LONDON

London is a world metropolis with a pulse and a character all its own, shaped by its iconic landmarks. Londoners are proud of their long history, and here the distinctly British and traditional mixes with international influence, It is perhaps precisely these contrasts that make the city so compelling. There is a mix of past and future here, of understated charm and brash glamour, of skyscrapers springing up like mushrooms while the taxis still look as though they have driven straight out of an old Hitchcock film. There is a parliament with an upper class in the House of Lords and Beefeaters at the Tower, and at the same time the multicultural parts of East London showcase the newest youth trends and the best vintage shopping. That a large share of the population was born outside Europe naturally adds to this melting pot of culture, art, fashion and food.

SHOREDITCH

Shoreditch, one of London’s eastern districts, has undergone a great transformation in recent years. Since the eighteenth century the poor working class lived here, side by side with crime and prostitution. In the 1980s something new began to happen. Some of the many artists who had chosen to live here, mainly because of the low rents, broke through. Suddenly fashion designers, artists and others among London’s more bohemian population noticed the area and poured in. Today Shoreditch is more fashionable than ever and the area has become an obvious choice for anyone working in fashion or art. The old brick warehouses have been turned into interactive galleries, and countless buildings have served as canvases for street artists including Banksy. Cool design shops mix with international food markets, while buskers frame the whole experience in sound.

HOXTON

Together with Shoreditch this is part of the historic East End. Both Shoreditch and Hoxton have gone through great change. After the Second World War industry took over and pushed out small shops and traders. In the later 1980s the artists moved in, and with them came creative businesses, magazines and IT companies. By the end of the 1990s the people living here had a style of their own and could often be recognised by their slightly unusual clothes. In the early 2000s the area put the “Hoxton Fin” haircut on the map. While the southern parts are made up of vintage shops and galleries, the northern parts of Hoxton are residential.

HACKNEY

Hackney is a district with a pulse, where cultures and contrasts meet. More than 40 languages are spoken here, giving the area a diversity you notice everywhere – in the markets, in the queue at a café, among people heading in every direction. Hackney has a striking history of change, from a worn working-class district to one of the hippest neighbourhoods in the world, where old brick façades now meet graffiti and fashionable cafés. That very tension between the authentic and the fashionable is the heart of what makes the area so photogenic.

CAMDEN MARKET

Camden Market is one of London’s most popular attractions, with around 300,000 visitors every weekend. There has been trading here for centuries, but Camden Market as it looks today has existed for more than 30 years. It is really three markets in one – Buck Street Market, Camden Lock Market and Stables Market – which have all grown and now stretch from Camden Town station to Chalk Farm station. Two large fires have swept through over the years, but the market has been rebuilt each time and keeps changing and adapting. Alongside fashion, vintage, crafts and a fine mix of people from every corner of the world, you will find good, affordable food, best eaten sitting down by the canal at Lock Market.

13–16 MAY 2027

During the trip Mats Alfredsson will give talks, offer tips and advice. Mats will of course be out with the group for all the photography, on hand with tips and advice.

DAY 1, (13/5) – WELCOME TO LONDON
We meet after lunch at our hotel, the Ibis London Stratford, where Mats Alfredsson welcomes you. To get a real feel for London we begin with a visit to a proper English pub, where Mats will tell you more about the days ahead and give some first tips and advice on what to keep in mind as we head out into the city’s street life for our first shooting session. Dinner is at a good restaurant and is paid for individually on the spot. (-)

DAY 2, (14/5) – STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
We begin the day by talking through yesterday’s experiences. Mats will also give a talk and share plenty of tips and tricks that will be of real use over the coming days.

We then head to Camden Market to take in its exuberant street life. People of every background gather and press through the throng to booming music and the smell of food from all over the world. The stalls sell everything from unusual clothes and records to crafts and vintage. This, and much else, makes Camden Market a perfect place for street photography. Lunch on your own.

During the day Mats will set assignments to challenge your creativity and push you towards striking street images. The day ends with Mats handing out an evening assignment to be presented the following morning. Dinner on your own. (B)

MATS ALFREDSSON • Street photographer

Mats Alfredsson is one of Europ’s best-known street photographers. For 20 years he has been deeply involved in the development of street photography both in Sweden and internationally, running workshops and organising street photography trips to cities such as London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Lisbon and Chicago.

Mats is one of the originators of the large photo walks in Gothenburg, with more than 200 participants. He has held a number of exhibitions in both Sweden and the United States, and in 2015 published the book Chicago Streetwalk.

www.matsalfredsson.com

IBIS LONDON STRATFORD***+

PRICE

Price per person: USD 1.980

The price includes:

• Accommodation in a shared double room at the hotel listed.
• Breakfast at the hotel.
• All street photography activities according to the programme.
• Mats Alfredsson taking part throughout the trip.
• A talk by Mats Alfredsson during the trip.
• Image review with Mats Alfredsson.
• Practical travel information before departure.
• Local hotel and other taxes.

The price does not include:

• Flights to London.
• Single room supplement: USD 490
• Lunches and dinners.
• Underground tickets.
• Cancellation protection and travel insurance. See “Other” on our website for details.
• All costs of a personal nature, such as drinks.

GETTING THERE

You should not arrive in London later than 11.00 on 13 May, and should not book your return journey earlier than about 16.00 on 16 May.

If you would like us to book flights to London, or help with extra nights, email us at info@zoomphototours.com, call us on +46 70 180 90 99 or note it in the booking form.

LUNCHES & DINNERS

Lunches and dinners are not included in the price and are paid for individually on the spot. The reason is that the group moves between several areas of East London, and we eat at local restaurants wherever we happen to be.

FACTS

Who it is for: photographers who want to develop their skills in street photography.

Language: Swedish, English.

Min/max participants: 5/6.

Exchange rate used: GBP 1,35 (as of Sept 1 2026)

Other: for more about Zoom Photo Tours, terms of delivery and so on, see “Other” on our website.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

• Your digital camera.
• Wide-angle and standard zooms from 16–70 mm, or primes up to 200 mm.
• A laptop with Photoshop or Lightroom.
• Spare batteries and memory cards.

BOOKING

Book this trip using the button below, or call us on +46 70 180 90 99 or by email info@zoomphototours.com