ATLAS LAB workshop: Beyond Portraiture First-Come, First-Served | Apply by Dec 25, 2025 with Ko Sasaki & Yumi Goto

ATLAS LAB workshop
Beyond Portraiture: Creating Connections Through the Act of Looking
—A Workshop on Expression and Relationships Guided by a Photographer and a Curator
Facilitators: Ko Sasaki & Yumi Goto

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Four Days to Explore and Create Portraits that Capture Human Presence

The exhibition “XEPCOH: A Night in Kherson Under Missile Fire” by Ko Sasaki brought many visitors to the gallery, sparking a range of impressions and conversations.

Many were especially moved by Sasaki’s unwavering commitment to confronting human presence through portraiture, and by the depth of insight revealed through his gaze and the photographic medium.

Wishing to share this approach, way of thinking, and on-site dialogue with more people, we have launched a new portraiture workshop:
ATLAS LAB — Beyond Portraiture: Creating Connections Through the Act of Looking
—A Workshop on Expression and Relationships, led by Ko Sasaki and RPS curator Yumi Goto.

Portraiture is much more than simply depicting a person’s appearance.
Within a single photograph, a subject’s expressions and gestures, the stories and silences behind them, unspoken feelings, and even the spirit of the times can quietly reside.

In this workshop, Sasaki and Goto—who co-organized the exhibition at Reminders Photography Stronghold—draw on their firsthand experiences to provide multifaceted perspectives and hands-on guidance, supporting each participant’s creative journey.

Why portraiture, and why now?
What does it mean to photograph another person?
This workshop is open to anyone who wants to explore their own way of seeing and expressing “human presence,” regardless of experience.

We invite you to join us.
May the questions Sasaki poses through his work, and the lessons learned in practice, inspire and enrich your own project.

We look forward to your application.

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Workshop Content & Approach

Participants will brainstorm as a group, each identifying their own perspective on photographing people, and will conduct research, collect images, and develop their approach to portraiture.

With support from the facilitators, you’ll edit and structure your photographs to explore questions such as “What kind of portrait truly resonates?” and “How can I give presence to my subject in my work?”

Whether you wish to deepen the portrait aspect of an ongoing project or experiment with new ways of depicting people, this program welcomes you. The aim is to broaden your range of expression and put new discoveries into practice in your work.

Throughout these four days, you’ll value the process of trial and error, seeking out a form of portraiture that is truly meaningful for you.

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Overview

Facilitators
Ko Sasaki (Photographer), Yumi Goto (Curator, Reminders Photography Stronghold)

Dates (4 Days Total)
January 31 (Sat), February 1 (Sun), February 14 (Sat), February 15 (Sun), 2026
The workshop takes place over two weekends. Please ensure you are able to attend all dates before applying.

Time
10:00–19:00 (subject to change depending on the day’s progress)

Venue
Reminders Photography Stronghold
2-38-5 Higashimukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo

Fee
General: 55,000 JPY (tax included)
RPS Members: 49,500 JPY (tax included)

Capacity
Approximately 10 participants (first come, first served; registration will close once capacity is reached)
Please note: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. If capacity is reached before the deadline, applications may close early.

Application Deadline
December 25, 2025 (23:59 JST)

Application & Inquiries
atlas-lab@reminders-project.org

Important Notes

• Only those who can attend all dates are eligible to apply.
• Detailed schedules and a list of what to bring will be provided to participants after registration.
• You must be able to bring your own computer for editing and production during the workshop, and have access to any image editing applications you may need (depending on your project, a laptop may not always be required).
• The actual content and structure of the workshop may be adjusted according to the group’s progress.

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Workshop Schedule (4 Days)

DAY 1｜Setting the Foundation: What Makes a Portrait Matter?

• Introductions and sharing your project or interests
• Rethinking portraiture — beyond surface, toward meaning
• Exploring ethical relationships with subjects
• Planning your shooting approach

DAY 2｜Practice: Capturing Presence

• Portrait shoots (individually and/or in groups, possibly off-site)
• Working with light, shadow, and the environment
• Engaging with your subject: communication and ethics
• Image review and feedback

DAY 3｜Editing & Storytelling

• Selecting and sequencing your images
• Discussing what gives portraits impact and resonance
• Experimenting with narrative, pairing, and presentation
• Drafting statements and refining concepts

DAY 4｜Presentation & Review

• Final edits and presentations (exhibition, booklet, online, etc.)
• Next steps for your project
• Group review and feedback with facilitators

Program content and schedule are subject to change based on the needs of the group.

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This workshop is designed to deepen your curiosity and understanding about photographing people, and to inspire new creative directions in your work.
We look forward to seeing what you’ll create — and to sharing the process with you.

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Please submit your application using the form below.
If the form does not appear, please complete your application using this link.

If the form does not appear, please complete your application using this link:https://forms.gle/aqe8pNPc3DqwsMq38

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Sample Works / Published Examples by Ko Sasaki: