PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES IN MEXICO CITY

Signature of Alex Cogleh
Two pedestrians walking on a sidewalk in front of a red shuttered storefront with Asian characters and plants in a city setting.
View of a street with a tall pyramid-shaped building in the background, streetlights, trees, a sidewalk, and a speed limit sign.
City street scene with parked cars, construction barrels marked with 'CIMESA', construction crane, and a building in the background.
A black and white photo of a young man with styled hair, wearing a hoodie and jacket, standing on a city street next to a wall with graffiti and stickers. The young man is looking to the side with a serious expression.

Two ways of seeing Mexico City

Mexico City can be photographed in many different ways.

You can move through the streets looking for people, gestures, interactions and fleeting moments.

Or you can slow down and look at the city itself: its architecture, its traces, its contradictions, its empty spaces and the ways human presence has transformed the landscape.

These are two different photographic approaches: Street Photography and Human Altered Landscape.

Both are part of the way I see and photograph Mexico City.

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STREET PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

Photographing people, moments and the life of the city

A private one-to-one photography experience focused on observation, timing, composition and personal vision.

We work directly in the streets of Mexico City, photographing real situations and learning how to see, anticipate and make decisions in real time.

This is not a photographic tour.

It is not about visiting the "best spots" or collecting images of Mexico City.

It is about learning to see the street with greater awareness and developing your own photographic language.

Choose your experience

FULL DAY
8 Hours
$950 USD

A deeper one-to-one experience with two shooting sessions, image review, conversations about your photographic practice and time to work on your personal approach.

HALF DAY
4 Hours
$550 USD

An intensive immersion into street photography, combining continuous shooting with practical feedback and discussion.

INTENSIVE SESSION
2 Hours
$320 USD

A concentrated introduction to my approach, with immediate shooting, observation exercises and live feedback on the street.

EXPLORE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE

HUMAN ALTERED LANDSCAPE EXPERIENCE

Photographing the traces of human presence

Not every photograph of a city needs a person in it.

Sometimes the human presence is already there.

In the architecture, the walls, the roads, the signs, the abandoned spaces, the modifications, the accidents and the contradictions of the urban landscape.

Human Altered Landscape is a photographic experience focused on this territory.

We walk through Mexico City looking at how people have altered the landscape and how those interventions can become photographs.

The objective is not simply to photograph architecture.

It is to learn how to recognize visual relationships, traces, forms, spaces and situations that reveal something about the relationship between human beings and the places they inhabit.

This is a slower and more contemplative way of photographing the city.

It is particularly suited to photographers interested in urban landscape, documentary photography, architecture, New Topographics, contemporary landscape and personal photographic projects.

Choose your experience

8 HOURS
$950 USD

A deeper immersion into the city, allowing more time to explore different environments, work on a personal photographic approach and develop a coherent body of images.

4 HOURS
$550 USD

A private one-to-one photographic experience exploring the altered urban landscape of Mexico City.


EXPLORE HUMAN ALTERED LANDSCAPE EXPERIENCE

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Both experiences are private and one-to-one.

There are no groups and no fixed photographic formulas.

I adapt the experience to your level, your interests and the way you photograph.

My role is not to tell you what to photograph.

It is to help you see more clearly, make stronger decisions and understand what you are trying to say with your photographs.

The goal is not to leave Mexico City with a collection of tourist images.

The goal is to leave with a different way of looking.

ABOUT ALEX COGHE

I am a professional photographer and photojournalist based in Mexico City since 2010.

My photographic work moves between documentary photography, street photography, portraiture and urban landscape.

Over the years I have photographed Mexico City from many different perspectives, and teaching has become an important part of my photographic practice.

I believe photography is ultimately less about technique and more about seeing.

The camera is only the tool.

The real work begins before you press the shutter.

HOW IT WORKS

01 — CHOOSE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Street Photography or Human Altered Landscape.

02 — CHOOSE YOUR FORMAT

2, 4 or 8 hours, depending on the experience.

03 — CHOOSE YOUR DATE

Dates are limited and confirmed upon booking.

04 — MEET IN MEXICO CITY

We photograph, discuss, experiment and work together.

THIS IS NOT A TOUR

These experiences are designed for photographers.

You don't need to be a professional.

You don't need expensive equipment.

You don't need to know Mexico City.

What you need is curiosity and the willingness to photograph differently.

Black and white portrait of a man wearing a fedora hat and a dark shirt.

Two ways of seeing Mexico City

Dates are limited and confirmed upon booking. Advance payment is required to secure availability.

Check availability

PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCES IN MEXICO CITY

Led by Alex Coghe, editorial and documentary photographer working between Mexico City and international editorial assignments, with over a decade of experience teaching and mentoring photographers

Reflection of a woman with long dark hair wearing a striped shirt, sitting at a table, looking through a glass window with city buildings and cars outside.

