Spring Photography Studio at RISD Explores the Art of the Photo Book

“The world of photo books is fast growing, interesting and one of the richer aspects of art photography,” says Photography Department Head Steven Smith. “A lot of artists work specifically with groups of pictures and believe that utilizing the confines of a book is the best way to present their work.” 

Smith is discussing his spring studio, Bookmaking for Photographers, in which undergrad and grad students alike learned how to sequence their images and create unique and meaningful photo books. It’s an opportunity, he explains, for artists to create their own language, layer meaning within their work and consider each photo in the context of other images.  

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Students in the class used their own photos as well as found materials from open archives to make maquettes or book dummies using programs like Adobe InDesign. They expanded their visual literacy with the help of guest speakers and gained new perspectives by editing one another’s work.

Grad student Kyle Dong MFA 26 PH says bookmaking has become an essential part of his practice. “I became enchanted by the tactile experience of holding photographs in my hands and flipping through the pages to experience the sequence as it unfolds,” he explains.

Dong notes that hands-on workshops added immense value to the course. In late April, the group visited Meridian Printing to see the inner workings of a digital on-demand press. The class also learned about e-jet and laser printers and created their own flat-bound books in studio.  

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By the end of the semester, each student had created a coherent, photo-based artist book that can stand alone as a meaningful group of images. 

“This class has helped me further develop my practical skills in bookmaking, but also provided conceptual knowledge and history behind the photo book as it became its own medium,” says Dong. 

Kaylee Pugliese / Top image: Photo book work by grad student Kyle Dong
June 12, 2025