Richard Sandler
A Unique Opportunity to Study with Richard Sandler
For more than five decades, internationally recognized New York street photographer Richard Sandler has documented the energy, humour, tension, and humanity of public life, creating one of the most significant bodies of street photography to emerge from New York City.
Limited to eight participants, this two day workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from Richard through lectures, discussion, guided street photography, one on one mentorship, and professional critique while exploring the philosophy, observation, and visual language that have defined his work for more than fifty years.
Included with Registration
Two-day workshop with Richard Sandler
Two classroom sessions featuring Richard Sandler's photographs, prints, slideshow presentations, lectures, and discussion
Exploration of Richard Sandler's photographic influences, mentors, and creative development
Discussion of influential photobooks and the role they have played in Richard's growth as a photographer
An evening of photographs, critique, final print selection, and conversation with Richard Sandler
One hour of individual mentorship with Richard Sandler
One hour of individual mentorship with Andrew Legere
Two guided street photography sessions in downtown Vancouver
One photographic assignment
Workshop Handbook and Reference Materials
One professionally printed and custom framed archival photograph, presented using museum-quality printing, matting, and framing methods by Legere Fine Art Services (valued at over $300)
Your Finished Photograph
Each participant will leave the workshop with more than a collection of photographs. One of their own images will be selected, professionally printed, and custom framed as a finished exhibition piece.
Presented in an 11×14 frame with a custom cut museum mat and premium reflection free UV protective glass, each archival photograph will be produced using museum quality materials and conservation framing methods by Legere Fine Art Services. Designed for long term display and preservation, completed framed photographs will be available approximately one to two weeks following the workshop.
Example presentation only. Participants will receive a professionally printed and framed photograph created from their own work produced during the workshop. (Subway Noir, NYC, by Richard Sandler - Framed by Andrew Legere)
What You Will Explore
Through lectures, discussion, guided street photography, individual mentorship, and critique, participants will explore:
A curated selection of photographs from each participant
Richard Sandler's photographs and the stories behind them
Richard's approach to observation, timing, and photographing public life
How Richard works in the field, including what he looks for and how he recognizes a photograph
Richard's original slideshow presentations and working process
Photographs straight out of camera and the decisions that shaped them
Looking through the viewfinder and learning to anticipate moments before they occur
The differences between working with film and digital photography
The photographic print as the final expression of a photograph
Important photobooks from Richard's personal library and photographic journey
The photographers, mentors, and influences that shaped Richard's vision
Sequencing photographs into projects and larger bodies of work
Developing a personal photographic voice while learning from influence
© Fred Askew
Meet Richard Sandler
Since the 1970s, Richard Sandler has built an extraordinarily deep and complex body of work spanning more than five decades. His photographs reveal public life as something layered, unpredictable, humorous, tense, and deeply human. Still actively photographing and continuing his work as a filmmaker, Sandler's practice remains alive, evolving, and unfinished.
His photographs and films have been exhibited internationally and are held in major public collections throughout the United States.
Permanent Collections
Brooklyn Museum
Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Museum of the City of New York
New York Historical Society
New York Public Library
Selected Publications & Films
The Eyes of the City (2016)
Awards
New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship in Photography
John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship
New York State Council on the Arts Fellowship
Schedule
Enrollment is limited to eight participants. Throughout the workshop, each participant will receive one hour of individual street photography mentorship with Richard Sandler and one hour of individual mentorship with Andrew Legere.
Workshop Notes
Lunch is not included, snacks & refreshments provided in class
Transportation to and from the downtown photography locations is the responsibility of each participant.
Several suggested walking routes will be discussed throughout the workshop, allowing participants to choose a starting point for their photographic assignment and independent exploration.
Public transit, walking, and ride share services provide convenient access to each of the workshop locations in downtown, Vancouver.
