Long-Term Photography Mentorship with Simon Chang

Long-term Photography Mentorship with Simon Chang 2025–2026 marks the 6th collaboration between Simon Chang and Galerija Fotografija, continuing a meaningful partnership that has grown steadily over the past years.

 

What's Next

1. You're invited to visit Galerija Fotografija on Wednesday, 5th November 2025, at 6 pm to meet Simon Chang and this year's workshop attendees, see the projects they have created and learn about their mentorship experience. Learn more here.
2. Come to the Free Portfolio Review with Simon Chang on Tuesday, 11th November, after 5 pm. There are only 9 spots available. Apply at spotsonscreen@hotmail.com.
3. Read more below and apply for the mentorship program before 25th November.

About the Mentorship
The Long-term Photography Mentorship with Simon Chang at Galerija Fotografija is a customized, project-based program designed for photographers who wish to develop their personal work through a sustained creative process.

Whether you are developing a long-term documentary or artistic project, preparing a photobook or zine, or shaping a portfolio, a new exhibition or a proposal, you are warmly encouraged to bring your ongoing work to the mentorship sessions. Through face-to-face discussions, Simon offers guidance, constructive feedback and conceptual support to help participants refine their projects, focusing on each artist’s background, visual language, narrative structure, and, above all, their personal voice.

The program combines three one-on-one consultations, three group sessions and three studio visits, creating a space where individual exploration and collective exchange coexist.

Structure & Program (cca. 14 hours total)
The mentorship includes:

• 3 individual consultations with Simon Chang (1 hour per session)
• 3 group meetings with all participants (2 hours per session)
• studio visits to 3 local creative spaces (1.5 hours per visit), including:
• Maruji – Marujčki Studio (Maruša Hren)
• OKVIR (Žiga & Dejan)
• TipoRenesansa Letterpress Studio (Marko Drpić)

 

Final Stage: Professional Sharing and Opportunities
The Long-term Photography Mentorship with Simon Chang 2025–2026 will conclude with an open public event – a special evening dedicated to sharing the stories, ideas and images that have taken shape over the course of several months.

 

Participants will present their completed or ongoing projects at Galerija Fotografija, in front of an audience that includes friends, families and fellow photographers who have followed and supported the program or who simply appreciate this kind of storytelling through images.

It will be a night of conversations, reflections and exchange, a celebration of the creative journeys that have unfolded throughout this mentorship.

 

Mentorship Focus

• Personalised mentorship – tailored to each participant’s creative direction and project stage
• Small-group setting – fostering exchange, critical dialogue and collaboration within a supportive environment
• Integration of artistic and practical development – developing or refining a personal photographic project, strengthening visual storytelling and narrative flow, editing, sequencing, preparing works for exhibitions, photobooks or publication
• Connecting with Ljubljana’s creative community (bookbinding, bookmaking, inkjet printing, artisan framing, letterpress, typography) through studio visits and dialogue

 

Who Can Apply
This program welcomes everyone curious and engaged, including:

• Emerging and mid-career photographers
• Visual artists developing narrative or documentary projects
• Creators preparing for exhibitions, publications or photobooks
• Foreign photographers and storytellers living in Slovenia seeking a creative community
• Anyone wishing to engage in a reflective, long-term mentorship process

 

Applicants should have an ongoing or planned project (an idea in progress) and be ready to engage in open-minded discussion and creative development throughout the program.

 

Schedule & Duration

• Program duration: Approximately 7 months (November 2025–June 2026)
• Meeting frequency: Individual and group sessions held periodically throughout the year, arranged with each participant
• Format: In-person (recommended) or hybrid (online participation possible)
• Language: English

Application & Fees
A limited number of seats are available to ensure personal attention and guidance.

• Tuition fee: 580 € (Early Bird and returning participant discounts available)

• Application deadline: 25th November 2025

 

To apply, please send an email with the subject "Mentorstvo Simon Chang", your name, surname, address and phone number to tina.deu@galerijafotografija.si.

  

In case of further questions regarding the workshop, do not hesitate to contact us.

 

More about Simon Chang and his award-winning book Shepherds and the Slaughterhouse.