You won’t just take photos. You’ll learn how to see in the street

Signature-style text reading 'Alex Cogne'.
Black and white illustration of a man's face wearing a fedora hat.

Since 2011, I have been mentoring photographers worldwide in Mexico City, where I developed my career as a photographer and which remains a vibrant and inspiring place for everyone passionate about photography.

“The workshop is still affecting the way I think when I take pictures.” - Carl Pfirman

TESTIMONIALS

  • I now feel prepared to go out and shoot on the streets without hesitation. And that's what I most wanted. Thank you!!

    Chris Thrue

  • The Alex Street Photography Experience was unlike anything I'd done before. My photos weren't downplayed or dismissed and I was given useful tips on capturing more engaging scenes tailored to what I personally needed to work on as an improving photographer. This workshop truly is an amazing experience that I believe will be formative for me as a photographer in the future.

    Akemi Kawanabe

  • Unforgettable and highly constructive experience

    Gian Luca Marino, Turin

  • Great to meet you and go out on the streets with you. The workshop was great for me, and it is continuing to affect the way I am thinking when I am taking pictures.   It was great that we started by chatting over coffee about my answers to your questionnaire.  It really helped that you had seen some of my work.  I love shadows and sun, but it was cloudy the day of the workshop, so you asked me how I was going to approach shooting without sun and shadows.  I thought about working in layers, and we talked about that approach.  I loved the part of the workshop where we went to the transit stop and just watched the action for a while before making any pictures.  It was fascinating to watch the scene change from moment to moment.  I found that I was able to see complex layers in that area. I also appreciated that you encouraged me to work with reflections, to change up my angles, and to get more emotions in my work.  Those are directions that I will continue working on. It was great at the end of the workshop when you looked through my photos on the camera. At first, I was nervous about letting you see all of my flawed pictures!  But I’m very glad that I allowed you to look through the photos and allowed myself to be vulnerable.  I listened to what you said very carefully about not cropping images.  After the workshop, I found myself framing photos in camera with the intention of NOT cropping anything.  The workshop has affected me for sure.

    Carl Pfirman, Los Angeles

  • Alex is a knowledgable and passionate teacher. His passion for street photography and for passing on his know-how really shows and has a great impact on whoever is willing to listed. Set in the magical streets of Mexico City, Alex will take you through steets and alleys in a workshop that is supposed to ignite the sparkle and make you fall in love with street photography and with Mexico. Although Alex is very clear about his artistic vision and workflow (as he explains in detail) he never pushes an agenda and is adamant that you should Be developing your own style and approach. Even as someone who mainly deals with landscape photography, I feel enriched by the experience and I strongly reccomend this to anyone!

    Enrico Baldassari

  • The workshop with Alex is a day to remember as he is an engaging person, enthusiastic about his work and above all very well prepared. After having done a workshop with him, she begins to think differently about photography and photographic vision. Definitely an educational experience. It is more a day in which a seed is transmitted that can make a plant grow in those who intend to cure it, rather than 10 useless workshops that promise to create photographers.

    Gianni Ranuio, Saronno

  • It was a" journey "full of emotions. I tried to do my best, and I learned a lot from your advice Alex Coghe.

    Tatiana Biagini, Florence

  • Fantastic experience, I hope to be able to repeat it

    Michele Cernigliaro, Catania

  • Alex Coghe's workshop, for example, of all those I've done, has this goal of creating something in the long run and even if I contribute little from abroad, it's the first that comes to mind as a post-workshop involvement and therefore what I would recommend at the moment. In addition to being the only one for whom I "came out" with the idea of taking photos for a project that is very important for those who start.

    Iacopo Biondi, Milan

  • Thanks to you Alex Coghe for the professionalism, humanity, enthusiasm and magic of photography that you managed to convey to me. It was truly a wonderful experience.

    William Actis, Turin

  • Many thanks for the wonderful time I had with you walking in the streets of Mexico city for two days. Your flexibility in making the workshop a pure shooting experience for me was fantastic. It was nice to see you in action and work through the various modes – shooting fast at times and then slowing down and concentrating on different com-positional elements. I liked the way you look at street photography as a sum total of urban architecture, elements, geometry, and people. Thanks again for workshop.”

    Jag M., Washington DC

  • Thanks for the two day individual workshop. I enjoyed it and learnt a lot. I found your presentations very knowledgeable and helpful. I particularly enjoyed being able to walk through the Centro Historico area of Mexico City and photograph the amazing street scenes together. Best wishes and keep in touch.

