A Photozine Workshop with Simon Chang and Maruša Hren
27. in 28. 8. 2025
at the Opening Week of Kranj Foto Fest 2025
Weaving Images Into Objects
This two-day workshop offers an immersive dive into the creative process of making a photo zine—from editing and sequencing to hands-on production.
On Day 1, participants will explore visual storytelling, editing strategies, and zine design, guided by photographer Simon Chang and bookbinder/artist Maruša Hren.
On Day 2, the focus shifts to assembling and finalizing each participant’s 24-page publication in a collaborative zinemaking session.
The workshop concludes with a casual sharing circle, where participants will present their finished zines and receive feedback from fellow creators, photobook enthusiasts, and guest publishers.
Join us and transform your photo project into a tangible, expressive publication—ready to share with the world.
Workshop Structure:
Day 1, Wednesday, 27.8.2025
From Idea to Edit: Concept, Craft & Context
10.00–12.30 We’ll begin the day with a short introduction of our works, offering a glimpse into the creative approaches of Simon and Maruša. This opening sets the tone for the workshop, followed by an intensive session focused on image editing and sequencing. Participants will start working hands-on with their images, exploring ways to shape a compelling visual narrative.
12:30–13:30 Lunch break
13:30–17:00 The afternoon continues with a deep dive into visual editing. With guidance from Simon and peer feedback, participants will refine their selections and experiment with sequencing, laying the groundwork for their zine structure on Day 2.
Day 2, Thursday, 28.8.2025
Shaping the Zine: Design, Print & Bind
10.00–12.30 / 12:30–13:30 lunch break / 13.30–16.30
On Day 2, participants will continue refining their image selections and sequences, moving toward finalizing their visual story. They will then begin designing their zines using a provided InDesign template, with support from Simon and Maruša. Once the layouts are ready, participants will print, fold, and bind their 24-page A5 zines through hands-on bookmaking activities. The completed zines will be presented later during the Kranj Foto Fest as part of a collective showcase, offering participants the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience of photobook enthusiasts, creators, and publishers.
Final Presentation
At the end of the workshop, you’ll have the chance to present your completed zine at the Kranj Foto Fest—an opportunity to share your creative process and celebrate with friends over drinks. This final showcase marks the culmination of an immersive journey in photo zine-making, collaboration, and artistic exchange.
About Maruša Hren
Maruša Hren is a renowned artisan and graphic technologist with over thirty years of experience in printing and bookbinding. After many years in the printing industry, she founded her own bookbinding studio in 2012, where she focuses on the handcrafted production of books and printed materials.
Her work is rooted in both preserving and updating traditional manual techniques, and she is passionate about passing on her knowledge to younger generations. She regularly leads workshops for students, schoolchildren, and the general public. In 2024, she was awarded the title of Recognized Artisan by the Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia. Under the brand Marujčki, she creates products that honor tradition while expressing a contemporary, intimate sensibility.
About Simon Chang
Simon Chang is a Taiwanese documentary photographer based in Europe since 2003. His work focuses on marginalized communities, unheard voices, and mental health in post-conflict regions. In 2004, he entered the master’s program in photography at FAMU in Prague and has lived in Ljubljana, Slovenia since 2010.
He has received major awards including the Slovenia Press Photo Award (2011, 2012, 2015), the Kaohsiung Award (2011), and Taiwan’s Golden Tripod Award (2018, 2020, 2021). His work has been exhibited across Europe and Asia, including at the Reina Sofia Museum (Madrid), NCCA (Moscow), Cankarjev dom and Galerija Kresija (Ljubljana), Collegium Hungaricum (Berlin), and museums in Taipei and Beijing. His latest photobook, Shepherds and the Slaughterhouse (2023), won Best Designed Book at the Ljubljana Book Fair, was shortlisted for the Brumen Design Award, Athens Photo Festival Pick:24, and won Best Photobook at the 2024 Belfast Photo Festival.
What to bring for the workshop:
40–60 printed photographs (approx. 10 × 15 cm, matte) for editing and sequencing;
A completed or near-final body of work;
Introductory text for the project;
Visual references or inspirations;
Adobe InDesign installed on your laptop.
Early Bird fee: €160, valid for payments made by 17.06.2025.
Full fee: €180, available from 18.06.2025 until all spots are filled.
The participation fee covers the printing and production of a zine, so you’ll complete the workshop with your own zine to take home.
The number of spots is limited to 12 participants. Apply by sending an email to info@kranjfotofest.org
Fee Transparency Policy
Kranj Foto Fest does not retain any portion of the fees from the workshops we offer. The participation fee goes entirely toward covering essential costs: mentors’ fees, travel, accommodation (for mentors from abroad), meals, coordination, translation, design, and promotion. We believe that a shared, modest contribution from each participant is the only sustainable way to run our educational program and bring international experts to Kranj—so that photographers can access these opportunities.
This year, our educational program also included a fully funded, five-month mentorship for emerging Slovenian photographers. They didn’t have to pay any participation fee and are now presenting their work in a festival exhibition, also fully covered by Kranj Foto Fest and our partners.
We see education as a vital pillar for nurturing the photography community in our town and across Slovenia, and we warmly encourage and invite Slovenian photographers to apply. Welcome!
