Upcoming Workshops & Events
The Griffin Museum of Photography:
Let’s Talk Photobooks
Virtual talk with Melanie McWhorter and Caleb Cain Marcus
Online, March 6 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm ET
Book designer Caleb Cain Marcus and photobook consultant Melanie McWhorter have partnered for a pre-workshop discussion to give a brief overview of their experience in the field of photobook publishing. Both speakers will present 1-2 case studies of past project and through these projects provided some brief insight into the varied ways to produce a photobook and the often highly collaborative process from design to financing, and production to marketing a photobook, and more. This will be a rich discussion packed with information on photobook publishing in lively 1.5 hour session. After the presentations, Caleb and Melanie will be open to a moderated Q&A session and offer an opportunity for the participants questions.
The Griffin Museum of Photography:
From Lens to Page: Navigating Photobook Publishing
Workshop with Caleb Cain Marcus and Melanie McWhorter
Online, May 13 @ 6:30 pm – May 29 @ 6:30 pm ET
Monday, May 13 (co-teach, class intro)
Wednesday, May 15 (Caleb teach)
Monday, May 20 (co-teach – Melanie/Caleb assignment review)
Wednesday, May 22 (Melanie teach)
Wednesday, May 29 (co-teach, Caleb/Melanie assignment review, class final presentation)
Time: 6:30-8:30pm, ET /4:30 to 6:30pm, MT/ 3:30-5:30pm, PT
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This five-day workshop is for advanced amateurs and experienced photographers who seek to publish a larger print run publication. The course will be part lecture/discussion and online participatory workshop primarily for those who want to work with a publisher or self-publish a title for a wider audience. Each student is highly encouraged to participate and provide feedback, commentary, and suggestions for fellow student’s projects.
Publishing a photobook is a multi-step process that is in constant flux as technologies, the role of publishers, and the definition of an exceptional photobook change.
The workshop will provide information on:
-The contemporary photobook publishing culture
-Comparing differences between self, indie and large publishers
-Pitching your work including materials for approaching and working with publishers
-Examining alternatives for the book format
-Viewing some great examples of contemporary photobooks and limited editions
-Creating on your photobook publishing team
-Budgeting and exploring financial considerations for book publishing
-Cleverly editing and sequencing images and words to tell your story in book form
-Designing to increase the impact and success of a photobook
Students will be asked to present 30-50 images that they want to be in the book along with an introductory statement and bio. Students must be able to share these images over Zoom. We will revisit the images again by the end of the class to apply knowledge gained and receive more feedback from Caleb, Melanie, and your fellow classmates. Participants will have outside assignments related to their personal project or photobook publishing including applying suggestions about your work along with readings and videos on the topics explored in class.
By the end of the class, students should have a great understanding of the photobook process, a working knowledge the contemporary photobook publishing world, and be able make solid decisions about how to proceed with their own work.
Dates:
Monday, May 13 (co-teach, class intro)
Wednesday, May 15 (Caleb teach)
Monday, May 20 (co-teach – Melanie/Caleb assignment review)
Wednesday, May 22 (Melanie teach)
Wednesday, May 29 (co-teach, Caleb/Melanie assignment review, class final presentation)
Time: 6:30-8:30pm, ET /4:30 to 6:30pm, MT/ 3:30-5:30pm, PT
Price: Member Price – $695 / Non-Member Price – $750.00 (Non-Member price includes a one year membership to the Griffin Museum).
Contact Melanie McWhorter at melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com or 505-699-3496 for questions.
Melanie is available for limited group or one-on-one workshops. Please inquire at melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com for availability and rates.
Past Workshops
Email Melanie at melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com
to find out about upcoming workshops in 2023-2024.
Winter Workshop with Melanie McWhorter
& Design Day with Caleb Cain Marcus
This four-day intensive includes an overview of photobook publishing with Melanie McWhorter and featuring a day with designer Caleb Cain Marcus and hour with publicist Myrtille Beauvert
$895 per participant, Limit 6 students
NEW ADDITION TO THE WORKSHOP
In addition to Caleb, Myrtille Beauvert will be speaking for an hour on the last day.
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 10am-1pm MT
Saturday, March 4, 10am-1pm MT
Tuesday, March 7, 10am-1pm MT
Saturday, March 11, 10am-1pm MT
• Limit 6 students (more time with each student's project)
• One day of design specific exploration of each student's work
• Includes a one-on-one session with Melanie McWhorter after class
• An hour with a publicist including Q&A session
• Student-selected speaker based feedback on student survey before class**
This four-day workshop is for advanced amateurs and experienced photographers who seek to publish a larger print run publication. The course will be part lecture/discussion and online participatory workshop primarily for those who want to work with a publisher or self-publish a title for a wider audience. Each student is highly encouraged to participate and provide feedback, commentary, and suggestions for fellow student’s projects.
