Course Introduction
This course is designed for those who want to understand how documentary photography works in practice. Participants will explore how to find meaningful stories, shape them into coherent visual narratives, and translate them into a photobook. Along the way, the course also covers professional opportunities, helping photographers navigate grants, exhibitions, and open calls.
About the Speaker
Ekaterina Frolova is an award-winning documentary photographer with a background in journalism and cultural studies.
Her work has been recognized in numerous international photography competitions, including Life Framer, the International Photography Awards (IPA), Urban Photo Awards, Budapest International Photo Awards, Felix Schoeller Photo Award, Tokyo International Photo Awards, and LensCulture, and has been exhibited internationally across Italy, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus.
Ekaterina has collaborated with Fundació Vila Casas in Barcelona on an anthropological photography project during her studies at ELISAVA, and with the doART cultural association, where she completed a year-long fellowship focused on publishing a photobook about the border between Gorizia (Italy) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia), two towns jointly named the European Capital of Culture 2025.
Course Schedule
January 20, 19:00 MSK
January 27, 19:00 MSK
February 3, 19:00 MSK
February 10, 19:00 MSK
Session 1 · Visual Storytelling: Introduction to Documentary Approach
Session 1 introduces participants to documentary photography, visual storytelling principles, and real-world case studies. You will explore different documentary approaches and examine powerful photo stories that shaped public perception or influenced communities. Together as a group, you will analyze visual narratives and identify what makes a strong visual story.
Key elements:
Intro: What Is Documentary Photography?
Case Study: How Documentary Photography Creates Social Impact
Case Study: Why and How Brands Use Documentary Storytelling
Hands-on Practice: Photostory Analysis
Ingredients of a Strong Visual Story
© Alec Soth | Charles Vasa, Minnesota, 2002
Session 2 · Building Your Visual Story: From Topic to Narrative
Session 2 focuses on turning an idea into a structured visual story. You will learn how to choose a strong topic, define your unique angle, and build narrative elements that connect images and text. We will explore where documentary stories come from, how personal perspective shapes them, and how captions and structure influence the way a story is read and understood.
Key elements:
Choosing a Topic: relevance, depth, access, and personal connection
Finding Your Angle: why this story, and why you
Text and Visuals: how captions shape meaning
Structuring Your Story
Essential Elements of a Visual Narrative
© Anastasia Tsayder | Arcadia
Session 3 · Photobooks & Printed Narratives
Session 3 introduces photobooks as a powerful storytelling medium and explores how documentary stories evolve when translated into print. Through a guided look at photobooks with different narrative approaches, you will learn about sequencing, pacing, and visual rhythm. The session also covers practical tools and platforms for creating your own photobook independently.
Key elements:
What Is a Photobook?
Photobook Showcase: different narrative approaches
Techniques & Narrative Devices in Print
Platforms for Creating Photobooks on Your Own
Session 4 · Grants, Exhibitions & Professional Opportunities for Visual Artists
Session 4 focuses on the professional landscape of documentary and visual storytelling. You will learn how to navigate grants, festivals, exhibitions, and open calls, as well as how to present your work through a clear artist bio, statement, and portfolio. The session includes practical application tips to help you better position your work in the contemporary photography field.
Key elements:
Grants, Festivals, and Open Calls
Artist Bio & Artist Statement
Application Strategies & Practical Tips
© Ekaterina Frolova | Gorizia, Italy. 2025