For photographers and visual storytellers seeking depth over noise
Join a Global Community of Creatives Who Read, Reflect & Grow Together.
Monthly book discussions, photobook deep-dives, and portfolio critiques, that sharpen your vision and deepen your craft.
Free. No obligations.
Join 200+ Creatives | Members from 23 countries | 16 sessions hosted | Featured guests include Sean Tucker, Bryan Schutmaat, Pie Aerts and more.
STOP CONSUMING PHOTOGRAPHY ALONE
NEXT MEET-UP DATES:
FEB 7 2026
Photo Critique - Grant Swinbourne
FEB 21 2026
Book Review - Show Your Work (Austin Kleon)
Who This Is For:
Photographers and visual creatives who want depth over noise, and care about meaning as much as craft.
Those early in their journey who feel unsure of their style, overwhelmed by comparison, or quietly wondering how to move forward.
Creatives who have been making work for a while but feel stuck, inconsistent, or unclear about their direction.
Technically capable photographers whose images feel emotionally flat or overthought, and who want to trust their eye more.
People who believe creativity grows through conversation, reflection, and shared learning, not isolation.
Visual storytellers interested in the why behind the work - intention, ethics, responsibility, and human connection.
Anyone craving a calmer, more grounded relationship with photography, away from trends, algorithms, and quick fixes.
How It Works:
Book Review – Once a month we meet online to discuss a chosen book. Expect a mix of guided prompts, group conversation, and insights you can carry into your own creative journey.
Photobook Review – Each month we also explore a selected photobook, diving into the artist’s vision, narrative flow, sequencing, and technique.
Photo Critique – In select sessions, one member presents their project, portfolio or any body of work for constructive critique, guided by me and enriched by the group’s reflections.
All events are hosted online, details of which you’ll find when you sign up - no cost, no contracts, no obligations, just space for like-minded creatives to shoot the shit for an hour or so a month.
Why Join?
This is more of a community than anything else. It isn’t just about reading — it’s about connecting with others, seeing differently, and fueling your own creative practice with new ideas and perspectives.
A space where your questions matter.
No performance required, just presence.
What People Are Saying
“Voice Alchemy book club has provided me something that I miss where I am living is to talk with people from around the world. It is always fulfilling to learn from people with different perspectives. Having authors of the book like Sean Tucker gives another valuable addition to this book club. I got to know things about Sean in real time about his background and his ideas behind his book, that would not be possible otherwise. It has truly become a crucial monthly source of creativity. A great access to great minds.”
– Rudransh Nagi“It’s a wonderful way to connect with like-minded people, and I’m especially grateful for Matt bringing these guests into our lives, people I probably wouldn’t otherwise get the chance to speak to and ask questions of. I’m not a photographer, but I used to work as a graphic designer and still do it for fun or for friends. I like creating, and I love books.
It is also very meaningful to see others being vulnerable during the meet ups. It helps me remember that we’re all just one and that we love anything creative and mindful. That’s what life is about, really. Creating. So thank you for creating this book club and for showing me a world I didn’t know yet. I’m looking forward to many more occasions, books, and photobooks.”
– Annamaria Surla“Since joining Matt Jacob’s book club, I’ve discovered a part of myself waiting to emerge. We don’t just read and review books; we also explore stunning photo books by great photographers, critique other photographers work, and share thoughts and insights that deepen our understanding and spark new ideas. This is the community everyone should want to be part of - a space of inspiration and connection that awakens you from within.”
– Ennah La Neve“Matt’s online photobookclub, joined by people from all over the world, is an incredible space to listen, share and learn more about different books on photography. He’s managed to create a place of knowledge, curiosity, openness, generosity and diversity, where you can share and learn with an amazing group of creative people.
I’ve learned the art of pairing photos and also to see, to express and to communicate more skillfully what I see. I love the photobookclub and I’m so grateful for being a part of this!”
– Karla Ciccerone
“Matt Jacob’s photography book club is for people who are looking for depth, meaning, and intention in photography. Rather than focusing on technique alone, the sessions explore mindset, storytelling, and the “why” behind an image. Matt introduces thoughtful photographers and creates space for genuine conversation, reflection, and learning. For me, it has been a truly inspiring and enriching experience.”
– Elias Derksen"Matt, besides being an amazing photographer himself, is pushing the boundaries of what photography can be-moving it from a solitary practice to a global community of photographers who are seeking more than the "perfect shot." His book club cuts through the noise of lifeless photography and brings us back to its deeper meaning, encouraging us to dig further and think more intentionally.
I've truly enjoyed reading the books, sharing feedback, connecting with other talented photographers, and building genuine community. I'm deeply grateful for what Matt has created, especially at such an important moment in our society."
– Lina Oliveros
“Wonderful…a must for any photographer on an artistic journey. Matt thoughtfully guides us through book discussions that explore themes of creativity, art, and the meaning of our work. You’ll not want to miss out on valuable discussion and takeaways from Photobook reviews and portfolio sharing. Best of all, the participants are photographer folk from around the world who bring their unique perspectives to the table.”
– Karen Palmer