Exercises in Words + Pictures
an interactive online workshop to stretch your creative muscles
enrolling now - starts 6th September 2026
Expand the possibilities of story-telling and meaning-making.
What comes first, chicken or the egg words or pictures?
The answer might surprise you.
In this workshop, we will explore the powerful ways image and text can co-exist within single piece or a body of work. We will look at how the words we use affect the way we read photographs - and vice versa. You'll play, experiment, get inspired and steal like an artist, before starting to develop your own approach and creating a mini-series.
"I haven't felt that creative and free in my art for such a long time. And now the ideas in my head won't stop. The community and the room that Antonina held for us were amazing. There was so much connection, vulnerability and humor. I highly recommend this course for everyone, not only photographers or artists."
>> SAMANTHA FREINBICHLER-KALLABIS
Feeling creatively stuck?
I was, too.
After over a decade as a documentary and family photographer, I no longer felt inspired. I seriously wondered if I’d ever pick my camera up again (spoiler alert: I did).
So I began experimenting, and doing things I haven't done before. That brought the joy back, the thrill of being a beginner again - something I've not felt since I started my photography journey back in 2006.
And increasingly, it was working with image and text that I was drawn to the most - not as a way to necessarily clarify the image, but as a way to experiment, to subvert meaning, to play in the dimension(s) beyond the image's four corners.
Antonina Mamzenko, (un)masking (2022) zine
"Strictly speaking, one never understands anything from a photograph."
SUSAN SONTAG
This workshop is for you whether you're a practicing or a lapsed artist, have decades of experience or just starting out, run a creative business, make your art around the kids, or are a weird mishmash of all the above (as am I).
Words+Pictures by Christina Hardcastle, created during the workshop
Words+Pictures by Julia Forsman, created during the workshop
Words+Pictures by Julia Forsman, created during the workshop
This workshop is actually not about words, or pictures (well, not really - oops!).
It's about stepping outside of your comfort zone.
It's about forgetting about all the rules and ditching any notion of perfection.
It's about the process, not the end result.
It's about curiosity and the spirit of inquiry.
But most of all, it's about reclaiming your creativity.
It's about making time for yourself and your art when the world demands that you don't.
You'll be taken to Stripe to complete the payment with a debit or credit card. If you require a different payment method or a payment plan, please get in touch.
"Completely unlike any formal crits or feedback sessions I've been to before, what emerged in the group was a beautiful space where we could be vulnerable with each other, to share the origins of the work (all of which was deeply personal and relevant to the moment we find ourselves in collectively) and to be held in that in such a genuinely care-full way. It felt like a deep honour to come to that space each week and to witness these things in each other, as well as inspiring on a creative level."
>> MELODY VAUGHAN
Here's what you'll find inside:
- six carefully curated modules chock-full of food for thought, references and inspiration;
- introductions to many different artists and approaches;
-
references and inspiration that can feed into your future personal projects and/or professional practice;
- assignments and prompts designed to stretch your creative muscles and encourage your to step out of your comfort zone - all while remaining manageable even for the busiest of us;
- a space to experiment and play without the pressure to be perfect;
- built-in accountability to actually show up for yourself and your art;
- thoughtful discussions about art- and meaning-making with like-minded peers.
You'll be taken to Stripe to complete the payment with a debit or credit card. If you require a different payment method or a payment plan, please get in touch.
"The problem with the visual is that it appears to announce its limitations as soon as we glance at it. We become trapped in the fixity of our own position: we assume the story begins and ends within the image’s four corners."
LOLA OLUFEMI
"Antonina created such a supportive atmosphere for creativity and thoughtful sharing, and I really cherished the conversations around our work. I’d been struggling to start reflecting on the themes in my photography and this class was a perfect unblocker."
>> JULIA FORSMAN
Workshop schedule:
We start on 6th September 2026 when the first introductory assignment is released (there is no roundtable that day).
Starting from 13th September will then gather six times on Zoom, on Sunday evenings 7-8.30pm BST (UK time). These roundtables are a chance to reflect on that week's material, share work created in response to the assignments, exchange ideas and offer feedback to each other.
The dates for roundtables are as follows:
13th September, 20th September, 27th September
4th October, 11th October, 18th October.
All roundtables will be recorded, so if you miss one or two it's not a big deal (I recommend still making work and sending it in even if you can't make it).
Investment:
This 6 week workshop is £395. An option to pay in instalments is available, please email me to set it up.
You'll be taken to Stripe to complete the payment with a debit or credit card. If you require a different payment method, please get in touch.
