“I never felt more enriched, encouraged, and inspired to create and share my work than at Chico. Without a fail or flaw, the entire week felt like a photographically enchanted wonderland. Moving from rich conversations about your practice and the work of your peers, to rejuvenating evening swims in the springs after a hearty and delicious meal, this event is nothing short of remarkable.”

“Chico really felt like the missing piece of my photography practice! It’s a rare occurrence in life to gather with so many people so passionate about the same thing you are. I have never been to an event that kept such an ease and light heartedness while also remaining a serious and professional setting. I came away with new ideas, having met inspiring people I likely wouldn’t have otherwise and a new ideas and directions for my work, and honestly my overall artistic path. What a gift to have been a part of it! ”

“The Chico Review, was truly a before and after moment. ”

“This was undoubtedly a huge financial expenditure for me- the single largest expense I have incurred over 10+ years of photography, but completely worth it!

From the perspective of comparing this to even a semester of higher education in photography, it was quite a bargain for what I feel like I received educationally. And of course the food and accommodations were fantastic. I will hold on to the feedback and motivation that I received at Chico for the rest of my life. ”

“Chico was an amazing experience to share my work with an incredible array of established reviewers but also to build a community with artists from the most diverse walks of life. It is a special place and gathering to grow artistically and meet other kindred spirits. I’m glad I was part of the 2023 cohort.” ”

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An incredible experience, a unique opportunity to share and show one’s work, to photographers, curators, publisher and experts of high international level. The event was organized in detail to allow a constant interchange during the whole week in a friendly atmosphere in the magical setting of Chico Hot Springs. ”

“Leaving my everyday life to attend the mighty and crazy Chico Review was like entering a lucid dream. The input that I received and the creative connections harnessed in the amazing environment of the review (and all the after hours madness) were enough to send me levitating back home, satisfied and with a big smile to get me through the year!”

“Chico Review set me on the exact path I needed to be on to complete the body of work I am currently working on. It was amazing to make connections and learn from so many people with such great insight into creating photobooks. It is a great feeling to be at an event with so many people that share a love for photography and photobooks.”

“Chico Review gives attendees a chance to meet a wide range of photographers from early-career to deeply experienced. Seeing a broad range of work, listening to varied opinions and perspectives, being challenged to understand, all of these inform our practice. Seeing how different publishers take on the art of book making is thought provoking and inspiring.”

“The Chico Review was so moving, motivating, and mind opening. It left me a different photographer than the one I walked in as, and taught me to embrace the vulnerability & discomfort that always comes with sharing personal photo work. It’s really magical and bittersweet to be in a remote place with like minded individuals you likely won’t see all in one place again. But that’s also the beauty of it. The bond coming out of this experience is like no other. I highly recommend this portfolio review to any photographer!”

“Leading up to Chico I was struggling with feeling disconnected from an ongoing photo series, and I had a hard time even looking at my own photos. The week was wonderfully long and filled with reviews, artist talks, panel discussions and social events, all taking place in the most incredible landscape. I left feeling such passion for my work that I hadn’t felt in years and I was repeatedly reminded why I chose photography as my path. ”

“Chico was mind-blowing! Everything from the location, lectures and shared meals facilitated genuine connection within a community of incredible talent and care. A truly unique, seamless experience rooted in expansion, support, and relationship building to help you learn and grow as an artist.”

“Chico Review is an incredibly unique experience, the destination in itself is jaw dropping and inspiring but the relationships and mentorship’s created from just a few days are even more fulfilling because they last a lifetime. There is truly nothing like it, I would not be where I am creatively without my experiences at Chico, year after year I am continuously inspired by the work, conversations and most importantly the people who attend and run Chico Review.
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“The Chico Review week is a once in a lifetime experience. It positively changed the way I view photography and it is where I met my community. This mesmerizing place and the people I met gave me the energy to stick with my photographic practice. ”

“Chico was the summer camp experience I never had except this time it was experienced with an outstanding group of artists. To be afforded the opportunity to bond and converse with such a diverse group of talent was beyond words. From sunup to sundown each day had a full itinerary loaded with rich discussion and much needed relaxation. Traveling to Montana was well worth the trek, I’m incredibly grateful to have had the chance to experience this. ”

“I have never been to an event like Chico before. The location is like nothing else. Being surrounded by the Rockies and the Yellowstone River makes you feel like you’re in a completely other world. The event, reviewers, and participants were genuinely the best I have ever been with, and I know I have made friends for life. The feedback and knowledge I walked away with after that week will serve me and my photography the rest of my career. If I could do it all over again I would without thinking.”

