Mentoring, Future Workshops, Lectures & Past Workshops
History & Overview
As a lens-based artist, mentor and educator, Susan kae Grant has a long history of educational mentoring and presenting workshops & guest lectures at institutions throughout the United States, UK, Japan and China on her creative practice, book arts, photography and pedagogy.
Grant served as Head of Photography & Book Arts at Texas Woman’s University from 1981-2017, and named Cornaro Professor of Visual Art - Emerita in 2018.
Throughout her academic career she held a number of visiting faculty positions and received numerous teaching awards including the Society of Photographic Education’s Honored Educator Awards, 2014 (National) & 2007 (Regional); Santa Fe Center for Photo Excellence in PhotoTeaching, 2004; and the Freestyle Crystal Apple Award (SPE 2003 & 2005).
Grant currently teaches workshops for the International Center for Photography (ICP); La-Luz Workshops; Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP); Maine Media Workshops; and Santa Fe Workshops.
Each spring since 1993, she presents her 4-day workshop, The Art of Photographic Bookmaking, at the International Center of Photography (NYC) exclusively to the students in the Creative Practices One-Year Certificate Program.
Mentoring
Anna - Santa Fe 2023
Mentoring Information:
Susan kae Grant inspires and empowers photographers and book artists through one-on-one and small group mentoring both in person and virtually. Sessions are shaped around specific needs of each artist and project.
Grant’s unique style of mentoring focuses on the development and implementation of time-based project plans for bringing photography and book ideas into fruition from initial concept through production.
Mentoring sessions include discussion of photographic work, guided writing prompts that explore the relationship between form and content, material and sequence, as well as feedback on photobook mock-ups, book design strategies, fabrication approaches, and methods for presenting work to collections and publishers.
For scheduling:
Contact Susan kae Grant
Grant also serves as a mentor in the La Luz Workshops Mentorship Program, where artists receive individualized guidance and critical feedback through a series of six one-hour sessions.
If you are interested in working with Susan kae Grant through La Luz or have any questions about La Luz Mentorship Program, please reach out to: mentorships@laluzworkshops.com
Future Workshops
Click titles for info
2027 Workshops
January 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2027
Four-day Online workshop - La Luz Workshops
Inspired Design: Fabricating The Handmade
Photographic Artists’ Book 2027
Information coming soon!
2026 Workshops
April 25, 26 & May 2, 3, 2026 - NYC
International Center for Photography (ICP)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
EXCLUSIVE to ICP Creative Practices Students
4-day hands-on workshop
Course Description:
The art of bookmaking can expand the way photographs are viewed and interpreted. This workshop surveys the methods of photographic bookmaking as well as the theoretical concerns that arise from interpreting images in sequence and in various presentations. Demonstrations and discussions address design, content, structure, imaging techniques, materials, and sources needed for production.
Students examine work by contemporary artists who draw inspiration from traditional book forms, but transcend or deviate from such structures. Through hands-on experience, students learn to create a bookwork that balances form with content in symbolic and provocative ways.
September 28 - October 2, 2026 - Rockport, ME
Media Media Workshops
Books, Boxes, and Wraps
5-day hands-on workshop
Workshop Details, Information & Registration:
https://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/item/books-boxes-and-wraps/
Past Workshops, Symposium & Lectures
Click titles for info
February 26 - March 2, 2025 - Tucson, AZ
Photographic Works
Handmade Artist’s Book:
From Concept to Bound Mock-up
For intermediate and advanced bookmakers
5-day hands-on workshop
SOLD OUT
April 26, 27 & May 3, 4 , 2025 - NYC
International Center for Photography (ICP)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
EXCLUSIVE to ICP Creative Practices Students
4-day hands-on workshop
May 10, 17, 31 & June 7, 2025
La Luz Workshops Online Symposium
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
4-day On- Line Symposium
About the Symposium:
"The Art of Photographic Bookmaking”
In this four-day online symposium, led by Susan kae Grant with Mary Virginia Swanson, joined by eight special guests we explore the many options available to artists when considering the book form, including small press, fine art press, self-published, and handmade artists’ books.
DATES:
Saturdays - May 10, May 17, May 31 & June 7
Time & Location:
11 AM – 6:00 PM (EST) Online
Symposium Details, Information & Registration:
https://www.laluzworkshops.com/workshop/the-art-of-photographic-bookmaking-inspiration-creation-acquisition
Missed the Symposium? It’s not too late – sign up anytime.
Unlimited Access to Recordings:
The complete recordings to all 4-day classes, Q&A sessions and handouts are available 24/7 to all registrants to watch with unlimited access through September 7, 2025.
Information Session:
On December, 3 we hosted a 1-hour information session. If you were unable to attend please click here for a link to the recording.
Creating thoughtful art, embracing the unexpected, getting lost, and finding direction.
Join us for a day of ideas, images, and stories!
Ten speakers talk about their intentional journey, the downs and the ups, where ideas come from, and how to find your way. They walk the talk, they follow their hearts, they dig deep.
