FOLIO 2026/27
Online Masterclass On Photobook Making
Led by
Vasantha
Yogananthan
feat.
Cécile
Poimbœuf-Koizumi
- Where Online
- When October 2026 to May 2027
- Language English
- Seats 13 +1 Scholarship
- Dedication 8 Months
- Scholarship Fully-funded – Apply before 30 April i
- Early Bird Fee €1,850 – Apply before 30 April
- Regular Fee €2,200 – Apply before 28 May
- How to Enroll Learn more here
Overview
Develop your dummy from concept to production
Working closely with photographer Vasantha Yogananthan, you will complete a project and have it ready for publishing.
A series of seminars led by Cécile Poimbœuf-Koizumi, co-founder and creative director of the independent publishing house Chose Commune, will provide you with tools to navigate the publishing world across design, printing, and circulation.
The integration of theory and practice, concept and technique, will lead you to a fuller understanding of the photobook language, while grounding it in your own practice. You will develop a book dummy whose structure and materiality will thoughtfully emerge from the core concepts and ideas of your work. At the end of the masterclass, you will have gained key skills to present your project in a printed form, whether you are oriented to self-publishing, or eager to engage with the existing publishing industry.
All the dummies produced during the program will be exhibited within the 2027 edition of Photobook Mania, PhMuseum’s fair dedicated to independent visual publishing in Bologna, Italy.
Head professors
Vasantha Yogananthan
A self-taught photographer, Vasantha Yogananthan was born in 1985 in Grenoble, France, to a French mother and a Sri Lankan father. For over fifteen years, he has developed a body of work grounded in duration and immersion, where photography becomes a space of transformation rather than a tool for recording. Situated between documentary and fiction, his practice explores the persistence of ancient narratives and the ways they continue to shape contemporary spaces and forms of representation.
Between 2013 and 2021, he created A Myth of Two Souls, a seven-chapter project inspired by the Ramayana, exploring the space between reality and fiction through, among other approaches, hand-painted photography. The project was exhibited internationally, including at the Musée de l'Elysée, Chanel Nexus Hall, Pier 24 Photography, and the Rijksmuseum.
Since 2020, he has been developing a new body of work in Provence, supported by the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. The first series from this research, Le Passé composé, was presented in a solo exhibition at the Rencontres d'Arles in 2024.
His work has received several international awards, including the ICP Infinity Award for Emerging Photographer (2017). His books Dandaka and Amma have also received distinctions at the Rencontres d’Arles and the Paris Photo–Aperture Foundation PhotoBook Awards. His works are held in public and institutional collections in Europe and the United States.
Cécile Poimbœuf-Koizumi
Born in 1987 in France to a Japanese mother and a French father, Cécile Poimbœuf-Koizumi grew up across several countries, with a childhood shaped by Asia that continues to inform her perspective on images, objects, and narratives. She has lived and worked in Marseille since 2020. In 2014, she co-founded Chose Commune, an independent publishing house dedicated to photography, works on paper, and ceramics, which has published over sixty award-winning books, including recipients of the Prix Nadar and Rencontres d’Arles Book Award. Her editorial work focuses on family narratives, memory, and intimate photography—themes central to her publishing vision.
Photo © Vasantha Yogananthan
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
8 Group Sessions
These collective critique sessions provide a space to share your progress and questions with both the class and the head professor, and exchange ideas. They are the foundation to build a long-lasting community within the group, as they open up relevant conversations that often continue beyond the meeting. Each participant has a scheduled time to present their work, followed by feedback and discussion.
3 One-on-One Sessions
The 30-minute individual mentoring sessions provide dedicated time for in-depth discussion with Vasantha Yogananthan, focused on refining your ideas and enhancing your methodology. Spread throughout the program, sessions are tailored to your specific needs, with the flexibility to book the time slot that best fits your schedule.
4 Seminars
Cécile Poimbœuf-Koizumi’s lectures offer theoretical and practical guidance to understand and navigate the photobook industry. While the first seminar will focus on the practice of Chose Commune, the independent publishing house co-founded by Poimbœuf-Koizumi, the three following encounters will dissect three core stages of the photobook-making process: design, printing, and distribution across circulation and economy.
