Lisbon Street Photography Workshop with José Sarmento Matos September 2026

Lisbon Street Photography Workshop with José Sarmento Matos

This intensive three-day workshop focuses on developing an exciting and cohesive photographic series through street and documentary photography in Lisbon.

Participants will research, observe, photograph, edit, and sequence a body of work that reflects their personal response to the city. The aim is to produce a final edit of 8–10 images, focusing on Lisbon as a whole, a specific neighbourhood, or a personal theme developed during the workshop with the expert help and guidance of acclaimed Portuguese documentary and street photographer José Sarmento Matos.

The emphasis is on consistency, storytelling, and understanding how images function together as a series, while also working towards making strong individual photographs.

José Sarmento Matos will guide participants through his working process, from anticipating light and situations on the street to editing and sequencing a meaningful body of work. Based in London and originally from Lisbon, José will lead the group through the city using his local knowledge of Lisbon’s hills, streets, and riverfront.

Along with the talks, practical photo walks and editing and critique sessions, this workshop is also a fun social experience, with two included group meals and additional after workshop drinks and social events as well as an extra optional evening shoot.

About your tutor

José Sarmento Matos is a Portuguese documentary and street photographer based in London, originally from Lisbon. Having grown up in the city, he knows it very well and has returned many times to produce photography projects and multiple assignments, as well as to lead several Photography workshops in the Portuguese capital.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how to build a visual story by creating 8–10 images to gain a stong understanding of the main elements of photographic narrative, including establishing how to make images on subjects ranging from people at work and at play, to portraits, details, and human relationships and interactions.

The workshop will focus on developing consistency in style, subject, and visual language, editing and sequencing images into a coherent series, anticipating light, gestures, and situations in street and documentary photography, and understanding and exploring the use of colour.

Schedule
 

Friday (Half day)

• Introductions and workshop overview
• Presentation by José Sarmento Matos, including selected work made in Lisbon
• Discussion on photographic process, reading light, predicting situations, and building a consistent visual narrative
• Participant introductions and discussion of individual goals
• Evening photo walk and shooting session in central Lisbon
• Group dinner included

Saturday – Shooting, Research and Story Development

• Early morning photo walk in central Lisbon and/or Cacilhas
• Field work focusing on street photography, space, people, and visual rhythm
• Developing a narrative structure while shooting
• Afternoon editing session: image selection, relationships between images, early sequencing
• Group feedback and discussion
• Optional evening shooting session (dinner not included)

Sunday – Editing, Sequencing and Final Narrative

• Final shooting session based on individual projects and areas of interest
• Editing and sequencing session to produce a final edit of 8–10 images per participant
• Lunch included
• One-to-one and group feedback on images
• Discussion on presentation, cohesion, and continuing project development

Local Areas to Explore
 

Lisbon – Central & Historic Neighbourhoods

All within walking distance and rich in visual potential, including Downtown Lisbon, Príncipe Real, Bairro Alto, Chiado, Alfama, and Graça.
 

River Walk

From Terreiro do Paço to the Santos area, a strong visual axis combining people, architecture, light, and everyday life.
 

Alfama and Graça Walk

A focused exploration of two of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods, offering layered history, intimate spaces, and strong human presence.

Optional / Alternative Locations

Depending on time and group interests, additional locations may include:
 

Cacilhas
Reached by a 20-minute ferry from Cais do Sodré, offering a contrasting atmosphere with a rougher edge, strong colours, graphic forms, and panoramic views of Lisbon and the bridge.

Cascais
An old fishing village turned touristic town, approximately 30 minutes by train from Lisbon, offering a different pace, coastal light, and visual rhythm.

Final Outcome

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a completed and coherent photographic series, a deeper understanding of visual storytelling, and practical tools to develop future street and documentary photography projects.

What is included in the price?

Professional Photographer led tuition with local knowledge, expertise and native Portuguese speaker
Expert Leica Akademie technical assistance
Dinner on Friday Night
Lunch on Sunday

The workshop price does not include

Flights
Alcoholic Drinks
Tips
Any visa costs
Medical and health related costs

Date and Time

Friday, 11th to Sunday, 13th September 2026
8am to 6pm each day
 

Location

Lisbon, Portugal (see schedule above for locations)