Intuitive Photo Sequencing with Clay Mills
This workshop is designed to help photographers find an appropriate language to build relationships between photographs in their sequence, whether for a book, a portfolio, or an exhibition. It focuses on the relation between images in proximity and will encourage participants to practice associative thinking to link photos together. By moving beyond traditional notions of linear storytelling, you will begin to discover the innate connections that can elevate a project from a series of individual images into a cohesive visual narrative.
Led by photographer, filmmaker, and writer Clay Mills, this workshop will guide you in building your own means of expression by looking for what is already present in your photographs. You will learn to harness your artistic intuition, transforming your body of work into a compelling visual story. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative discussion, you will gain a deeper understanding of how pacing, rhythm, and visual language impact the emotional weight of your project.
Ultimately, this workshop is built to help photographers who have a body of work but need help figuring out how it all comes together, like a puzzle. By the end of the session, you will be empowered to solve this puzzle and prepare your project for a wide range of presentations, from self-published zines to professional exhibitions.
This workshop is designed to help photographers find an appropriate language to build relationships between photographs in their sequence, whether for a book, a portfolio, or an exhibition. It focuses on the relation between images in proximity and will encourage participants to practice associative thinking to link photos together. By moving beyond traditional notions of linear storytelling, you will begin to discover the innate connections that can elevate a project from a series of individual images into a cohesive visual narrative.
Led by photographer, filmmaker, and writer Clay Mills, this workshop will guide you in building your own means of expression by looking for what is already present in your photographs. You will learn to harness your artistic intuition, transforming your body of work into a compelling visual story. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative discussion, you will gain a deeper understanding of how pacing, rhythm, and visual language impact the emotional weight of your project.
Ultimately, this workshop is built to help photographers who have a body of work but need help figuring out how it all comes together, like a puzzle. By the end of the session, you will be empowered to solve this puzzle and prepare your project for a wide range of presentations, from self-published zines to professional exhibitions.
This workshop is designed to help photographers find an appropriate language to build relationships between photographs in their sequence, whether for a book, a portfolio, or an exhibition. It focuses on the relation between images in proximity and will encourage participants to practice associative thinking to link photos together. By moving beyond traditional notions of linear storytelling, you will begin to discover the innate connections that can elevate a project from a series of individual images into a cohesive visual narrative.
Led by photographer, filmmaker, and writer Clay Mills, this workshop will guide you in building your own means of expression by looking for what is already present in your photographs. You will learn to harness your artistic intuition, transforming your body of work into a compelling visual story. Through hands-on exercises and collaborative discussion, you will gain a deeper understanding of how pacing, rhythm, and visual language impact the emotional weight of your project.
Ultimately, this workshop is built to help photographers who have a body of work but need help figuring out how it all comes together, like a puzzle. By the end of the session, you will be empowered to solve this puzzle and prepare your project for a wide range of presentations, from self-published zines to professional exhibitions.
Intuitive Photo Sequencing with Clay Mills
Objectives and Benefits
Create a Draft Sequence: If you haven’t yet begun sequencing your work, you will walk away with the beginning of a draft sequence for your project.
Refine a Pre-existing Sequence: If you have begun sequencing but feel stuck, you will receive a fresh perspective and new direction for your work.
Hone Your Intuition: You will learn to reflect on your own work and the work of others, producing a feedback loop that helps you gain insight into your own practice by means of your own advice.
Target Participants
This workshop is designed for:
Photographers who have a body of work but are less familiar with how to assemble it into a cohesive sequence.
Artists interested in putting together a portfolio, book, or other sequenced project.
Creatives with a work in progress who would like more pairs of eyes to get a better sense of its shape.
The class size is limited to 6 participants to ensure a hands-on, supportive, and engaging environment.
Language of Instruction
This workshop will be conducted in English, with simultaneous Japanese translation. Both English- and Japanese-speaking participants are welcome.
Schedule
This workshop will be held during the Ephemere Photo Fest at Gallery Conceal Shibuya in Tokyo.
Date: Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The session is scheduled for six hours and includes a one-hour break, with an open-ended Q&A session at the conclusion. We kindly advise all participants to eat lunch or brunch before attending the workshop.
Workshop Fees
The workshop fee is $100 (or ¥15,000) per participant.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made one month prior to the workshop date will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations made less than one month prior to the workshop date are non-refundable.
Required Equipment & Materials
25-50 postcard-sized prints from your project in a portfolio case
A laptop
A hard drive with all the working project photos
Masking tape
Something to take notes with
Workshop Overview
Pre-Workshop: Participants will submit a selection of 25-50 images, focusing on a consistent theme or artistic vision.
During the Workshop: Each participant will get 45 minutes to an hour to lay out their photos. The group will then collaboratively discuss how to put the project together, focusing on harnessing the artist's intuition.
Post-Workshop: Throughout the Ephemere Photo Fest, participants can continue to refine their sequence. On the last day of the EPF, they will have the option to submit their refined sequence to be projected in the gallery.
About the Mentor: Clay Mills
Artistic Philosophy: Clay Mills is a photographer, filmmaker, and writer based in Chicago. His work is known for photographing modernity, capturing the “ugly” as if it were “beautiful.” His photos have been described as capturing the "indecisive moment," a distinctive approach that sets him apart.
Experience & Guidance: With experience teaching at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Northwestern University, Clay is dedicated to helping photographers realize their unique vision. He is committed to bringing the aesthetic core of his students' work to the surface for their use.
More from Clay Mills: Clay's work has been shown at Filter Photo, the Gene Siskel Film Center, and the Museum of the Big Bend. You can find more from him on his Website and Instagram.
Application Form
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need further information before submitting your application, please feel free to email us at anne@ephemere.tokyo.