Photograph © LouPeralta.art

MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON

Author, Educator, and Advisor to Photographic Artists

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About MVS - Upcoming Classes - Mentoring - Publications - Newsletter - Resources - MVS on the Road - Contact

Mary Virginia Swanson has spent her career helping artists find the strengths in their work, identify appreciative audiences, and present their work in an informed, professional manner.

Unique among authorities in our field, Swanson’s in-depth knowledge, professional reputation and relationships throughout our industry offer a broad range of perspectives on both the making and marketing of photo-based work.

Her private mentoring, online group learning lectures & symposia, and in-depth, in-person workshops and seminars have proven to aid photographers in moving their careers to the next level.

Swanson and Darius D. Himes are co-authors of “Publish Your Photography Book” which is considered essential reading for artists wishing to bring their projects to the book form (Radius Books, 3rd Edition, 2023).

MVS UPCOMING IN-PERSON EVENTS:

“Bringing Your Photography Project to Publication”

Friday evening public lecture, Saturday / Sunday Workshop (space is limited)

Aurora PhotoCenter, Indianapolis, IN September 25-27, 2026 https://www.auroraphoto.org/photo-project-publication-mary-virginia-swanson

Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Denver, CO November 6-8, 2026 https://cpacphoto.org/bringing-your-photography-project-to-publication-a-masterclass-with-mary-virginia-swanson/

“Finding Your Audience: An Introduction to Marketing Your Photographs”

Hosted by La Luz Workshops in NE Minneapolis, MN

October 2-4, 2026

Friday evening public lecture, Saturday One-Day Seminar on “Developing and Presenting Your Photographic Projects” with Minnesota Artists Panel, and Sunday Small Group Project Reviews (space is limited). Scholarships are available for the Saturday Seminar. https://www.laluzworkshops.com/workshop/finding-your-audience-an-introduction-to-marketing-your-photographs-2026

Photograph © Daniel Milnor

Co-authors Swanson and Himes, Publish Your Photography Book 3rd Edition Launch, Radius Books at Paris Photo 2023

mvswanson@gmail.com @maryvirginiaswanson www.publishyourphotogaphybook.com