What happens when a photographer decides to turn a body of work into a book?

In this new series from **The Crit House**, Jeff follows the development of a photobook from the earliest ideas through the decisions that ultimately shape the finished publication. Rather than simply talking about photobooks after they are completed, the goal is to document the process as it happens—exploring the creative, editorial, conceptual, and practical decisions that photographers face along the way.

For the first episode, Jeff sits down with Keron Psillas Oliveira, an accomplished photographer, writer, instructor, mentor, and longtime publishing professional. Keron brings decades of experience in photography and the print and publishing industries, along with the experience of creating, designing, and publishing numerous books of her own.

What happens before a photobook is designed?

In this second episode of The Crit House — Making a Photobook, I take an early look at The Mass Ave Project, and begin the process of asking what this work might become as a book. I read the project statement I’ve written for the work and share a selection of photographs from the project. But this isn’t a presentation of a finished idea. I’m looking for feedback. Does the concept hold together? Do the photographs communicate what I’m trying to say? This series is about making a photobook in public: showing the decisions, questions, discoveries, and sometimes uncertainty that happen along the way. Rather than simply presenting the finished object, I want to document the process of getting there.

Learn more from The Crit House here.