Scholarship Place
One lower fee scholarship place is available in every run of Words+Pictures. The scholarship place is offered to those who are struggling financially, in particular those from marginalised communities, those living with disability and single parents. I ask that you don't use this space if it is simply your preference to pay less, or the issue is one of cashflow (i.e. you will eventually have the funds). In that case, I ask that you utilise the instalment option. To enquire about scholarship place availability, please email me.
I’m offering it not because my experience and expertise are not worth the full price, or because I don’t need to earn money from my work - as a working artist and a single parent I very much do. I’m offering this as a small act of resistance against the capitalist norms that tells us that some people are more worthy of support than others.
And, in the spirit of gift economy and generalised reciprocity, if you are able to pay more, or can support someone else's spot on the workshop, I invite you to do so. Please let me know and I'll set it up.
Here are just some of the exciting first drafts that came out of this workshop:
Words+Pictures by Samantha Freinbichler-Kallabis, created during the workshop
Words+Pictures by Tiffany Arntson, created during the workshop
Words+Pictures by Christina Hardcastle, created during the workshop
Words+Pictures by Claire Arnstein, created during the workshop
"This course really challenged me to create something meaningful for myself and start a personal project. It was so inspiring. Antonina’s care and insight made me feel supported, even though I was out of my comfort zone. I definitely recommend this course especially for anyone who needs a creative spark or just wants to try something fun!"
>> WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT
Hi, I’m Antonina.
I’m am award-winning photographer. An artist. An educator. A storyteller. A recovering lawyer. A reformed marketing executive. An activist. A writer. And an imperfect, multi-passionate human.
I have been working as a photographer and sustaining my own creative practice and projects since 2009, and helping other photographers and artists do the same through individual and group mentoring since 2019 both on my own and as Made for Documentary co-founder.
My mentoring work is driven by love, curiosity and unschooling approaches, underwritten by neurodivergence, and brings together all my varied lived and professional experiences. When working with me, expect to be challenged and supported in equal measure - but also respected as a complicated, multifaceted human being.
I can't wait to get to work with you!
"Words and Pictures helped me get started on a series of creative mini-projects, which in turn motivated me to keep dedicating time to my personal work. I would highly recommend!"
>> CLAIRE ARNSTEIN
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for everyone. I mean it. Whether you're a photographer, an artist, a writer, or call yourself neither of those things (maybe you're a lawyer or a car mechanic in your day job but moonlight as a secret poet!) - everyone will benefit from stretching their creative muscles in this workshop. There is rich learning to be had in exchange of ideas from different backgrounds and disciplines.
Who is this workshop NOT for?
My aim is to offer an inclusive and safe space for people. So this workshop is NOT for you if you are racist, ableist, ageist, Islamophobic, antisemitic, homophobic, transphobic, or believe that bombing kids constitutes self-defence… you get the idea. We also won’t be using generative AI - like at all. Human intelligence, creativity and imagination only. Read my full AI policy here.
What if I hate writing / am dyslexic / can't take a good picture to save my life?
One thing you need to know about Exercises in Words and Pictures is that we won't do perfection here. This class is about process - not so much the result (although we celebrate the results, too). We also won't be writing project statements or writing conventional captions. We are ok with spelling mistakes or English being your second/third/forth language. You can work with images that aren't your own, or borrow words from someone else, use your iPhone camera roll, or dig into your archive.
How much time will I need to dedicate to this workshop each week?
Every week on Sunday evening you will receive a "lesson" that consists of some food for thought and examples and references from various artists working with image and text. You will also receive an assignment to complete. I recommend reading the materials as soon as you receive them, so that the information has time to slosh around in your head and ideas on how to approach the assignment form. Then it's completely up to you how much time you spend creating - I've had people panic-making something with 30 minutes to go before the call and producing great results. A deadline and letting go of perfection can do wonders!
What are the timings for the roundtables?
Roundtables take place on Sunday evenings, 7-8.30pm UK time. The dates are as follows: 13th September, 20th September, 27th September, 4th October, 11th October, 18th October.
What if I have to miss a roundtable or two?
All calls will be recorded so you can catch up on what you miss if life gets life-ing. Even if you have to miss a roundtable, I still encourage you to make work in response to assignments and send it in, so we can discuss it and offer reflections which you can then watch on replay.
Do I get to keep the materials?
Yes. Lessons are emailed to you as PDFs that you can keep and refer to even after the workshop is over.
How many spots are available?
Each round of Exercises in Words and Pictures is limited to 6-8 participants to ensure spacious experience and room for sharing and exploration.
What if I change my mind?
You can get a full refund (minus Stripe processing fees) if you have to drop out prior to starting this workshop. Once the workshop started, the fee is non-refundable.
I have more questions!
Just drop me an email on hello@mamzenko.com. I'm looking forward to connecting with you.