    Mark Bassett, Canberra

  • Thanks Alex Coghe 4 everything In The workshop, it was great, so happy to learn from you. The honor is 4 me you really are a Professional!!! Thanks!!! If I need to come to MX again to learn more from you I will do!!!!

    José Marcelo Llobet, Costarica

  • On Monday, I did a one-day street photography workshop with professional photographer Alex Coghe. It was a great experience and I learned things that immediately improved my photography. Alex, originally from Rome, has been in el D.F. for 5 years and his approach to photography really opened my eyes.I won’t divulge any of his secrets – you will have to take a workshop if you are in central Mexico – but I will say that I am now shooting almost exclusively in manual mode. I used to shoot mostly in aperture priority, but now I am going full manual with aperture, time, and focus, with only ISO on automatic. It has already helped me get sharper images when shooting street photos.

    Jeff Bell, Alaska

  • Hi Alex I want to thank you very much for the workshop, I took something to write for various reasons, wanted to be quiet, without the euphoria of all this visual maelstrom you showed me, taking several days to assimilate all the information and many others in processing, pass by several stages euphoria, frustration, anger, etc. etc. until I could and achieve it in pictures, I’ve been practicing with a point and shoot to shoulder and chest shots is difficult because these cameras are slow to definitely focus me urgently needs fuji I have also been looking at many images, many photographers, I have many styles of everything visual soaked I can, sometimes I go down the street and see some interesting scene then I hear anything you said, is not funny? I think there is a radical change in my pictures I can see the progress that I’m very excited and passionate when I made a good picture.

    Marie Reyes, Mexico City

  • Thank you, Alex! Great experience, intense, instructive, a huge punch, also a brilliant human encounter! What a weekend! Highly recommended!

    Reuven Halevi, Rome

  • The workshop with Alex was fantastic. It was clear that he is not only a skilled photographer but also an effective coach and teacher. I really enjoyed our time together and walked away several practical learnings and photos. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to improve their craft.

    M.I., Houston TX

Three people sitting outdoors against a stone wall, engaged in conversation, with two holding mobile phones. One woman is looking at a man with a serious expression, while the man is focused on his phone.
Three people engaging in a conversation on a busy city street with buildings, pedestrians, and outdoor cafes in the background.
Two men are closely examining a camera or electronic device among a group of people in an outdoor setting, with one man showing the device to the other.
Two men are having a conversation, one with glasses and the other is bald, in an indoor setting with dark brick walls.
Group of people on a city street, some holding cameras and looking at a smartphone, with buildings and more pedestrians in the background.
Group of people examining a camera in the center, with several holding additional cameras.
Group of five people closely gathered outdoors, looking at a camera held by one person, with some people holding notebooks and wearing casual clothing.
Group of tourists walking in a European city square with historic buildings and architecture.
A group of people talking on a city street, with a man wearing glasses and a black shirt at the center.
A group of six people walking on a cobblestone street in an urban area, some holding cameras and taking photos, with historic buildings and an archway in the background.
A woman with a teal backpack and striped shirt kneels to take a photo of three people standing in front of a stone building, with one person holding a jacket.
Smiling woman holding a camera on a city street with pedestrians and tall buildings
Young woman with long brown hair holding a camera standing on a city sidewalk with cars and shops behind her.
A woman with light skin and brown, wavy hair seen from above, holding a silver and black vintage-style camera, adjusting the camera's viewfinder.
Person holding a Leica camera in an outdoor urban setting with people and cars in the background.
A man with glasses and a tan complexion takes a photo with a camera on a city street, wearing a white t-shirt and a leather strap bag, with an old building in the background.