The Simplicity and Complexity of Publishing a Photography Book: Should I Publish My Book (now)? with Melanie McWhorter (Webinar)
October 15, 2022, 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Register here
The decision to publish a photography book and the book itself can be as complex or as simple as the artist may make it. The search for the ideal object for your photography should prompt a personal discussion that ranges from pragmatic to the philosophical – the process can be exciting and/or daunting and the earlier considerations should bring up many questions to ponder before setting out on the journey. Photobooks are indeed seductive, desirable objects beckoning each artist like a siren’s song. Yet, many artists need to consider the practical and realistic aspects of the book before and during the book project.
In this webinar, designed for those who are working on a book-worthy project, have a completed portfolio to publish, or are in the earlier stages of working on a book now (whether self-publishing or working with a publisher), Melanie McWhorter shares questions to ask yourself before publishing your book.
Melanie McWhorter (melaniemcwhorter.com) has gained a reputation as a knowledgeable photography professional; has been interviewed about photography in numerous print and online publications including Lenscratch and NPR; curated exhibitions including Trust the Story at Baldwin Photographic Gallery; has reviewed portfolios at New England Portfolio Reviews, Photolucida, Review Santa Fe and PhotoNOLA; and taught and lectured at numerous venues including Santa Fe Workshops, PhotoNOLA, Maine Media, and University of North Texas. After moving to New Mexico in 1997, she managed the internationally recognized photo-eye Bookstore + Project Space until 2016. She consults at melaniemcwhorter.com.
SFW Online — Publishing the Photographic Book, September 13-30, 2022
What makes the photobook so alluring for artists? Photobooks are an art piece, a marketing tool, and simply a pleasure to possess—or all of these simultaneously. The ability to publish a book is easier with the diverse methods of production, and the seemingly never-ending choices for designing and creating books from editions as small as one to thousands.
Melanie McWhorter is well-aware of the many changes in the industry in the last two decades and how artists self-publish, work with publishers, find funding, and, ultimately, make a book object that, if successful, conforms to the artist's needs and the demand of the market. Some of the topics covered in this online workshop are: the nature and possibilities of the photobook and its almost unlimited design and production options; editing and sequencing a project, how to present this selection in a book format, and what that may say to an audience; where to find some online book-related resources; and some real-life models for successful production, promotion, and fundraising.
We look at examples of artist's books, self-published titles, and works by contemporary publishers and discuss which avenue may be right for you. Each student has time to present and discuss their work in a communal format with feedback and input from your peers and the instructor.
Two guest speakers who are immersed in the world of contemporary publishing from Santa Fe and around the world join our online class gatherings to share their insights and perspectives.
Spend valuable time engaged with Melanie and a group of passionate photographers gaining knowledge about photobook objects and the great potential that this format has for your work.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Amateurs, Advanced Amateurs, Professionals
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Amateurs, Advanced Amateurs, Professionals
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Working knowledge of digital workflow on your computer. Participants must be able to select images using image editing software for class sessions.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Class will meet 10:00 am -12:00 pm (Mountain Time) on Tuesdays and Fridays starting September 13 and ending September 30 (six online group sessions). Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.
Zoom Video Conferencing software (available for no charge from Zoom.com) will be used to facilitate the class sessions. Further details will be emailed to registrants.
Santa Fe Workshops always aims to produce a high-quality experience for our online attendees. That said, variables including regional and local internet provider speeds, traffic on Zoom's servers, and your own computing hardware can contribute to a less than ideal streaming event. While we do our best to minimize the impact of these variables, they are outside the control of Santa Fe Workshops.
POLICIES:
View Withdrawal and Transfer Policies for online programs.
For the convenience of participants, recordings of each class session are posted privately for two weeks after the end of each session. Santa Fe Workshops takes the recordings down after two weeks to protect the intellectual property of our instructors.
August Workshop with Melanie McWhorter
NO MORE SPOTS REMAINING
A four-day intensive with an additional one-on-one consulting session
email melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com for waitlist or info on the next intensive workshop
Santa Fe Workshops Publishing the Photographic Book in September is still open,
find info on the Santa Fe Workshop’s site
Monday August 8, 4-6pm MT (6-8 ET, 3-5 PT)
Tuesday, August 9, 4-6:pm MT (6-8 ET, 3-5 PT)
Monday, August 15th, 4-6pm MT (6-8 ET, 3-5 PT)
Tuesday, August 16, 4-6pm MT (6-8 ET, 3-5 PT)
One-on-one sessions scheduled soon after the conclusion of class
$595 per participant, Limit 6 students
For more info, email melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com.
This four-day workshop is for advanced amateurs and experienced photographers who seek to publish a larger print run publication. The course will be part lecture/discussion and online participatory workshop primarily for those who want to work with a publisher or self-publish a title for a wider audience.
The first class will start with participant introductions and review of a completed or nearly completed project ready for book form. Students will be asked to present 20 images that they want to be in the book along with an introductory statement and bio. Students must be able to share these images over Zoom. The first and third class will be dedicated to student work, so be ready to present and offer comments to your peers. Depending on time, we may launch into some of the materials for the second class.
