Half Day Photographic Book-Making Workshop for All Levels

A Warm Welcome to the Portsea Gallery

Arrive a few minutes early, settle into the beautiful surrounds of Portsea Gallery and meet your fellow book-makers. Gallery owner Allison Ermogenis will be there to welcome you before Fiona begins the workshop. This will be a relaxed, friendly and supportive environment where ideas can be shared, and questions are encouraged.

Start with Your Idea — and Know Your Why

Fiona will begin by sharing a little of her own book-making journey and the stories behind her photographic books, including Immerse and The Next Wave. Then it’s over to you. What is the book you’d love to create? Why does it matter to you? Who is it for? Through a guided reflection, you’ll begin defining the purpose and audience for your book — two questions that will help shape almost every decision that follows.

Map Out the Book-Making Process

This is where we get into the practical nuts and bolts. Using a real photographic book project as an example, Fiona will break down the book-making process from beginning to end and show you how to work backwards from the date you’d like to hold your finished book in your hands. You’ll explore timelines, budgets, book formats, printing options and the different stages involved, helping turn what can initially feel overwhelming into a series of manageable steps.

Bubbles and Light Lunch

Time to pause and enjoy a delicious light lunch and bubbles in the gallery. It’s also a lovely opportunity to chat with Fiona and your fellow participants, compare ideas, ask questions and share inspiration before diving into the second half of the workshop.

Work Through Your Own Book Ideas

You’ll receive your own workshop workbook, prepared by Fiona, with space to capture ideas, questions, reflections and practical notes as the workshop progresses. Rather than simply listening, you’ll have opportunities to stop, think and apply what you’re learning to your own book idea. And the workbook is yours to take home and continue working in afterwards.

Shape the Story and Look of Your Book

Fiona will take you through ways of sorting, selecting and sequencing your digital photographs so they serve the story rather than simply becoming a collection of favourite images. You’ll also explore the role of text, storytelling, rhythm, pacing and visual flow. You’ll look through a range of finished photographic books and page spreads for inspiration, considering elements such as typography, image placement, white space, sequencing, covers, paper and format.

You Don't Need to Do It Alone

Creating a professional photographic book is often a collaborative process. You’ll learn about the people who may become part of your book-making team — including graphic designers, editors, proofreaders, photo curators and printers — and how good collaboration can help turn your idea into a professional finished book.

Leave with a Plan and Practical Next Steps

We’ll bring everything together by looking at the final stages of the process, including proofing, printing, binding, pricing and distribution. You’ll leave with your workshop workbook, notes and reflections, Fiona’s Key Takeaways guide and, most importantly, a clearer understanding of what happens next — feeling inspired, informed and equipped with a practical pathway for turning your idea into a finished photographic book.