FOCAL POINT workshop with Richard Kalman & Simon Roberts

A one-day intensive to help you move a photographic project forward.

One project. One day. A clearer way forward.

Got a photographic project you're struggling to resolve?

Perhaps you're unsure about the edit, the sequencing isn't working, you've lost sight of the project's direction, or you're simply not sure what to do next.

Focal Point is a practical, intensive one-day workshop designed to help you get unstuck.

Photographer Simon Roberts and gallerist Richard Kalman will work with a small group of photographers, focusing on individual projects rather than lectures or theory. Bring one body of work you're currently wrestling with and put it on the table for focused discussion, constructive critique and practical problem-solving.

EARLY BIRD OFFER - First 5 places discounted over 20%. 

Drawing on more than 40 years of combined experience across photography, galleries, publishing and the wider photographic industry, Simon and Richard will help you identify the issues within your project, make decisions about the work and establish a realistic path forward.

The focus is simple:

FOCUS ON ONE PROJECT Bring a photographic project you're currently developing, editing or struggling to resolve.

FOCUS ON THE ISSUES What isn't working? What are you unsure about? Through group critique and one-to-one discussion, we'll identify the key questions and challenges within your project.

FOCUS ON NEXT STEPS Move beyond discussion and make decisions. You'll leave with a clearer sense of direction and practical actions for moving your project forward.

What will the day involve?

The workshop will be deliberately participatory, with the majority of the day spent looking at and discussing participants' work.

• Project presentations — introduce your work and explain where you're currently stuck.
• Group critique — receive constructive feedback from Simon, Richard and the other participants.
• Editing and sequencing — look closely at the work and explore how editing, sequencing and structure can strengthen a project.
• Project development — consider what the work is trying to say, what may be missing and where it could go.
• Professional perspective — draw on Simon's experience as an artist and Richard's experience as a gallerist to consider how the project might ultimately be presented or positioned.
• Actionable next steps — identify the decisions and practical tasks needed to move the project forward.

There will be some discussion of the current photography landscape, galleries and publishing, but the emphasis is firmly on your work and your project.

You’ll leave with:

• A clearer understanding of what is and isn't working within your project
• A more resolved edit or clearer approach to editing
• New perspectives on your work from experienced practitioners and fellow photographers
• A stronger sense of the project's direction and potential
• A practical set of next steps to help you move forward

Who is it for?

Focal Point is aimed at photographers and visual artists who have an existing body of work or photographic project that they want to develop further.

It may be particularly useful if you're:

• Struggling to make an edit or sequence
• Unsure whether your project is finished
• Considering turning a project into a photobook or exhibition
• Preparing work for a gallery or portfolio review
• Finding it difficult to articulate what your project is about
• Simply feeling stuck and unsure what to do next

This isn't a workshop about making more photographs. It's about making more of the work you've already made.

What to bring:

Please bring one project that you're actively working on.

Working prints are encouraged, but simple digital proofs are absolutely fine. The more you are prepared to put on the table — including work you're uncertain about — the more useful the day will be.

About Simon Roberts & Richard Kalman

Simon Roberts is an internationally exhibited British artist and photographer whose work explores the social and political landscape of Britain. His photographs have been exhibited and published internationally and are held in major collections including the V&A, George Eastman Museum and Deutsche Börse Art Collection.

Richard Kalman is a gallerist with extensive experience working with photographers and artists, developing projects and presenting photographic work within the gallery and publishing landscape.

Together, Simon and Richard bring complementary perspectives from the artist, gallery and publishing worlds.

Previous participant feedback

“...it was very helpful in getting me out of the lay-by and moving forward with organising my work.”
Richard, 2025

“A huge thank you for such an ‘empowering’ day, plus your generosity in sharing so much practical and professional information.”
Rosemary, 2025

“I feel honoured, inspired, and emboldened enough to tackle the next stage of my endeavour.”
Denise, 2025