In the second class, Melanie will introduce the materials for approaching publishers, and we will also examine other alternatives for the book format. Melanie will give an overview of the contemporary photobook publishing culture; and show some great examples of artist books, limited editions, small publisher editions, and a few more mass-market titles; and look at what contemporary publishers and self-publishers are producing. We will look at the financial considerations for book publishing, preparing proposals, and marketing materials; examine ways to tell your story in images; and explore how to use cleverly edited and sequenced images and words to tell your story in book form. We may watch one or two short videos on the topic.
For the third class, we will look at final edits of students’ projects and review examples of artist statements/project descriptions. By the end of the class, students should have a solid edit of their work – possibly a digital or physical mock-up depending on the expertise of the student – and marketing materials for a publisher submission or self-publishing promotion. They will also have established a working knowledge the contemporary photobook publishing world.
For the fourth class, students will have the opportunity to answer questions and we will review how to proceed once the photographer is selected and choses to work with a given publisher, and the considerations with budget and review some contract considerations.
Books from Grenade in a Jar collection. See Melanie’s consulting book projects here.
Students will need to prepare 30-50 images for the first class and 30-70 for the third. Melanie would like to receive the final edit of up to 100 images after the second class to review before the final class. Participants should also begin work on a statement/artist proposal. Melanie will share the proposal format and budget format after the first day of class. We will have one guest lecturer and students may have outside assignments related to their personal project or photobook publishing. Detailed instructions will be provided by the faculty prior to the first class
Instructor: Melanie McWhorter
Melanie McWhorter is a Santa-Fe based consultant and bookseller. She managed the internationally recognized photo-eye Bookstore until 2016. Melanie then started her own online bookshop and consulting practice where, among other advice, she speaks with artists about bringing their photobook projects to fruition. She has gained a reputation as a knowledgeable photography professional and has been interviewed and written about photography in numerous print and online publications including Lenscratch, PDN, and NPR’s The Picture Show.
Email Melanie or sign up for my newsletter to find out about other 2022 workshops melanie@melaniemcswhorter.com or https://melaniemcwhorter.com/subscribe.
Deep Dive Into Photobook Publishing
Maine Media Workshop, March 2, 3, 10, & 11, 3pm-5pm ET
NOTE: This Class will meet in a live, online format using the Zoom Platform Class meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 3:00pm-5:00pm ET for four sessions This four-day workshop is for advanced amateurs and experienced photographers who seek to publish a larger print run publication. The course will be part lecture/discussion and online participatory workshop primarily for those who want to work with a publisher or self-publish a title for a wider audience.
The first class will start with participant introductions and review of a completed or nearly completed project ready for book form. Students will be asked to present 20 images that they want to be in the book along with an introductory statement and bio. Students must be able to share these images over Zoom. The first and third class will be dedicated to student work, so be ready to present and offer comments to your peers. Depending on time, we may launch into some of the materials for the second class.
Find out more or register for the workshop
For inquiries or questions, feel free to contact Melanie McWhorter at melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com or 505-699-3496.
SFW Online — Publishing the Photographic Book, March 19-April 1, 2021
Workshop is full. If you'd like to be added to the waiting list, send an email to info@santafeworkshops.com. Please include your full name, email address, phone number and workshop instructor/title/dates in the email.
SFW Online — Publishing the Photographic Book, November 2 - 19, 2020
Workshop is full. Email melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com to find out about future workshops.
February 11, 2020, 10:00am—12:00pm
Refining the Artistic Passion: Professional Practice workshop
with Melanie McWhorter
Baldwin Photographic Gallery at MiddleTennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
Melanie has been working with photographers for nearly two decades serving as manager for
the internationally recognized photo—eye Bookstore + Project Space; juror for numerous
photography exhibitions and competitions; portfolio reviewer at Fotografia, Photolucida,
Review Santa Fe and PhotoNOLA; and has taught and lectured at numerous venues. Melanie is
regarded as knowledgable photography professional and has been focusing on her consulting
business since 2016.
This workshop will present a brief discussion about business, organizational, and promotional
needs. Each artist is different and understanding both short and long term goals is important
for a successful career in the arts. Melanie has discovered that artists have a wealth of questions and need guidance on various aspects of their practice.
While Melanie’s experience is with photography, her advice can be applied to other artistic
practices. Topics for this workshop will include:
Defining and working through a project
Improving the artist statement
Funding through grants, personal backers, and crowdfunding
Finding a venue for your project
Seats are limited so please contact Shannon Randol at shannon.randol@mtsu.edu if you are
interested in participating.
This event is in conjunction with programming at the Baldwin Photographic Gallery at Middle
Tennessee State University. Please join us for an artist panel, moderated by Melanie
McWhorter, on Monday, February 10 at 7:00pm in the College of Education (COE) Building,
Room 160. Gallery reception to follow in the John Bragg Media and Entertainment Building.
Trust the Story is a photographic exhibit including 50 works by 31 artists and is on view from
February 6—March 12, 2020. Gallery hours are M—F 8:30am to 4:30pm when classes are in
session.
April 5 - 10, 2020
Publishing The Photographic Book with Melanie McWhorter
Santa Fe Workshops, Santa Fe, NM
Workshop is full. Email melanie@melaniemcwhorter.com to find out about future workshops.