Info & Registration ($129.00)
https://anaturaleye.com
https://form.jotform.com/251185890591364
Be there live or stream it later - Pull up a chair and listen.
The live session will be recorded and made available for streaming on Vimeo, starting June 17, with access for three months. Zoom links will be emailed to all registrants on June 12.
September 6, 13, 20 & 27, 2025
La Luz Workshops
Inspired Design: Fabricating The Handmade
Photographic Artists’ Book
Four-day Online workshop - La Luz Workshops
Workshop Details, Information & Applications:
https://www.laluzworkshops.com/workshop/inspired-design-fabricating-the-handmade-photographic-artists-book
Exclusive to those who attended the "The Art of Photographic Bookmaking” symposium
Applications were due June 14
To sign-up for waiting list application click here
October 6 - 10, 2025 - Rockport, ME
Media Media Workshops
The Handmade Photographic Artist’s Book
5-day hands-on workshop
SOLD OUT
Workshop Details, Information & Registration:
https://www.mainemedia.edu/workshops/item/the-handmade-photographic-or-artists-book/
November 6 - 9, 2025 - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Center of Photography (LACP)
The Photo Book as Art with Susan kae Grant
3-day hands-on workshop
Workshop Information & Registration:
https://lacphoto.org/events/the-photo-book-as-art-with-susan-kae-grant/
2024 Workshops (Past)
April 27, 28 & May 4, 5, 2024 - NYC
International Center for Photography (ICP)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
Exclusive to ICP Creative Practices Students
4-day hands-on workshop
May 11, 2024: 11:00 - 1:00 (EST) Zoom
Griffin Museum of Photography
From Our Libraries: Extraordinary & Innovative Photobooks With Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan kae Grant
Zoom Presentation for Photobook Month
July 15 - 19, 2024 - Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe Workshops
The Handmade Artist’s Book:
Envisioning Form & Content
5-day hands-on workshop
September 23 - 27, 2024 - Rockport, ME
Maine Media Workshops
To Be Published, Self-Publish, and Artists’ Books
5-day lecture/site-visit workshop co-taught with
Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan kae Grant
5-day lecture/site-visit workshop
September 30 - October 4, 2024 - Rockport, ME
Media Media Workshops
The Handmade Photographic Artist’s Book:
A Synthesis of Form & Content
5-day hands-on workshop
2023 Workshops (Past)
Maine Media
To Be Published, Self-Publish, and Artists' Books: Choices for Photographic Artists Today
September 25, 2023 - September 29, 2023
This is a lecture/site-visit workshop co-taught by Susan kae Grant and Mary Virginia in Portland Maine.
Join Mary Virginia Swanson and Susan kae Grant in this dynamic lecture/site visit workshop, where photographers will explore publishing options and gain insights on book design, editing, marketing, and distribution.
Information: Click Here
The Grace Museum
Making & Marketing Art:
Strategizing & Sustaining a Career in Photography
July 15, 2023 @ 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Photo Credit: The Grace Museum
In conjunction with her solo exhibition, Shadowing Grace, join Susan kae Grant and Mary Virgina Swanson for an afternoon on professional development for artists at The Grace Museum.
Discussions will address structures for making work and presenting it in the public arena, print sales, strategies for promotion of your work through print and social media today. Session concludes with a look at promotional materials and Q & A with the presenters.
Information: Click Here
March each year
Society For Photographic Education
Strategizing a Career in Photography
From 2003-2023, following their tenure on the SPE Board of Directors, Susan kae Grant along with Mary Virginia Swanson established and co-taught the workshop Strategizing a Career in Photography to student volunteers and scholarship winners at the SPE National Conferences.
Grant and Swanson were named SPE Honored Educators in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
In 2023 they celebrated their twentieth anniversary in presenting this workshop and continue to provide advice to the next generation of photographers through workshops, consulting and mentoring.
Strategizing a Career in Photography is available to programs of higher education and community groups.
Schedule Lecture or Workshop
Contact Susan kae Grant
November 19 & December 3, 2022
On-Line
The Photobook: An Overview of Traditional Publishing, Limited Editions & Artists’ Books
Information: Click Here
Santa Fe Workshops
The Handmade Artist’s Book:
Envisioning Form & Content
July 31 - August 4, 2023.
5-day hands-on workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Join lens-based artist Susan kae Grant in the ambiance of Santa Fe to tap into your memory, personal insight and intuition to design and create a handmade book of your photographs that symbolically balances form and content.
Information: Click Here.
The International Center of Photography (NYC)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
(Exclusive to ICP Students Only)
April 28 - 29 & May 6 - 7, 2023
Course Description:
The art of bookmaking can expand the way photographs are viewed and interpreted. This workshop surveys the methods of photographic bookmaking as well as the theoretical concerns that arise from interpreting images in sequence and in various presentations. Demonstrations and discussions address design, content, structure, imaging techniques, materials, and sources needed for production.
Students examine work by contemporary artists who draw inspiration from traditional book forms, but transcend or deviate from such structures. Through hands-on experience, students learn to create a bookwork that balances form with content in symbolic and provocative ways.
