PRISM PHOTO WORKSHOP
Supporting the next generation of storytellers in Chicago and beyond.
The 2025 Prism Photo Workshop will be held on May 3 at Columbia College in Chicago.
Join us at:
Columbia College’s Conaway Center
1104 S. Wabash Ave., 1st Floor
Whether you’re an aspiring photojournalist or mid-career visual storyteller, our expert presenters, panelists, and portfolio reviewers will help develop your unique perspective while guiding you through best business practices and other skills vital to sustainable careers. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your toolbox, sharpen your skills and grow your professional community.
The workshop is from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with portfolio reviews closing out the day.
Breakfast and lunch are included with your ticket! Seats are free but limited, so act fast and register here:
2025 Schedule (subject to change)
9:00 – Doors open
9:30 – Portfolio Review signup beings
10:00 – Welcome and Ice Breaker
10:10 – An Ethos of Care: Bridging artistic practice with community impact - Silvia Gonzalez
10:45 – Safety in the Field - Jeje Mohamed
12:00 – Lunch
1:00 – A word from our sponsors
1:10 – Breakout: Who is your support system in your work?
1:25 – Archiving the Movement panel with Siliva Gonzalez, Lyric Newbern and Ally Almore, photographers embedded in activist communities
1:55 – Break
2:05 – The Business Toolkit: Legal, Financial, and Operational Must-Knows - an accountant, attorney Brendan Healey, and photographer-turned-editor Jaclyn Rivas
2:35 – Networking Opportunity
2:50 – How to be a Hood Hero: Reshaping Local Narratives - Kenn Cook
3:30 – Break
3:45 – 4:45 – Mentoring Sessions/Portfolio Reviews
Portfolio Reviews/mentoring sessions
Sign-ups for portfolio reviews will be first come, first served at 9:30 a.m. on May 3rd. You will be able to sign up for a particular time for one 15-minute portfolio review with one of the reviewers below (there will be 3 slots for each).
Prepare to meet and present your work to talented and experienced photographers and photo editors, including…
Colin Boyle, Director of Photography, Block Club Chicago
Brian Cassella, Staff photographer, Chicago Tribune
Gonzalo Guzman, Independent Photographer and Writer
Max Herman, Visuals Editor, Borderless
James Hosking, Artist and Art Director
Pinar Istek, Photo Editor, Chicago Tribune
Michelle Kanaar, Visuals Editor, CatchLight Local
Manuel Martinez, Director of Photography, WBEZ
Jennifer Mosbrucker, Photo Editor, The New York Times
Sidney Mori Garrett, Director of Programs, 3Arts
Jaclyn Rivas, Director of Photography, CHICAGO magazine
Fred Sasaki, Creative Director, the Poetry Foundation
Diana Solís, Independent Photographer, Multidisciplinary Artist and Educator
Michael Zajakowski, Former Director of Photography at CHICAGO magazine
Tickets are free but limited, so don’t wait to get yours.
2025 Speakers & Panelists
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Kenn Cook
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER, THE CULTURE
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Silvia Inés Gonzalez
ARTIST, EDUCATOR, CULTURAL WORKER AND CURATOR
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Jeje Mohamed
CO-FOUNDER, AEGIS SAFETY ALLIANCE
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Ally Almore
FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER AND TEACHING ARTIST
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Brendan Healey
PARTNER, BARON HARRIS HEALEY
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Oriana Koren
PHOTOGRAPHER & WRITER, PRISM PHOTO WORKSHOP PROGRAM MANAGER
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Lyric Newbern
CULTURAL DOCUMENTARIAN AND COMMUNITY-CENTERED DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGIST
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Jaclyn Rivas
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY, CHICAGO MAGAZINE
What We Offer
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Prism Photo Workshop is back and better than ever. Tickets are free but limited — so get yours today!
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Keynote presentations and panels are the highlight of our annual workshop. Our speakers share practical advice and valuable insights that leave attendees informed and inspired.
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Connect with industry-leading professionals and get feedback on your work with 1-on-1 portfolio review sessions at our annual workshop. We have facilitated over 75 portfolios with commissioning editors from publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, South Side Weekly, the Chicago Sun-Times and Getty.
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We also offer grants, scholarships and mentorship. Read more here.
Sponsors
Additional Funders
Our Impact
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$13,000
in funding for Chicago-based visual storytellers
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21
paid speaking opportunities
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1,000+
workshop attendees
Donate
Your tax-deductible donation will help the Workshop offer resources to visual journalists from traditionally underrepresented communities through grants, scholarships, mentoring and our annual live workshop. Contributions at any level are welcome.