Monograph Masterclass

About the Program

An end-to-end six-month program guiding a small cohort of photographers through the curation, design, on-press printing, and public launch of a fully realized photographic monograph, produced in partnership with Mark de Paola, dePAOLA Pictures, Brilliant Graphics, Camera West, and Leica Store San Francisco.

Participants complete a published, professionally printed monograph, experiencing every stage: image curation, sequencing, design, paper and binding selection, press checks in Pennsylvania, and a San Francisco book launch event.

Program at a Glance

• Duration: 6 months (July – December 2026)
• Cohort size: 6 maximum participants
• Format: Online & in person
• Tuition: $9,995
• Activity level: High
• Outcome: Published monograph

The Sessions: Complete Curriculum

Part I: Design (July – August)

01 | Introduction to Bookmaking & Participant Introductions

July 15 & 16 · Online

Lectures, participant introductions, and individual body-of-work reviews. A Brilliant Graphics overview covers process, design, print, binding, fulfillment, and paper — and the three questions every monograph must answer.

02 | Design Meeting & Image Curation

July 21 & 22 · Online or In Person, Los Angeles

Group session with Brilliant's printing team, followed by one-on-one curation and image editing (approximately 2 hours per participant). Individual design consultations with the printer. Attendance flexibility: online or in person.

03 | Sequencing

July 24 & 25 · Online

Dedicated one-on-one sequencing sessions focused on structure, pacing, and format. Submit special thanks, dedication, image titles, and required book text in advance.

04 | Sequencing & Refinement

July 27 & 28 · Online

One-on-one sessions with Mark de Paola and production. Finalize title, artist credit, and all book text alongside any remaining image and file updates.

05 | Prep for Design Handoff

July 31 & August 1 · Online

One-on-one meetings with Mark, production, the printer, and the design team. Review creative direction and transition all materials to your dedicated book designer.

06 | Supporting Materials & Promotion

August 2–3 · Online

Finalize promotional assets and written materials. Submit final InDesign roughs complete with copy and high-res TIFFs, with pagination and notes for design and production.

07 | Design Check-In

August 12–13 · Online

Review design progress with sample spreads, font choices, and cover directions. A pivotal moment to align on the visual identity of your book before final design.

08 | Final Design Presentation

August 27–28 · Online

Completed design PDFs reviewed with dePAOLA Pictures and Brilliant. A group presentation of all finished designs closes Part I.

Part II: Production, Printing & Launch (September – December)

09 | Pre-Production

September · Online

Finalize materials and approvals with Mark, production, and the printing team. Estimates must be approved to order materials and meet press deadlines.

10 | On-Press Printing Experience

October 6 & 7 · Brilliant Graphics, Exton, PA

Two-day, in-person experience at Brilliant Graphics. Walk through the printing process, conduct individual press checks and final approvals, sit for filmed interviews, and collaborate directly with the print and production team.

11 | Production & Shipping

October 8 – November · Online

Printing, post-press finishing, and binding. Books ship together to San Francisco for the launch, with advance copies arranged directly to artists as they come off the binding lines.

12 | Book Launch & Signing

December 2 · San Francisco

Present your completed book at an official launch and signing event alongside Mark, Camera West, and Leica Store San Francisco. Participant documentaries are screened and books go on sale for the duration of the launch event.

Meet the Team

Mark de Paola — Photographer & Instructor

New York City–based fine art and fashion photographer with over thirty years of experience. Credits include campaign and fine art commissions for Vogue Spain, Vogue Mexico, Gucci, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Roksanda, and Saint Laurent.

His fine art work is held in public collections including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), The Getty (Los Angeles), San Diego Center of Photographic Arts, and the TOP Museum (Tokyo). Published monographs include Recent Work I (2018), Recent Work II (2019), and Five Years and Sixty Seconds (2020), carried by Leica Camera retailers worldwide.

Sage Backstrom — Producer & Editor, dePAOLA Pictures

More than ten years producing for Mark de Paola and dePAOLA Pictures. Experience includes sequencing and curating more than ten fine art photography monographs, curating solo exhibitions globally, and producing fashion and beauty campaigns and editorials. Recently produced and edited Mark's forthcoming feature film A Stab At Heaven.

Bob Tursack — CEO, Brilliant Graphics, Exton, PA

Founder of Brilliant in 2000. A lifelong printing professional who first worked on a small press at age 12, later studying at RIT, GATF, and the Heidelberg School in Germany. A second-generation printer and member of the Soderstrom Society. Notable photographic projects include collaborations with Steve McCurry, Ralph Gibson, Sally Mann, George Tice, Mark Seliger, the Andy Warhol Foundation, LACMA, and the Albuquerque Museum.

Peter Philbin — Brilliant Graphics

Over twenty-five years of experience in photography and print. Established Brilliant's Photography Department, bringing deep expertise in color management and image reproduction. Holds a BFA from Tyler School of Art and maintains an active practice as a fine art photographer. Book design is led by the design team at Brilliant.

What's Included in Tuition

• All lectures, instruction, and consultation from Mark de Paola
• Production, curation, and sequencing support from Sage Backstrom & dePAOLA Pictures
• Design and concept consult with Mark, production, designer, and printing team
• Book design fees with Brilliant
• One printing estimate delivered in Week 7 from Brilliant Graphics
• A private lecture and walkthrough of Brilliant's facilities in Exton, PA
• Three completed copies of your book purchased wholesale from Camera West for in-store display
• One promo / interview video with dePAOLA Pictures filmed at Brilliant
• One promo product video of your book produced by Camera West
• Stills from being on press at Brilliant
• Camera West Book Signing Launch Event in December 2026
• Instagram Story on @cameraweststore describing your project
• Instagram launch announcement post listing all artists and projects
• Email blast highlighting the launch and all artist book projects
• Camera West logo on the back credit page of your book

What's Not Included (Separate Costs)

• Book printing fees — each participant arranges printing costs directly with Brilliant. Email info@depaolapictures.com for sample printing estimates.
• Flights and hotel accommodations while on press at Brilliant in Exton, PA
• Flights and hotel accommodations to attend the book launch event in San Francisco

Book Specification Requirements

120 pages or fewer. The printed edition must not exceed 2,000 copies. Options range from a soft-cover, singer-sewn 5×7" edition of 50 to a hardbound, cloth-cover offset edition of 2,000 — and all variations in between. An "artist first" approach brings all visions and printing budgets to life.

Investment & Cancellation Policy

Tuition: $9,995, due in full upon registration.

Cancellation policy: $1,500 of tuition is nonrefundable. Cancel more than 30 days before the program start and 50% of the remaining $8,495 is returned. Within 30 days of the program start, tuition is nonrefundable.

How to Apply

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; allow up to seven days for review. The team may follow up with additional questions or request a brief call.

Your application should include:

• Up to 50 sample images from your proposed book project (low resolution)
• Artist biography
• Website and social media links
• Written description of your project
• Notes on the conceptual development and creation of the work
• Any additional comments outlining your vision for the book

Partnership

Camera West × dePAOLA Pictures · Leica Store San Francisco · Brilliant Graphics