10 Online Studio Visits
To grant you industry insight and foster cross-disciplinary exchange, we have invited expert practitioners to host 10 online studio visits. You will meet artists, curators, designers, editors and art directors and develop a deeper understanding of their production, methodology, and professional roles. Lectures are always followed by an open Q&A, providing space for direct conversation. Studio visits are shared across PhMuseum’s five masterclasses, bringing participants from different programs to meet each other and engage in a broader range of topics.
Past editions lecturers include: Jörg M. Colberg, Lisa Barnard, Natasha Christia, Niccolò Fano, Vasantha Yogananthan, Hoda Afshar, Magali Avezou, Peggy Sue Amison, Sofia Borges, Taco Hidde Bakker, Chao Tayiana Maina, Jan Hoek, Laia Abril, Mathieu Asselin, Thomas Sauvin, Amak Mahmoodian, Bindi Vora, Julie Bonzon, Monica Allende, Sybren Kuiper, Geert Goiris, Lea Vene, Melissa Catanese, Celeste Baracchi, Flavia Parisi, Giuliana Benassi, Luca Santese, Tristan Lund, Vasco Forconi, Elisa Medde, Federico Clavarino, Jon Uriarte, Lars Willumeit, Sayuri Ichida, Silvia Rosi, Alain Bieber, Anne van der Zwaag, Annegien van Doorn, Barbara Hofmann-Johnson, Claudia Kussel, Ami Beckmann, Fragmentin, Francesco Zanot, Jean-Vincent Simonet, Paolo Cirio, Tanvi Mishra, Jackson Whitefield, Brian Paul Lamotte, Max Houghton, Olivia Gideon-Thomson, Renée Mussai, Simon Gush, and Thomas Struth.
Alumni
“FOLIO helped me see the book not just as a way to present the work, but as an essential part of the work itself. My approach and philosophy about the photobook changed as it really opened my eyes to how the book form can add depth and new layers to the photographic work.”
“The Masterclass was significant not just for helping me shape my project into a book, but for allowing me to see myself as an artist at all. Through exposure to diverse approaches, I started to understand the book as a space for experimentation and personal language.”
“FOLIO contributed greatly to the finalization of my dummy, and the program itself was a crash course on design. It helped me detach from details of each image, and instead reoriented me to view the whole picture, which is the book as an expressive object.”
“The biggest benefit for me is to get trusted opinions on my work in progress. Presenting draft concepts does put one in a position of vulnerability as an artist, but the space offered by FOLIO feels safe, and my book is definitely stronger as a result.”
Why Apply
Have your work ready for publishing
Enrolling means joining a hands-on program, whose outcome – having a ready-to-print dummy – can actively impact on the development of your career. The publishing world is a technical environment, which can sometimes be perceived as hard to fully grasp and access. This masterclass provides you with the tools to dismantle preconceived notions, and navigate all variables leading to a well-edited, designed, and realised photobook.
Develop a solid methodology
Taking part in FOLIO is an investment in the interrogation of your own practice. Over eight months, your work will undergo various cycles. Presenting to the class throughout them will push you to ask new questions and challenge your ideas – a continuous exchange bringing new strength to your critical thinking. Staying consistent during this process will help you navigate phases of uncertainty, structuring a methodology that works for you. This is something you will carry into future bodies of work, and keep developing as your practice grows.
Join a growing community
Peer support is a key aspect of artistic development, particularly when working on a new project. Yet, finding a solid network outside of traditional education paths can be difficult, especially if living in locations that aren’t central to the art system. Our masterclasses are meant to fill this gap, and provide connection. Every year, participants build relationships that last after the masterclass ends. Thanks to the international nature of the program – which has so far welcomed practitioners from all continents – these bonds are also enriched by diverse cultural and aesthetic perspectives.
Participants further keep in touch with the PhMuseum team, accessing our professional network and dissemination opportunities. Events such as the International Photography Festival PhMuseum Days and publishing fair Photobook Mania, held annually in Bologna, Italy, are opportunities to meet and consolidate connections in real life.
Enjoy a flexible remote program
Designed to accommodate a worldwide audience, the program is built on flexibility. Sessions are generally held from 3pm to 6:30pm CET (Rome), which makes them accessible across time zones from different continents. With all meetings recorded and a user-friendly booking system for individual slots, the program is suited for those balancing their practice with professional or travel commitments. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate attesting your dedication.
