Inside the Mexico Street Photo Fest: My Photowalk Experience in Querétaro
It has now been three months since we arrived in Querétaro, and somehow it still feels a bit like a dream. Every time I walk through the historic center—listening to the music, the conversations, and the rhythm of daily life—I’m reminded of why this city captured our hearts so quickly. There’s something magical about being surrounded by history and motion at the same time.
One afternoon, on my way home from the gym, curiosity led me to peek into a photography studio called Eztudio 4. Since settling into Querétaro, I’ve been eager to get more involved in the local creative community, and I figured this would be a good place to start. Maybe they’d have workshops where I could brush up on my skills, meet people, and feel a little more rooted in this new home.
They didn’t have any classes scheduled for the rest of the year—but what they did have was even better. The attendant told me about the Mexico Street Photo Fest happening throughout the city and mentioned that Eztudio 4 was one of the festival’s partners. They handed me links, shared recommendations, and encouraged me to join an upcoming photowalk.
The minute I heard “photowalk,” I was sold. After organizing them for years in Austin, the idea of joining one here—surrounded by new faces and new streets—felt like exactly the type of connection I’d been craving. Little did I know how meaningful the experience would be.
In this post, I’ll share what the Mexico Street Photo Fest is, walk you through the photowalk itself, and leave you with the biggest takeaways from the day.
Attendees making their way though the Centro of Queretaro.
What Is the Mexico Street Photo Fest?
The Mexico Street Photo Fest (MSPF) celebrated its third edition in 2025 and has quickly become Latin America’s largest international street photography festival. For a full month, the city transforms into a hub of creativity, featuring exhibitions, conferences, workshops, photowalks, photo critiques, and spaces where photographers and enthusiasts gather to celebrate a shared passion.
This year’s festival showcased seven exhibitions, featuring artists from around the world, all juried by renowned international photographers. The level of talent and diversity on display was incredible.
And the fact that all of this was happening right here in Querétaro—the city I now call home—made it even more special. Although I found out about the festival a bit late, I was determined to join the photowalk and immerse myself in at least one part of the experience.
Our host Mariana pointing to the use of shadows when creating photographs.
The Photowalk Experience
That Saturday morning, I stepped out into the cool air, camera slung over my shoulder, and made my way toward Plaza de Armas, where the group was meeting. There’s something energizing about walking to a creative event—you can almost feel the anticipation building with every step.
When I arrived, the plaza was already buzzing with photographers chatting, adjusting their cameras, and warming up their creative eyes. The walk was hosted by street photographer Mariana Basurto, who welcomed us along with members of the MSPF staff. As people trickled in, the atmosphere grew more lively and familiar. I struck up conversations with a few participants, including a couple of photographers who had driven in from Aguascalientes. Their excitement was contagious, and they even shared some local recommendations for when we visit their city.
After a quick introduction and rundown of the route, we set off. Our path took us through the historic centro, where every turn revealed new layers of color, texture, and life. Eventually, we made our way to Mercado de la Cruz, diving into the organized chaos of a market waking up for the day—vendors calling out, customers bargaining, early sunlight bouncing off piles of fruit and textiles. It was the kind of environment street photographers dream of.
All throughout the walk, Mariana shared thoughtful insights about her process: how she approaches subjects respectfully, what themes she pays attention to, and how she stays open to whatever moment unfolds in front of her. Her guidance helped all of us slow down, observe more intentionally, and photograph with a deeper sense of presence.
From the market, we made our way to Galería Libertad, where one of the festival’s exhibitions was on display. Inside, we were greeted by curators—and even a few of the featured photographers—who guided us through the work. Hearing artists speak about their imagery, themes, and personal perspectives added so much weight and meaning to what we had just experienced out on the streets. It was the perfect ending to the walk.
Curator/Photographer and Co Founder of MSPF Citlali Medal taking us on the gallery tour.
Reflections
Walking home afterward, I felt full in the best way. I had spent the morning photographing, learning, connecting, and experiencing a side of the local photography community that I hadn’t yet tapped into. As a photographer, I’m always curious about what inspires others—their fascinations, their struggles, the moments that call to them. This photowalk gave me a front-row seat to that curiosity.
I left with new inspiration, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the everyday moments that make street photography so special. And I was proud of myself for getting out there and saying yes to something new.
In this post, I’ve included some of the photos I captured—little pieces of the walk that caught my eye—as well as images from the gallery tour to give you a sense of the experience visually.
Final Thoughts
If you’re passionate about photography in any form, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for the next Mexico Street Photo Fest. The exhibitions were rich with talent, the programming was thoughtfully curated, and the organizers clearly bring this festival to life out of pure love for the craft. Creating an event of this scale is no small feat, yet their dedication, enthusiasm, and vision are evident in every detail.
Thank you, MSPF—and thank you for reading and being here.