Fotografiska Academy: Portrait as Storytelling 

Overview

Guided by award-winning photographer Mirjana Vrbaški, this new 5-session course will teach you how to take striking portrait photographs. Drawing inspiration from exhibitions by Frank Ockenfels 3 and Viviane Sassen, you’ll explore the visual language of renowned photographers, uncover what makes a portrait truly compelling and apply the insights to your own work.

What stories do portraits tell? Do they capture a person’s essence, address broader themes or reflect something about the photographer? Through group discussions, hands-on exercises and a final portrait series project, you’ll find and refine your artistic voice and build a more intentional, cohesive portfolio.

About the host  

Mirjana Vrbaški is a photographer known for her distinctive portraiture. A Taylor Wessing Portrait Award winner, she studied Literature in Canada before earning a BFA in Photography from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Her work, exploring themes of kinship and empathy, is featured in collections like the National Portrait Gallery and Fries Museum. Her monograph Odd Time (2021) unites her portrait and landscape photography. Based in Berlin, she exhibits internationally and has taught at institutions like KHB Kunsthochschule Weissensee and C/O Berlin since 2014.  

The course consists of five sessions:  

March 17: The Possibilities of Portraiture 

Analyze the work of renowned portrait photographers, exploring how they use composition, color and format to convey meaning. Define your interests, receive a take-home exercise and collaboratively choose a course project; a portrait series to be completed by the end of the course.  

March 24: Exhibition Visit & First Feedback 

Visit the Frank Ockenfels 3 and Viviane Sassen exhibitions, discussing their visual language, concepts and presentation. Refine course project themes and portfolios based on the first exercise results.  

March 31 & April 7: Developing the Course Project

Bring in-progress work to delve into refining your visual language, editing selections and balancing consistency with creative risk. Through discussion and feedback, let your project take shape and gain depth.  

April 14: Final Presentation & Celebration

Present your portrait series and receive feedback from the group, as well as our Director of Exhibitions, Marina Paulenka. Reflect on key takeaways and conclude this creative journey with a celebratory reception at Fotografiska’s Bar Verōnika, featuring snacks and drinks to honor your achievements.  

Image credit: © Mirjana Vrbaški 
 

SCHEDULE

• March 17, Monday, 18:30 – 21:00
• March 24, Monday, 18:30 – 21:00 (+ visit to exhibitions of Frank Ockenfels 3 and Viviane Sassen)
• March 31, Monday, 18:30 – 21:00
• April 7, Monday, 18:30 – 21:00
• April 14, Monday, 18:30 – 21:00 (+ drinks and snacks at Bar Verōnika).

TICKETS

• 300 € – Regular 
• 240 € – Fotografiska Member

Questions? Read our Frequently Asked Questions.