DESCRIPTION:
Whether you're embarking on a new body of work, seeking momentum for an ongoing project, or refining a personal voice, this immersive experience will offer a powerful combination of insight, mentorship, and critical feedback in an intimate setting.
Over the course of two transformative days, Mona Kuhn will open the door to her creative process. Through candid presentations, individual guidance, and group conversation, participants will gain a rare behind-the-scenes perspective into how Mona conceptualizes, develops, and refines her projects, exhibitions, and books.
This masterclass is about vision. You’ll explore the deeper emotional, symbolic, and psychological layers that turn ordinary images into poetic revelations. With her intuitive and encouraging teaching style, Mona will guide you through sessions aimed at unlocking your personal language and building the confidence to trust it.
TOPICS:
- Where do our images and creativity come from?
- Building confidence in your own inner voice and visual language.
- Developing a sustainable creative practice
- Turning obstacles into visual poetry
- The role of memory and emotion in photography
- Conceptualizing series: from single image to books
- Pre-visualizing exhibitions and self-promotion
This exclusive class provides access to a world-renowned photographer, curator and educator who has a gift to encourage and help push your work further. You will also gain insights into exhibition formats and book publishing strategies that have helped shape Mona’s international career.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This program is ideal for photographers, cinematographers, and visual artists who are serious about developing their personal projects. Whether you're just beginning or in the thick of a long-term body of work, this class will meet you where you are—with thoughtful critiques and individualized feedback to help move your vision forward.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW?
Participants should submit a portfolio of 12–20 images in advance (see details below). During the class, bring a printed selection of your work—physical prints are preferred, but digital portfolios are also welcome.
All photographic genres are encouraged, from documentary and portraiture to conceptual and hybrid practices.
Portfolio Submission Details
Please submit 12–20 images for Mona’s review:
- Image Size: 5MB or less
- Send via: Zip File, Dropbox, or Google Drive
- Submit to: akademieusa@leica-camera.com
- Due: August 27, 2025
AGENDA:
Saturday 9/27:
10:00- 4:00pm –
Sunday 9/28:
11:00am-4:30pm –
Class Size and Format:
- Maximum of 10-12 participants (intentionally small to allow for in-depth feedback)
- 2 days, approximately 6 hours each
Fee: $1,199.99
TESTIMONIALS:
"This was one of the most generous and insightful workshops I’ve attended. Mona's ability to see the emotional thread in my images helped me push past creative blocks I'd been stuck in for years."
— Daniel K., Documentary Photographer
“Mona’s masterclass was a creative reset. Her feedback was both razor-sharp and deeply empathetic. I left with clarity, direction, and a deeper connection to my own work."
— Elena M., Fine Art Photographer
"Being part of such a small group allowed for meaningful dialogue. Mona’s honesty, curiosity, and calm presence made me feel seen—not just as a photographer, but as an artist."
— Marissa L., Visual Artist
"The experience was transformational. Mona challenged me to trust my instincts and gave me tools to shape my work with intention and soul."
— João R., Cinematographer
Photo credit:Boris Salchow
About Mona Kuhn:
For over 25 years, Mona Kuhn has used photography and lens-based media art to re-examine figurative discourse, rendering the physical and metaphysical presence in the human figure. Through her lens, Kuhn invites viewers to contemplate the intricacies of our existence, unveiling the hidden depths of our shared humanity.
Mona Kuhn is an American artist, born in São Paulo, Brazil, of German descent, in 1969. Kuhn earned her BA from The Ohio State University before furthering her studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. She is an independent scholar at The Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles. Kuhn's works have been shown steadily, revealing an astonishing consistency in technique, subject, and purpose. Kuhn’s distinct aesthetic propelled her as one of the most collectible contemporary art photographers. In 2021, Kuhn received The Stieglitz Award for her contributions to fine art photography. Occasionally, Mona Kuhn teaches at UCLA and the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
Kuhn’s first monograph, Photographs, was debuted by Steidl in 2004; followed by Evidence (2007), Native (2010), Bordeaux Series (2011), Private (2014), and She Disappeared into Complete Silence (2018/19). In addition, Stanley/Barker Editions published Kuhn's Bushes & Succulents in 2018. In 2021, Thames & Hudson published a career retrospective titled Works. Kuhn's most recent publication Kings Road with Steidl accompanies a multi-dimensional museum traveling exhibition shown in Europe and the US.
Mona Kuhn’s work is in private and public collections worldwide, including The J. Paul Getty Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Hammer Museum, the Perez Art Museum in Miami, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Kiyosato Museum in Japan. Kuhn's work has been exhibited at The Louvre Museum and Le Bal in Paris, The Whitechapel Gallery and Royal Academy of Arts in London, Musée de l’Elysée in Switzerland, Leopold Museum in Vienna Austria, The Polygon Gallery in Vancouver Canada, Australian Centre for Photography and Taipei Fine Arts Museum in Taiwan. Mona Kuhn lives in Los Angeles, and her works are represented by galleries in the US, Europe, and Asia.
AT-A-GLANCE
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Dates
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