amazing. Great conversation and plenty of tips. Loved every minute. Recommended.

One that was one my bucket lust, and it did not disappoint AT ALL!! 1021660007 Coincidences have a wonderful way of sneaking into our lives, and recently, one helped me tick a big item off my bucket list: street photography in New York City. As someone who travels the world giving keynotes, I’ve always found joy in taking a little extra time before or after work to explore new places—not just as a speaker, but as a curious observer behind the lens, always carrying a camera with me. From Landscapes to City Life. For years, my camera has pointed mostly at sweeping landscapes and city skylines. But lately, things have shifted. It’s the rhythm of the city, the architecture, snippets of local life, and above all, the pulse and mood of a place that fascinates me most. There’s something magnetic about immersing yourself in a city’s unique vibe, camera-ready. A Workshop in the Heart of NYC. A recent assignment in New York presented the perfect opportunity to dive deeper into this passion: A street photography workshop with Leanne Staples , a seasoned local photographer and tour guide in one. We kicked things off with a rich espresso at a lively barista bar tucked inside Grand Central Station, trading stories and laughs before hitting the bustling streets. Those next few hours? Nothing short of magical. Leanne Staples was my guide through both iconic avenues and hidden corners, teaching me to see—and capture—New York as only a true local could. What surprised me was how easygoing New Yorkers are about having their photos taken, a stark contrast to what I’m used to in Europe! (Trust me, Leanne had some colourful ways of explaining this difference.) Lessons from the Street : Leanne’s simple yet powerful advice opened my eyes (and camera) to new tricks: • Play with reflections on glass and steel. • Try unexpected angles and perspectives. • Exercise patience—sometimes the perfect subject will step right into your frame if you just wait a moment longer. Back in my hotel room, I found myself reliving the day, editing photos to enhance the light, contrast, and colour. Those edits sealed the experiences into vivid memories, leaving me hungry for more adventures—whether in New York, Barcelona, Prague, or even my own hometown of Roermond. Why You Should Give It a Try: If you’re ever in New York and want a blend of mentorship, creative inspiration, and the quick-witted humour only a true New Yorker like Leanne can deliver, she’s the coach you need. Her practical tips, seasoned insights, and playful banter made every minute worthwhile. Street photography isn’t just about snapping pictures—it’s about capturing the spirit of a place, celebrating its people, and maybe seeing the world (and yourself) from a brand-new angle. So, next time you’re travelling, set aside a few hours to wander with your camera, like I do. You never know what you’ll find—or how it might change the way you see your surroundings. And be sure to always carry a camera!

Leanne is amazing - she is very prompt with her responses and scheduling and I absolutely loved the private street photography workshop! She offers gift certificates and my husband gifted me this experience knowing how much I love NYC and street photography! I've been in NYC several times and have lived there for a number of years in the past but Leanne really made me see the environment around me with a new perspective. She teaches you fundamentals of street photography and artistic, unique ways to capture street life. She has a casual style and it is a very relaxed tour where you not just capture fantastic pictures but also have a lot of fun exploring the city together! If you are in NYC visiting or just want to up your game on street photography, I highly recommend booking a tour with Shoot NYC! You won't be disappointed!

Leanne was very unprofessional and did not impart any knowledge of street photography. She made several anti-Semitic statements, and I did not appreciate her long-winded story about religious jews, which she did not know of. I only learned that day to never sign up for any of these classes.

Hi, my first time doing a street photography session and it was great. Leanne is a fantastic person to walk the city with. She has a wealth of knowledge about the city and photography. You won't be disappointed.

I spent 4 days walking the streets of Manhattan and Brooklyn with Leanne... and it was a real pleasure. Not only did I make a lot of progress in street photography (which was my main objective), but I also learned a lot about the city and discovered neighborhoods I would never have visited as a simple tourist. An unforgettable experience. Thank you Leanne: you're a great teacher, a well of science and a wonderful person! ;)

This tour is for people who are looking for a creative artistic experience rather than an lesson in the technical aspects of photography.

