Poetry of the Street: Santa Fe and Albuquerque
with Sonia Goydenko
September 14 – 18, 2026
Course Description
Street photography thrives on attention—attention to light, to fleeting gestures, and to the subtle relationships between people and place. Long-time street photography aficionado and Santa Fe resident Sonia Goydenko leads this five-day immersive workshop. Together you explore the streets of Santa Fe and Albuquerque as living, ever-changing stages, shaped by the extraordinary light of Northern New Mexico.
You photograph daily in a variety of settings—from the vibrant energy of the New Mexico State Fair to the quiet rhythms of the Farmers Market, from the historic streets of downtown Santa Fe to the shifting perspectives experienced aboard the Rail Runner to Albuquerque. Sunset at the Cross of the Martyrs offers a chance to explore atmosphere, silhouette, and the emotional qualities of light. Using Santa Fe and Albuquerque as our classrooms, we explore how timing, gesture, light, and environment come together to create compelling street photographs.
Each day balances working on the streets with guided editing and post-processing sessions with Sonia, helping you refine your visual voice and deepen an understanding of composition, timing, framing, and intention. Sonia’s short, dynamic lectures introduce key concepts in street photography—working with light and shadow, layering, and visual storytelling—while group image reviews provide supportive, thoughtful feedback.
This workshop is ideal for the beginner street photographer as well as more advanced photographers who want to sharpen their street photography skills while developing a more intuitive, responsive relationship to the dynamic theater of the ever-changing street.
Additional Information
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
What You Should Know:
Participants must be proficient in digital workflow and custom functions on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Participants must be able to download, select, and submit images for class each day.
Special Notes:
Computer workstations equipped with M-series Mac minis are provided in the Digital Lab. Please ensure any external hard drives are formatted to be read by Mac systems. See "Santa Fe Campus" for more details.
Activity Level:
To get the most from your workshop experience, participants should be in good physical (mobility, stamina) and mental health. Come prepared for the high elevation of New Mexico, long days, and seasonal weather including warm temperatures. You must be able to carry your own photographic and personal gear at all times, both on campus and on location. You are responsible for being open and honest about your physical fitness, and we reserve the right to remove you from the workshop if we find your fitness to be less than that which you have described.
Participants should be able to engage in moderate outdoor exercise for up to an hour or more at a time. Location work may include early morning and/or late evening shoots.
Accommodations:
Participants are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements in Santa Fe. On-campus accommodations are not currently available.
Package Price INFO:
$1,395 includes instruction, location fees, daily beverage service, and one group meal. Travel, accommodations, and all other meals are the responsibility of the participant.
Policies:
View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for domestic workshops.
about
Sonia Goydenko is an award-winning, internationally exhibited street and fine art photographer whose work has been recognized by prestigious festivals, including the Italian Street Photo Festival, Miami Street Photo Festival, and Aussie Street Photography Festival. Sonia’s work has been published by a range of esteemed publications such as Huffington Post, Eyeshot Magazine, and The Pictorialist, and is part of the celebrated book Women Street Photographers. Her photography has been exhibited in various galleries worldwide, such as Umbrella Arts, Trieste Photo, Contact Photo, and Plaxall Gallery.
With a rich background as a guest lecturer at the School of Visual Arts and a judge for Italian street photography competitions, Sonia brings unparalleled insight into the world of photography. She’s a member of the New York City Street Photography Collective, regularly teaches photography workshops, and offers personalized portfolio reviews online. With a dedicated commitment to nurturing emerging talent, Sonia has helped many aspiring photographers towards acclaim in some of the most renowned festivals and competitions, such as LensCulture, Italian Street Photo Festival, and Women Street Photographers Exhibitions. Sonia splits her time between Santa Fe and New York City.
Website: soniagoydenko.com
Instagram: @soniagoydenko