2022 Workshops (Past)
Los Angeles Center of Photography
The Photo Book As Art With Susan kae Grant
April 2, 3 & 9, 10, 2022 (Online Learning)
Description Summary:
Blending traditional and contemporary practice, this virtual masterclass introduces participants to the art of handmade photographic artists’ books that are as diverse in style and direction as they are in technique. Through brainstorming techniques and guided writing exercises, we concentrate on memory, experience and imagination to inspire the content, design and execution of personal photo book-works.
Each class day includes lectures, hands-on demonstrations, writing exercises, guided studio time and a one-hour lunch break. Topics focus on the technical execution of three binding styles and an array of techniques to physically incorporate images and text into photobooks. Examples of original works are used to illustrate strategies for design, sequence and materials.
More Information: Contact LACP
Bookmaking Tools & Samples
The International Center of Photography (NYC)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
(Exclusive to ICP Students Only)
May 14, 15, & 21, 22, 2022
Course Description:
The art of bookmaking can expand the way photographs are viewed and interpreted. This workshop surveys the methods of photographic bookmaking as well as the theoretical concerns that arise from interpreting images in sequence and in various presentations. Demonstrations and discussions address design, content, structure, imaging techniques, materials, and sources needed for production.
Students examine work by contemporary artists who draw inspiration from traditional book forms, but transcend or deviate from such structures. Through hands-on experience, students learn to create a bookwork that balances form with content in a symbolic and provocative way.
2021 Workshops (Past)
Wild Rice Retreat, Bayfield, Wisconsin
Mapping the Unconscious: Zen and the Art of Bookmaking
August 8-12, 2021
Description Summary:
Knowing the techniques and skills to make a book of your own is one thing—tapping into your creativity and subconscious to create a book is yet another. In this workshop, we concentrate on memory, experience and imagination to inspire the content, design and execution of personal handmade photo book-works.
Participants learn through lectures and discussions to develop methodologies for collecting and recording dreams and memories. Classes include guided meditations and written exercises designed to elicit creative insights to strengthen and combine writings and images for their books.
Wild Rice Retreat: Sally & Christina
The International Center of Photography (NYC)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
(Exclusive to ICP Students Only)
May 8, 19, & 15, 16, 2021 (on-line)
Course Description:
The art of bookmaking can expand the way photographs are viewed and interpreted. This workshop surveys the methods of photographic bookmaking as well as the theoretical concerns that arise from interpreting images in sequence and in various presentations. Demonstrations and discussions address design, content, structure, imaging techniques, materials, and sources needed for production. Students examine work by contemporary artists who draw inspiration from traditional book forms, but transcend or deviate from such structures. Through hands-on experience, students learn to create a bookwork that balances form with content in a symbolic and provocative way.
ICP: Zoom Bookmaking Workshop 2021
2020 Workshops (Past)
ICP: Zoom Bookmaking Workshop 2020
The International Center of Photography
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
(Exclusive to ICP Students Only)
May 9, 10, & 16, 17, 2020 (on-line)Santa Fe Photographic Workshops
Myth, Metaphor & Memory: The Constructed Image
Santa Fe, New Mexico
July 26-31, 2020 (Postponed due to COVID)20/20 Photo Festival Philadelphia
The Photo Book as Art
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 26 & 27, 2020 (Postponed due to COVID)
2019 Workshops (Past)
LACP Workshop 2019: Photo by Patty Lemke
International Center of Photography (NYC)
The Art of Photographic Bookmaking
(Exclusive to ICP Students Only)
New York City, New York
May 11, 12, & 18, 19, 2019
Los Angeles Center of Photography
The Photo Book as Art With Susan kae Grant
Los Angeles, California
November 1-3, 2019
Previous Workshop Venues
Anchorage Museum of Art
Anderson Ranch Arts Center
Arizona State University
Athenaeum Music & Arts Library
Center for Creative Studies
Center for Book & Paper Arts
Houston Center for Photography
International Center For Photography
La Luz Workshops
Los Angeles Center of Photography
The Art Institute of San Antonio
The Light Factory
Maine Media Workshops
Museum of Photographic Arts
Oklahoma Arts Institute
Ringling College of Art & Design
Ryerson University
Santa Fe Workshops
Southwest School of Art
University of Colorado Denver
University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne
University of New Mexico-Albuquerque
Bookbinding Tools & Sample Structures
Selected Teaching Awards
Cornaro Professor, 2016
(Texas Woman’s University)Honored Educator, 2014
(National Society for Photographic Education)Mentor of the Year Finalist, 2014
(Women of Visionary Influence)Honored Educator, 2007
(South Central Regional SPE)TWU Redbud Award, 2007 (Advisor to P.A.C. Organization)
Freestyle Crystal Apple Award
(SPE 2003 & 2005)Who’s Who in Fine Arts Higher Ed, 2005
(Academic Keys)Excellence in PhotoTeaching, 2004
(Santa Fe Center for Photo)Mary Mason Lyon Faculty Award, 1986
(Texas Woman’s University)
Ringling College of Art & Design, Photo by Noelle McCleaf