When I was still studying at the photo academy and was looking for the publisher in the book ‘Geography of Abandonment’ by Raymond Meeks, I stumbled upon the name of a small publishing house in Italy, Origini Edizioni to be precise. I discovered that they had published a beautiful collection of handmade photo books, and I immediately became a big fan.

I started following them on Instagram, and the bookbinder Eugenia Koval regularly posted mesmerizing videos of her craft.
I hoped to one day get the chance to go there to see how they work and to show them my work.

And last week I returned from my trip to Livorno (Italy) after spending four long days in their atelier. Along with a group of a total of 12 people, under the guidance of Ilias Geordgiadis, Matilde Vittoria Laricchia, and Eugenia Koval, we worked during our Masterclass, on the most beautiful book dummies and were filled with knowledge, design, and techniques.

What an overwhelming experience that was. A Masterclass I won’t soon forget.

I was a bit hesitant at first because I was actually very tired before I left, but thanks to the wonderful group of people, I regained so much energy that it ended up doing me a lot of good. Full of new courage and inspiration, I am now brimming with ideas for my second book.

I forgot who took the photo. But we are looking at the beautiful work of Jennifer Baron (The Netherlands)

Eugenia working her magic on a very old book I got from my father for my eighteenth birthday.

A Turkish fold made of some new work I shot just before I left to Italy. For me it is an experiment to see my work in a different form.