Weekend Workshop
September 25-27, 2026
Public Lecture: September 25
Workshop: September 26-27 (Limited to 14 participants; registration closes when filled)

Please join Aurora PhotoCenter 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.

At the start of Day One of the workshop, Swanson will expand on options for bringing your photographic projects to the book form that were presented in Friday night’s required lecture. She will provide deeper details on publishers and paths to research that are best for you and your work. Photobook publishing grants and book dummy award competitions will be discussed, along with important factors to consider when choosing to self-publish your book. Swanson will conclude the lecture component of Day One with a discussion on the art and commerce of publishing your book. Swanson will provide fundraising and sponsorship options to consider ahead of making production decisions, and review terms likely to be in a formal publishing contract. She will share the pros/cons of marketing your book at its release and beyond, stressing the importance of a strong web and social media presence, as well as the value of public presentations and print exhibitions to extend the life of your book.

We will then turn to physical books gathered in our classroom. Swanson will share examples of innovative books from her personal library of books that were traditionally published, produced by small presses, and self-published. Together we will discuss this wide range of books, which will include zines, newsprint, hand-made artists’ books and self-published books produced in collaboration with production studios. Swanson will highlight examples that demonstrate wise sequencing and employ production materials and binding structures that amplify the project content.

Mary Virginia Swanson is an author, educator, and advisor who has spent her career helping lens-based artists find the strengths in their work, identify audiences, and present their work in a timely, professional manner.

Swanson is the co-author with Darius D. Himes of Publish Your Photography Book. First released in 2011 and now in its updated 3rd edition, (Radius Books, 2023, Korean language 2024 from Datz Press) this acclaimed resource has helped countless photographers bring their projects to publication. The dedicated website for the book offers extensive free & downloadable resources to help photographers on their publishing or self-publishing journey, including a 32-page workbook: www.publishyourphotographybook.com.

Swanson is an active member of the contemporary photobook community, having recently engaged with bookmaking and publishing communities in India, Korea, and Japan. She frequently serves as a portfolio reviewer and Juror for contemporary photography and photobook competitions and teaches workshops to help artists prepare for publication of their projects.