WORKSHOP FRAMES

The series to show the work of my students

ALEXA SAMUELS
AKEMI KAWANABE
Young woman sitting at a table inside a cafe, looking through a window with reflections of a city street and buildings outside, wearing a striped shirt and resting her chin on her hand.
Black and white photo of blurred city street scene with passersby, including a woman with short hair in the foreground and a woman with a hat in the background, reflected in a window.
Person dressed as the Joker character from Batman, with painted face, dark clothing, and a sinister expression, walking on a city street at dusk.
Man wearing hat and vest sitting on a city bench, talking on cell phone, with blurred moving vehicle and several pedestrians in the background.
An elderly woman with short hair is standing outdoors, taking a sip from an ice cream cone while holding a plastic bag. She is positioned next to a large advertisement featuring a close-up of a woman's face, with only the lower half visible. The back
Person walking in a tunnel with black and yellow backpack, yellow jacket, and neon yellow shoes, in front of a yellow arrow painted on the floor.
A woman with curly hair in a red hat and a patterned dress walks on the sidewalk carrying a box of Corona beer. She is walking past a store with bright signs and a glass door, under a black umbrella.
A woman with long black hair wearing a large blue hat and a floral top stands amidst a crowd of people at a busy outdoor location, with a red double-decker bus in the background.
A group of watermelons on the sidewalk in front of a building entrance, with three people standing and talking at the doorway.
Street scene with a colorful mural of two faces on a wall, people walking and shopping in front of a marketplace with clothing and items displayed.
Multiple people standing outside a building, with one man in the foreground holding onto a pole, dressed in a sweater and glasses, and a woman on the left wearing a floral top and scarf, all in black and white.
Street scene in an urban area with pedestrians, storefronts with closed shutters, and trees.
A street scene in black and white with people walking across a crosswalk, a woman with a backpack standing in the foreground, and a man sitting on a bench wearing a mask. There are cars parked alongside the street, large buildings, and billboards in
Group of people standing on a rooftop with a glass barrier, city buildings in the background, some engaging in conversation, with one person leaning on the barrier and a child carrying a red backpack.
A woman on a motor scooter is talking to a young girl at a street market stall. The woman is sitting on the scooter, holding a package, and wearing a white quilted jacket and pink pants. The girl is standing beside a motorcycle, wearing a gray shirt,
A painted image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is attached to a tree, decorated with gold tinsel and flowers, in an outdoor setting with a bus and people in the background.
A city street scene in black and white. A man in a plaid robe drinking from a cup, walking towards the camera. Street vendors and people walking in both directions. Cars on the road, buildings with signs, and hanging streetlights.
A person with glasses, wearing a black hoodie, sitting at an outdoor table with sunlight streaming over them, surrounded by parked cars and street buildings.

Free Video Masterclass: The Perfect Starting Point

If you're considering joining a Street Photography Experience in Mexico City, this free video masterclass is the best place to start.

It introduces the philosophy, mindset, and practical approach that shape the way I work in the streets. You'll gain valuable insights that can help you begin developing your own vision and confidence before we ever meet in person.

That said, the masterclass is not intended to replace the experience of photographing alongside me. Watching videos and being out on the streets are two very different things. The real value of a personal experience comes from direct guidance, live feedback, learning how to react to unpredictable situations, and understanding the subtle decisions that happen in real time.

Think of this masterclass as the first step of the journey. It provides a strong foundation and prepares you for a much deeper learning experience when we explore the streets together.

 FAQs

 

  • Although my street photography courses are thought for people with a knowledge of the camera and an understanding of exposure triangle, I also teach those who start with photography, in the idea that there is not only one way to take pictures and you can take good photos even using the most automatic settings. The important thing is always and only the result and my teaching is less orthodox, without universal rules and I am a patient and understanding teacher. You may be new to the genre of street photograohy or you may be an experienced street photographer: my workshops are highly customized by creating a student profile.

  • Walking is part of a street photographer's business. To walk is very necessary. On a full-day workshop, we usually walk around 10 km. Having said that, I know how to adjust to the student. I've had people in my 80s and I clearly don't expect the same kind of commitment.

  • Anything from a good basic digital compact camera to a professional DSLR will be fine, even a smartphone is OK with me. I have also students using a film camera. Usually I recommend to avoid to bring a lot of gear: one camera, one lens is still the best option for me. My recommendation about the lens is anything between 24mm and 50mm FF equivalent. And yes, better the prime lens than zoom lenses.

  • Just bring your cameraset-up, spare batteries, spare memory cardsand last but not least comfortable shoes.

  • Mexico City is very quiet in this respect. Although it can also rain very heavily at certain times of the year, in any case it is not like other cities and it never rains all day. With that said, if it rains, it will be my guarantee to find places where we will allow the show to continue.

  • After the payment I will send you all the instructions about our meeting point. this will change based on where you will be based in the city but mostly based on the type of workshop I have designed for you, according to your student profile.

  • You can bring a friend to my street photography experience workshops just in case the person is accompaning us and cannot be considered a photographer or person interested in photography.

    If your friend is another photographer is permitted for an additional 200 US$.

  • In that case it would be a masterclass and the cost increases significantly. It must also be discussed together and my role would not be limited to that of a guide because I teach and I don't do the accompaniment. In the past they asked me to take them to Tepito or build wokshops even in more dangerous areas. Personal safety comes first.

  • Mexico City is no more dangerous than other megacities. I've lived here for well over a decade and nothing really dangerous has ever happened to me. As a photo coach my main interest is that my students are not exposed to any unpleasant events and therefore I try to avoid going to places that could endanger their safety. Those who come with me must feel at ease throughout the experience.

  • Once registered I will send a questionnaire that creates the student profile and this includes the request for information on eating preferences. The experience must be comfortable in all aspects for the student.

Two hikers walking on a dirt trail in a mountainous area with hills and mountains in the background, sunny sky.

Do you want to know the other workshops and photographic expeditions available?

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