Had a lot of fun shooting with Leanne during my trip in New York. Learned a few tricks and got home with a lot of good pictures

We did a night shoot starting at Grand Central Terminal and wandered to Times Square. Leanne showed us opportunities for unusual photos-in her favorite puddles, on the side of building, street signs that were lit, iconic buildings in the glass of others, her favorite park. Very enjoyable and easy to wander the streets with.

This was a great photography tour, Leanne is super easy to work with and we covered a lot of territory together. She knows her way around and gives helpful advice on shooting. Would definetly book again.

Leanne was so knowledgeable and despite the cold we have a wonderful few hours walking the streets she knows so well, offering us all the tips on how to shoot these amazing landmarks in unusual ways, reflections, angles and so on. Me and my daughter had a lot of fun and will definitely have improved our questionable photography skills! Thanks Leanne!

Leanne is a superstar. It was a freezing cold day but Leanne was a trouper and took us to her favourite coffee shops and we did some inside locations to help us cope with the temperature. Helped us both with our photography and showed us clever tips and locations. It was our great pleasure meeting Leanne and her tour was the highlight of our trip to NYC. Will definitely do another next time but will aim for warmer weather!

The workshop was great, I learned a lot. Had a great time. I got lost in the streets of NY. Leanne congratulations your knowledge and passion for photography makes me keep doing what i'm doing and don't give up. I fully recommend this workshop.

I had a blast roaming the city and learning how to do street photography. I have never tried street photography and this was a great way to learn. Leanne has a great way of encouraging you to be creative and let your instincts take over. I feel like I got some great shots and plan to do a lot more street photography.

The tour was fantastic. We discussed both philosophy as well as technique, before going out shooting. We walked and talked about what makes for an engaging image and went to locals that provide opportunities to put it all into practice. A throughly enjoyable and instructive experience

I attended the street photography workshop over Memorial Day weekend and had an insightful experience. One of the key takeaways was learning what to look for when doing street photography. We focused on finding interesting frames with the emphasis on being patient and allowing subjects to naturally enter the frame, which led to some genuinely candid and compelling shots. Whether you're a beginner or more experienced, I highly recommend this workshop to anyone looking to explore the art of street photography..

My wife and I recently participated in a street photo shoot training and tour of New York City, led by Leanne It was an exceptional experience. What set Leanne’s street photo shoot training and tour apart was her genuine love for street photography and New York City. The six-hour tour was a whirlwind of exploration, with Leanne expertly tailoring the experience to our interests. Her focus on areas genuinely captivated us, making the tour personal and engaging, leaving us with a unique and unforgettable experience. Leanne's tour was not just accommodating but a true testament to inclusivity. As a person who relies on a mobility scooter and with my trusty small camera, I felt cared for and considered throughout the tour. Leanne's meticulous planning and knowledge of accessible routes ensured that my wife could comfortably navigate the streets without making us feel rushed. Her thoughtful consideration made the tour a smooth and enjoyable experience for both of us, proving that this tour is a welcoming experience for all. Her clear and concise directions were not just instructions but stepping stones to significant improvement in our photography skills. Her invaluable tips on composition, lighting, and capturing the essence of street life were not just easy to apply, but they ignited a spark of creativity in us. Her approachable teaching style made even the most complex concepts understandable, and her feedback was always constructive and encouraging, fueling our motivation to learn and grow. This tour is a must for anyone looking to improve their photography skills, whether using a modern iPhone or a small camera.

I was looking for someone who not only knew the city, they know the people who make the city! Full of history as well as up to date on the current. Knew the places to pop in and get a break in the middle of any neighborhood. Leanne asks for her usual at every coffee shop…. they all know what it is! Will stop and talk to anybody as well as cuss out bad drivers who try to run you over!!!! Direct like a New York Photo Guide should be. Go for the experience that is Leanne… take your camera as an added bonus. You’ll be given great photo and dinner tips! A do not miss event dennis

You can read about/YouTube street photography but going out with a local and doing it makes a world of difference! Really enjoyed the Soho walking tour with Leanne. Her knowledge, technical guidance and insights that she shares along the way were all helpful, interesting and with enough wisdom and challenge to encourage learning. It had been a while since I picked up my camera and spending just a few hours with Leanne sharing her eye for NYC has reignited my curiosity and love of photography. The tour was a good pace, with loads of interesting perspectives, and is really what you want it to be. It's well worth the investment, because what you get out of it goes with you when the tour stops.

