Private Mentoring: How We Work Together
Private Mentoring: How We Work Together
Private Mentoring: How We Work Together
Group Learning
After decades of presenting lectures at industry events and teaching immersive in-person workshops, Mary Virginia has adapted her educational offerings to occur primarily in the online environment.
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She is deep in research, updating her content to reflect the changes in our industry.
FALL 2025
IN PERSON: Masterclass with Mary Virginia Swanson at Photographic Center Northwest
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“On Bringing Your Photography Project to Publication”
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Please join PCNW for a very special masterclass with renowned author and advisor, Mary Virginia Swanson, as she provides an overview of the landscape for publishing photobooks today. Throughout this weekend workshop, she will explain options for artists, review participants' projects, and guide them to publishing scenarios that may be a good fit for their work.
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Participants should have a body of work that is nearing completion (or completed) that they are considering bringing to publication in print form.
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DATES: November 14 - 16, 2025
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November 14 | Friday Lecture at 6pm
November 15 - 16 | Saturday - Sunday 10am-5:30pm
To learn more and register, visit: https://shop.pcnw.org/products/masterclass-with-mary-virginia-swanson?mc_cid=dfad68e350&mc_eid=da07405c37
STREAMING through September 7, 2025: A four-day online Symposium led by Susan kae Grant with Mary Virginia Swanson and Special Guests for La Luz Workshops
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“The Art of Photographic Bookmaking: Inspiration, Creation, and Acquisition”
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This Symposium will explore the many options available to artists when considering the book form, including small press, fine art press, self-published, and handmade artists' books.
Together with our amazing roster of Special Guests we will examine topics that include the structure of the visual book; integrative book designs; methodologies for incorporating images and texts; examples of photobook mock-ups (maquettes) and alternative book forms; options for fabrication and collaborative studio production; and best practices for creating powerful marketing materials for promoting books to collectors and collections.
Participants will be inspired and empowered to envision their own photobook, from concept to design to production, while gaining a deep understanding of the critical relationship between form and content.
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DATES: Saturdays, May 10 - June 7, 2025 (no class on May 24)
11 am to 6 pm (US EDT)
All sessions will be recorded and available to participants through September 7, 2025; registration remains open to all until conclusion.​
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For more information, please visit: https://www.laluzworkshops.com/the-art-of-photographic-bookmaking
Susan kae Grant & Mary Virginia Swanson | © Allison V. Smith
2025 Previous Events:
IN-PERSON: Mary Virginia Swanson teaching a workshop at Anderson Ranch Arts Center
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“Publishing Your Photography Book: The Why, When, and How”
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Mary Virginia Swanson will be teaching a rare, in-person workshop on bringing your long-term project to publication in the book form at Anderson Ranch Arts Center the week of June 30, 2025.
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DATES: June 30 - July 4, 2025
Registration opens January 6, 2025! For details and to register visit: https://www.andersonranch.org/workshops/workshop/publishing-your-photography-book-the-why-when-and-how-p0515-25/
The scholarship application deadline for Anderson Ranch is February 28, 2025. Apply here: https://www.andersonranch.org/workshops/scholarships/
Mary Virginia Swanson with Students | © Steven G. Smith
ONLINE: Mary Virginia Swanson presenting a Webinar for the
Los Angeles Center for Photography
"To Be Published, or Self Publish? Options & Considerations for Artists Today"
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In this informative and richly illustrated presentation, Mary Virginia Swanson will demystify the process of making a photo book from the perspectives of traditional trade, small press, and self-publishing paths, helping participants determine the pros/cons of each. (Discounted registration fee for Members).
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DATE: March 22, 2025
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For more information visit: https://lacphoto.org/events/to-be-published-or-self-publish-with-mary-virginia-swanson-webinar/