Two recent reviews of "A Creature Obeys a Creature That Wants" compliment each other beautifully.
@sunilphoto speaks about his personal relationship with the book and gives it a cultural-historical context in @americansuburbx while Lee Halvorsen critiques the edit and sequencing, the materiality and the translation of the book in @thephotobookjournal
Book available by DM, through @mesaestandar and at @theprintcenter
Class: The Poetics of documentary Photography
Dates: February 11 - March 11, 2026
Schedule: Wednesday, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM CST
Instructor: Tom Griggs @griggstom
Location: Online Zoom Classroom
Students in this course will explore visual strategies for going beyond traditional modes of documentary image making. Whether you are a photographer with assignment experience looking to transition into making more personally expressive work or a beginner interested in making yourself more visually present in your photography, this class will explore how the lines of photojournalism, documentary photography and art photography increasingly overlap these days and the exciting possibilities that opens for us as photographers.
Registration via link in bio
Class: Developing Documentary Projects
Dates: September 17 - November 12
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Instructor: Tom Griggs @griggstom
Location: Online
Our understanding of what constitutes documentary photography has changed and shifted over its history. Students in this course will be encouraged to consider the breadth of options offered by contemporary documentary practice and think broadly about how to represent their subjects. Students will engage in group feedback sessions on the photographs made outside of class to help them develop their photographic voice and learn to ask the essential and hard questions about documentary practice.
Registration via link in bio
Clase: La Poética de la Fotografía Documental
Fechas: 16 de julio al 13 de agosto de 2025
Reuniones: Miércoles, 6:30 PM a 9:30 PM Hora Central
Instructor: Tom Griggs @griggstom
Ubicación: Clase virtual via Zoom
¿Quieres llevar tu fotografía documental a un nivel más poético y personal? Esta clase en línea te invita a explorar nuevas formas de contar historias visuales, donde lo documental, lo artístico y lo expresivo se entrelazan. Durante cinco sesiones, reflexionarás sobre tu visión como fotógrafo, aprenderás a leer imágenes con mayor profundidad, y trabajarás en proyectos personales que conecten técnica, concepto y emoción.
Registro a través de biografía
Class: The Poetics of Documentary Photography
Dates: Apr 30-May 28
Schedule: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Instructor: Tom Griggs @griggstom
Location: Online
In this course, students will push the boundaries of documentary photography by blending journalism, art, and personal expression. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer looking to inject more creativity into your work or a beginner wanting to make your mark, you will explore how these genres intersect and the exciting new possibilities for visual storytelling.
Registration via link in bio
Contemporary Documentary Practices: Poetics & Concepts
Thursday, April 3, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. CST
Online via Zoom (Free)
Traditional documentary photography can often present as being story-based, direct, informative, and even lacking subtlety, but it doesn’t have to. Developing interesting and thought-provoking photographic work requires cracking the code of concept and form: the place where idea, approach, aesthetics and visual language successfully integrate.
In this webinar, HCP Instructors Sanne De Wilde @sanne_de_wilde , Tom Griggs @griggstom and Jake Eshelman @jake.eshelman will present their personal work and review strategies that transcend traditional modes of documentary image making. The panel will discuss contemporary approaches to creating nuanced and informed bodies of work, establishing relationships and earning trust, and developing a visual style within documentary photography.
Free registration is available via link in bio.