Opportunities
Exhibit at Photobook Mania 2027
Upon the program's conclusion, your photobook dummy will be exhibited at Photobook Mania, our annual event dedicated to photography and printed matter in Bologna, Italy, scheduled for October 2027. Here, your work will be seen by enthusiasts, curators, and publishers alike: it is an opportunity to have it reach a wider audience, presenting it to field professionals in person.
Publish in our printed magazine
A project from all five Masterclasses will be selected for an extensive feature in the upcoming issue of PhMuseum Annual magazine, our new printed publication. Furthermore, all participants’ works will be mentioned in an archival section of the magazine. Being part of the Annual ensures your work reaches the bookshelves of collectors, curators, and photography enthusiasts worldwide, while belonging to a tangible physical record that will last in time.
HOW TO ENROLL
Now → 28 May
Apply for free
Log in to PhMuseum to submit your personal data, portfolio, and motivational letter. To be considered for a scholarship, ensure you apply by 30 April, and include a paragraph explaining how you’d benefit from it. This deadline also secures the €1,850 Early Bird rate, while applications submitted through 28 May will be charged the regular €2,200 fee.
29 May → 15 July
Wait for invitation
Our education team will review each application and start inviting participants on a rolling basis. Please be patient, and keep the status of your application monitored in the dedicated section of your personal profile.
15 June → 31 July
Secure your spot
If selected, you will be notified regarding the specific deadline to pay your deposit. Completing this payment is required to formally secure your spot in the masterclass. Remember to check your spam folder regularly to ensure you don't miss our update.
September
Get ready
Once your participation is confirmed, all that’s left is to prepare for the program. We will share the detailed schedule and further information with you.
Scholarship
Each Masterclass offers one fully-funded scholarship, meant to cover the participation costs for a deserving candidate. We prioritize applicants facing challenging financial or political circumstances.
The scholarship application deadline is 30 April. If you wish to be considered, you must include a statement explaining why you are seeking financial support and how the scholarship would impact your participation.
External funding
If you are offered a place in the class, but are not selected for the scholarship, PhMuseum is happy to provide a letter of support to assist you in securing external funding. We recommend exploring these opportunities in advance. In previous editions, participants have had their fees covered thanks to the support of the IWMF Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, Mondriaan Fonds, Arts Council Malta, and various other international programs.
Other courses you might be interested in
Past Editions
FAQ
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In past editions, did participants have the opportunity to meet each other?
OpenWe encourage all Masterclasses participants to join us in Bologna for PhMuseum Days, our biennial international photography festival, and Photobook Mania, an annual gathering dedicated to visual publishing. Over the years, we have also met at other events such as Les Rencontres d'Arles, Fotografia Europea, Paris Photo, and Lodz Fotofestiwal.
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Are the masterclasses more of a beginner or advanced course?
OpenWhile a professional level of expertise isn't strictly required, you should have a foundational understanding of photography and a sincere passion for developing your work. We generally filter applications to create heterogeneous and motivated groups of talented participants.
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What are the times and days the classes would take place?
OpenYou generally have between 3 and 5 meetings per month. Classes happen on weekdays. Group sessions and seminars generally last 3 to 4 hours. Individual mentoring is 30 minutes per person. Studio visits last 1.5 hours. Most meetings start around 3pm and end before 7pm CET, to allow students attending globally (Americas, Europe and Africa, Asia and Oceania). Individual tutoring sessions are flexible, allowing you to book the slot fitting your needs the most.
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Can the online portfolio be just the personal website, or does it need to be a regular portfolio of my work?
OpenYou can provide an online portfolio link and/or a private link from Google Drive or Dropbox. As an addition to that, including your Instagram handle is also possible. We do not accept temporary WeTransfer links, as well as email applications.
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Is it possible to join some of the Studio Visits offline?
OpenEach Masterclass session is conducted online, including Studio Visits with invited artists, curators, graphic designers, and other professionals. In-person attendance for Studio Visits is not possible. Participants and guests are located in various countries and continents, and the fully online program allows everyone to attend each session regardless of their location.
Contact us
Reach out at edu@phmuseum.com