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Thursday, August 20
10:00am - 8:00pmMorning
10:00am-12:00pm
Location: Legere Fine Art Services StudioReview and discussion of participant selected photographs
Learning from how others see, observe, and photograph the world
Richard Sandler's background and photographic journey
Richard's influences, mentors, and creative development
Important photographers, photobooks, and films
Richard's philosophy and approach to photography
Introduction of the photographic assignment
Questions and discussion
Lunch Break
12:00pm - 1:00pmAfternoon
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Legere Fine Art Services StudioRichard Sandler's photographs, prints, and slideshow presentations
Exploring Richard's approach to photographing public life
Observation, timing, composition, and instinct
Understanding what Richard sees and why he photographs it
Working methods in the field
Film versus digital photography
The photographic print and its role in the photographic process
Questions and discussion
Travel to Street Photography Location
4:00pm - 5:00pmEvening
5:00pm-8:00pm
Location: TBA (Downtown Vancouver)Guided street photography session in downtown Vancouver
One on one mentorship with Richard Sandler and Andrew Legere
Exploring the rhythms and movement of the city
Understanding where Richard chooses to work and why
Learning to recognize situations before they become photographs
Observation, timing, anticipation, and instinct on the street
Practical guidance and discussion while photographing
Individual feedback in the field
Questions and discussion
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Friday, August 21
10:00am - 7:00pmMorning
10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Legere Fine Art Services StudioReview and discussion of a selection of photographs made during the previous day's street photography session
Individual critique and guidance with Richard Sandler
Continuing exploration of Richard Sandler's photographs, philosophy, and creative process
Further discussion of Richard's influences, mentors, and photographic vision
Editing, image selection, and recognizing stronger photographs
Questions and discussion
Preparation for the afternoon guided street photography session in downtown Vancouver
Lunch Break
12:30pm-2:00pmAfternoon
2:00pm-7:00pm
Location: TBA (Downtown Vancouver)Guided street photography session in downtown Vancouver
One on one mentorship with Richard Sandler and Andrew Legere
Exploring the rhythms and movement of the city
Understanding where Richard chooses to work and why
Learning to recognize situations before they become photographs
Observation, timing, anticipation, and instinct on the street
Practical guidance and discussion while photographing
Individual feedback in the field
Questions and discussion
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Reflection, Critique & Print Selection
Wednesday, August 26th
5:00pm-8:00pmEvening
Location: Legere Fine Art Services Studio
(Online Zoom Meeting Available)Participants Submit
10–15 photographs created during or following the workshop
JPEG files or film scans
Critique & Discussion
A two-hour critique in person led by Richard Sandler & Andrew Legere
Group discussion of submitted photographs
Image review, editing, and selection
Final photographs chosen for archival printing and framing
Registration
Enrollment Limited to Eight Participants
Workshop Fee
$700.00 CAD (Taxes included)
Your Registration Includes
Two-day workshop with Richard Sandler
One hour of individual mentorship with Richard Sandler
One hour of individual mentorship with Andrew Legere
Guided street photography sessions in downtown Vancouver
Small group learning environment limited to eight participants
Lectures, discussion, and presentations exploring Richard Sandler's philosophy, influences, books, and films
Direct access to Richard Sandler throughout the workshop for questions, discussion, and feedback
Post-workshop critique and image selection session led by Richard Sandler
Professional guidance through editing, sequencing, and final image selection
One professionally printed and custom framed archival exhibition photograph, professionally presented as a finished exhibition piece using museum-quality materials and methods (valued at over $300)
A note from Andrew Legere,
Photography has always been more than a collection of photographs. It is also a community of ideas passed from one photographer to another. Every photographer learns from those who came before them through conversations, books, mentorship, criticism, and shared experience.
One of the reasons I created these workshops is to help create opportunities for that exchange to happen in person. To bring photographers together, to discuss photographs, to ask questions, to share knowledge, and to spend time learning directly from artists whose work has shaped the medium.
Workshops like this are rare. They allow us to move beyond photographs alone and into the ideas, philosophies, experiences, and ways of seeing that produced them.
~Andrew
Frequently Asked Questions
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These workshops are intended for photographers who are comfortable using their camera and are looking to deepen their understanding of photography as an artistic practice. While no formal training is required, participants should be open to discussion, critique, editing, sequencing, and creating finished photographic prints.
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Yes. Richard will lead the post workshop critique session and discuss the submitted photographs with the group before final image selection.
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Photowalks take place throughout central Vancouver and are intentionally planned around locations that are easily accessible by SkyTrain and public transit. In person workshops, critiques, and exhibition sessions are held in Mount Pleasant at Legere Fine Art Services Studio.
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Any camera you are comfortable using. Rangefinders, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, compact cameras, and film cameras are all suitable for the workshop.
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Yes. Participants are welcome to work with both film and digital photography throughout the workshops.
Film photographs intended for critique, sequencing, proofing, and exhibition must be professionally scanned and submitted digitally for printing and proofing sessions.
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Participants are encouraged to attend all workshop sessions to gain the full benefit of the experience. If you are unable to attend a portion of the workshop, please contact Andrew in advance. While some accommodations may be possible, individual mentorship sessions, group discussions, and critiques cannot always be rescheduled.
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Finished photographs will be professionally printed, custom framed, and ready for collection approximately one to two weeks following the critique and final image selection session.
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Participants should be comfortable walking for several hours throughout downtown Vancouver. The pace will be relaxed, with frequent opportunities to stop, photograph, and discuss.
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The workshop will proceed rain or shine. Street photography often presents unique opportunities in changing weather conditions.
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No. Participants will be responsible for their own meals and refreshments during the workshop.
Refreshments will be available during class sessions in the studio.
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Enrollment is intentionally limited to ensure that every participant receives one hour of individual mentorship with Richard Sandler and one hour of individual mentorship with Andrew Legere, while still allowing time for group discussion, photography, and critique.