Established in 2008 by Alec Soth, Little Brown Mushroom (LBM) is committed to exploring the narrative potential of the photo book. Having worked closely with photographers, writers and designers, we’re now eager to exchange ideas with students and emerging artists.
Visual storytelling tends to be a lonely business. As such, it attracts more than its share of wallflowers. Here at LBM (home to more than a couple introverts), we thought it would be worthwhile to bring creative loners together to see what we can learn from each other. We’re envisioning a gathering that is more summer camp than classroom. After various daytime outings, we’ll sit around the digital projector and tell each other stories. From there we’ll discuss the ways in which visual stories can be translated into book form.
When: July 9-13, 2013
Where: After gathering each morning at the Little Brown Mushroom headquarters in St. Paul, we’ll have regular outings around the Twin Cities. Participants should have their own transportation. Housing is not provided.
Who: The gathering will be led by LBM team: Alec Soth, Carrie Thompson, Galen Fletcher, Ethan Jones, Brad Zellar and Jason Polan. We are inviting photographers, writers, illustrators, designers or anyone interested in visual storytelling to apply. While social awkwardness isn’t mandatory, it is encouraged.
Cost: Free
How to apply:
Create a single PDF (no bigger than 5mb) with the following:
- Your name and contact information
- A concise and informal biography (age, where do you live, what do you do, etc). We’d also love to see a picture of you.
- Examples of your work (this can be photography, writing, illustration, graphic design or anything else you can get into a PDF).
- A link to your website or other work you have online
- Important: we can not accept PDF files larger than 5mb
Email the PDF to camp@littlebrownmushroom.com
Deadline: April 15th. We will notify applicants about our selection by April 30th.
view this info as a printable PDF
Oh my, oh my, starting my application now!
This is the coolest.
A biography? Tch!
This is about storytelling…tell us your story.
Challenge accepted. Be careful what what you wish for, Mr Soth.
I have a question. If I apply and am accepted but I live in the UK, how on earth can I attend? Are you able to help with travel costs (I know, I know but I have to ask) This is a subject (telling stories with photography not travel costs) very close to my heart but, much as I’d love to, there’s no way I can afford to fly all the way to the US for this.
We are not able to help with travel costs. Please do not apply if you are unable to attend.
How concise should it be?
If it’s all under 5mb is it good or should the written part be very short?
Hi Ali, mostly we just want to get to know you a little bit. Not looking for anything formal. As long as it is under 5mb, feel free to submit anything you think tells your story. Thanks.
Will there be a camp for misanthropes later in the year, preferably in the dead of winter?
That is actually a brilliant idea Charles.
You should offer it… and then cancel at the last minute.
Maybe you could drive the Little Brown Misanthrope RV.
That would be a bitchy ride. Is your Uncle still alive?
BTW, postcards are great but dispatches totally rock a monkey’s ass.
Thanks buddy. Yeah, Uncle Jackson is in storage in Minneapolis. He will definitely be participating in camp.
I’ll tell Carlos about your sleeping Uncle… although he hasn’t left his room in three months.
It is possible to submit video? or links to a video?
The focus of this is book production, so we prefer a PDF. But feel free to include a link to a video in your PDF. Thanks.
Could you tell us how many campers you’re thinking of hosting?
Big thanks!
We are thinking 8-12, but not 100% sure.
I can’t get over how incredible this sounds. What an amazing opportunity.
arrrgghhh..I live in Indonesia, which means i can’t send my application. Can i?
Thanks for your interest. If you are unable to attend, please don’t apply. Thank you.
Hello, a friend and I are interested in applying, but we wondered whether it would be possible for us to apply together? Thank you
Sure, you could apply together, just make this explicit in your application. Thanks.
Will it be mushroom season?
I am so excited about this fantastic opportunity! Thank you, LBM! Application sent. :)
Aghhh I wish I lived in America. Come live in england?
Is the work in the PDF supposed to show narrative potential, or is the camp open to people who are just generally interested in narrative but may have little experience (successfully) executing it?
Hi Jin, the PDF is yours to shape however you wish. You can use it to show existing work, talk about experiments you’d like to do, etc. We expect, and in fact have already received, applications from people with vastly different levels of experience. What is interesting is not a formal application but an application that really leaves a lasting impression.
Ok for a high school student who has his own wheels?
Definitely. Tweens on bikes, whatever.
You have no idea how stressful it is putting together this PDF! Thanks for the opportunity.
This looks fantastic! Do you know the start and end times for a typical camp day yet?
No, but we expect really long days
In true procrastinator form I’m finishing up my application today but I’ll have it in by midnight. I couldn’t almost pass up such an incredible opportunity.
Is the deadline for submitting applications flexible at all?
Sorry, we had to be firm with the deadline.
When do you let people know who’s in im stressing out here. My life depends on it!
We will notify applicants about our selection by April 30th.
Oh wow, if only I’d seen this a month ago an didn’t live in England. I got excited just reading about it! If this is successful, please do something like this again!
I know this years application process has closed, but based on your archive it looks like these workshops take place at different times of the year? Is there and application schedule for future dates?
Thanks
Best kt
This is actually our first event of this sort. You can subscribe to the LBM blog to stay informed about future events. Thanks.