I've booked 1-2-1 photo tour with Leanne on my first day in NY. Leanne gave me a great introduction and most importantly confidence to venture out and explore the big city on my own. Being a photographer myself I found it surprising how challenging it was to photograph a completely different genre to my day-to-day work. Leanne definitely made me step out of my comfort zone, but that's a beauty of it. New York is awesome city and every part of it is hugely different. Definitely a place to come back!

Leanne was a wonderful guide through Chinatown for our photo tour. Her eye is amazing and she really showed us how to take great photos. We had a great meal in Chinatown and finished with a walk on the Manhattan Bridge.

Leanne was awesome! She is a great teacher and shared her unique knowledge of the city. We got several amazing photos, and she was patient and easy to work with. She did a particularly good job working with our 16 year old son. I’d highly recommend her to have a great day and expand your knowledge of street photography!!!

It was great to do this tour of SoHo with Leanne. She is very professional and opens up new perspectives. Thanks Leanne and see you next time

Leanne was an excellent teacher and gave great tips that were both beginner friendly and also tips for improving my skills in street photography. I feel I learned a ton from her, and she led us through multiple areas for photography opportunities. Highly recommended even if you're seasoned pro!

I've done some street photography before but Leanne has really helped me to take it to new levels! We spent two half days and one full day with Leanne in September. We were able to explore New York in ways we wouldn't have been able to on our own. Leanne took us to some of her favourite spots and certainly helped us to see, with new eyes, opportunities we otherwise might have walked right past. I'm really pleased with my images from the tours and am excited to do more. Thanks heaps, Leanne!

I had a lovely time while participating in Leanne's street photography workshop in SoHo (Manhattan). This workshop was my first real foray into street photography, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect (or do) - I typically do landscapes, which require different techniques. Leanne was patient, providing valuable tips and advice while navigating the SoHo neighborhood's bustling streets. I got ~ 75 photographs that I could use from the workshop. But more importantly, I now have a basic grasp of what to expect and do if I venture out alone. I live in Manhattan but still found the workshop valuable and enjoyable. I have been planning to go out and do street photography since I bought my FujiFilm x100V a couple of months back, and this workshop was just the motivation I needed to get out of the house finally. I would highly recommend Leanne's NYC workshops. I plan to do one again at the earliest opportunity in another neighborhood.

Fantastic photo walk with Leanne. I'm into landscape photography and not so much into street photography, but Leanne changed that. we had a woderful time walking up and down Manhattan, Leanne had a stroy to tell on every corner and showed us lots of perfect picture spots. And that it had rained in the morning and we were able to do lots of reflections was just a bonus. Worth every penny! I'll do it again next time I'm in NYC.

There's such a big difference between photos I took the day before and by the end of our time in midtown. Leanne has so much experience and insight that really helped to shift my analytical brain over to be much more present. She also has a great sense of humor and is a blast to be around. Any time I visit NYC I will be checking into see on plan my visit around her schedule.

Excellent tour with very knowledgeable guide. Leanne knows NYC like the back of her hand and it showed during my tour. Although I believe her to be mainly a street photographer, she helped me get the iconic touristy photos. Get a history of NYC while shooting some photos at a slow pace. I would highly recommend using Leanne for any of her tours.

A fantastic workshop - highly recommended. NYC is probably the perfect place for some ‘street photography’ and Leanne knows her craft. A New York guide herself, she knows where to go and where to find it. Venturing out into a city of 18.9m people, there’s plenty close by. Pack lite and prepare to really see. This was my first attempt at this style of photography (I’m a Sports Phot at heart), but I learned much; set up your camera and then ignore it as you seek out opportunities. It’s all about people and place but wow, what a backdrop to explore this niche form of photography.

My friends and I are amateur photographers, always looking for a cool new place to get some good shots and learn some new techniques. Leanne did not disappoint. Not only did we get some great shots that we would have never found on our own but, we also learned some great new techniques that we can use going forward. I can’t recommend Leanne Staples’ tours enough, and I can’t wait to come back again and try a new area with Leanne.

Attending Lennie's workshop was an incredibly inspiring experience. She's not just a photographer, but a passionate artist who lives and breathes her craft. Lennie shared some invaluable tips with us that will undoubtedly help us improve our photography skills. I have no doubt that I'll be reaching out to her again when I return to NYC. She truly deserves 5 stars and more for her expertise and enthusiasm.

Leann is a wealth of knowledge about both photography and New York City. We took the Brooklyn Bridge / DUMBO tour with Leann, and had a fantastic day in NYC. All the iconic views you expect, plus some hidden gems that Leann steers you to - it's a great tour from a true pro.

Leanne’s knowledge and enthusiasm for NYC and photography made for a fantastic photo walk of midtown. She is a very generous and gifted communicator who made me feel immediately at ease shooting street photography. I came away feeling much more confident shooting from the hip and I will be taking another tour the next time I’m in NYC. Highly recommended!

Great workshop with Leanne, she know a lot best spot in NYC. I will go again for another workshop. Thanks

Leanne knows the city so well and has iconic views and scenes to show you on her various neighborhood tours. We walked Hells Kitchen and she pointed out great features that I would've absolutely missed on my own. She has a good eye for detail and understands what you might want from a day on the streets with your camera. We had a very small group so it made it easy to wander and spend time how we wanted. Highly recommend!

I spent a fun half day with Leanne just ahead of New Year in Soho and the East Village. As a reasonably comfortable street photographer, the tour nevertheless got me thinking again about how I was taking pictures, particularly light and shadow and reflections. We put a particular emphasis on street art and murals as we went around. Leanne is a gifted teacher who engages comfortably and in a very New York way with you and the surroundings. We met at Astor Place mid-morning and spent four hours exploring Soho, Nolita and the East Village. Along the way we met and got talking to a BBC journalist, the guy in the Overthrow New York boxing club, an upcoming photographer Jean-Andre Antoine, with a side line in on-street Polaroid photos using a 1940s camera with a 1960 Polaroid back, @Biancadoesnyc refreshing one of her murals, and the people at John Vervatos - the former CBGB’s club. So this was also a trip in social history as well as some great photographic opportunities to see parts of town that I would not have discovered on my own. A really great experience which delivered some good photos. We finished at a bike shop, Rapha’s, which also does coffee and where you could sit outside at the back on a reasonably warm December day.

I really enjoyed my workshop with Leanne. I wouldn't have had the confidence to go out and shoot boldly without the workshop and it was really nice to meet fellow "classmates" with such diverse perspectives and talents. Workshop was a great balance of taking tons of photos and causal discussion about street photography with a great group of people. It felt like a lot of "bang for your buck" in terms of everything you do/absorb in the space of an afternoon. Leanne also seemed to know tons of cool artists out and about, which was a cool way to connect with people! I'll be back the next time I'm in NYC!

Leanne if very knowledgeable about NYC and specially about street photography. She is a real artist and it was a pleasure to spend time and walk the streets of BY with her

I've always been interested in street photography and Leanne was really helpful in giving me tips on improving my skills and teaching me some of hers! Was a great experience. I did a private tour on a weekday and Leanne was able to provide me this tour in less than 48 hours! Highly recommend it :)

If you are interested in and passionate about street photography, Leanne's workshops in New York are a must! I have already participated in 2 group and 3 private workshops and always enjoyed them very much, really advancing my photographic skills. Leanne is a wonderful person and a fantatstic street photographer!

The Iconic New York photography tour is fantastic! My friend and I enjoyed it, and I learned new techniques for getting the shots that interested me on the streets of New York City. I highly recommend it!