“Chico is a gift to photobook artists. A down-to-earth experience that affords attendees a safe space to share their work. Because each reviewer approached my project differently, I walked away seeing so many varied possibilities moving forward. Plus, I made new photography friends for life!”

“The Chico Review greatly exceeded my expectations. This was my very first time participating in a photography portfolio review and I was initially wary of how my project would be received. I take my photography practice seriously, however I earn my living working as a full-time architect. My apprehension was quickly alleviated because many of the reviewers encouraged me to embrace my architecture background as an important part of cultivating my photographic voice. I left with clear feedback from the reviewers on how to think differently about my work moving forward. My cohort of fellow attendees, whose work was incredibly inspiring, was also very welcoming. I look forward to keeping up with these new connections. The Chico Hot Springs location is excellent, and the area surrounding Pray, MT is incredibly beautiful. I spent my free day photographing around Paradise Valley and in Livingston. I wish that I had added a few additional days to the end of my trip, so that I could have spent more time exploring Montana and making more new work.”

“The quality and honesty of peer and reviewer feedback at Chico is unparalleled! Working as a photographer can at times be a lonely journey. Meeting people whose passion and love of photography at such a high standard is a dream come true. Professionally Chico has been life changing. The honesty and constructive criticism from reviewers has made my body of work stronger. Personally I believe I have made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for creating this event!
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“Chico was a remarkably bright spot in an epically challenging year. It was inspiring and humbling to be in conversation with so many great artists and thinkers in one virtual space. The official programing was amazing, but the community really came together through lively Q&A discussions and peer review sessions. Chico was definitely the best thing to have zoomed into my studio all year!”

“Deeply inspiring two weeks with some of the most wonderful people in the world of photography.”

“The Chico review has been an incredibly rich and thought provoking week of cogent and lucid conversations about photography. The experience has altered my relationship to my work, and most importantly left me inspired and with pathways to move forward.”

“Chico was a transformational experience. Surrounded by exceptional artists and secluded in The tiny town of Pray MT focusing on nothing but beauty and photography. A mind blowing experience that still lingers.”

“The duration and the size of the Charcoal Book Club’s Chico review fosters community and allows for connections that are really unique. The reviewers were fantastic and generous, and it was an amazing opportunity to get to know the attendees and their work. Combine all the inspiring interaction with the incredible setting, and it makes for an unforgettable experience. ”

“Being part of Chico review 2019 was seriously one of the best experience of my life. Not only as an artist but for the incredible qualities of the humans that were part of it. For once in a long time I felt like I belonged somewhere....Afterwards I was selected by Aint-bad annual issue #14, I am in discussion with a publisher from the review for a book project, and had the chance to work with Andrea Modica on a very exciting project!

And that’s just a very short list of all the amazing things that I got out of Chico…I think my week there will continue to resonate for years for my career but also for my feeling of being part of a great photo community! Chico is a must! ”

““My experience at Chico has changed me as a person and as a photographer. It took sometime for the experience to really sink in. I have made friends and colleagues that will last a lifetime. This wasn’t my first or even second portfolio review, but this was my first experience in this setting. The level of work is on point and having it be a juried review helps! It might seem like a lot of money, but it is really worth every penny. “”

“The profound beauty of the landscape where we attendees (from all different parts of the world) were gathered, unified us as a group which supported conversations and exchanges that were meaningful. It was an all encompassing experience with inspiring talks, dinners with great conversations, provocative, memorable, helpful and thoughtful reviews, happy hour, time to make work and even to jump into the hot baths- it was more like a retreat than a portfolio review, all surrounded by an amazing, bucolic landscape. I would definitely return.”

“I had an incredible week at Chico and I so enjoyed being a part of the review. I met so many great people and felt privileged to be in a group that was so unabashedly interested in photography. I was inspired by the work and words of peers and reviewers alike. The insightful criticism I received opened some personal paths that I hadn’t considered before. I am, in all honesty still not sure what to do with it all but I am glad for the experience, the friendships and the open venue Charcoal Book Club created in Chico. ”

“Attending the Charcoal Book Club’s Chico Review was a once in a lifetime experience. Being in Montana is extremely humbling, and to then be in the presence of incredible artists for a week eating together and unwinding in the hot spring is really inexplicable. The relationships I made in Chico will last for years to come. I’d recommend this opportunity to anyone who receives it!”

“Freshly out of college and confused about what I wanted, I found strong connections and shared passions with my reviewers. I also received an enormous amount of information and feedback about what paths I could pursue. I realized that I had a lot of work left to do before I would see results, but finding a goal to work towards is a great start and Chico gave me that.
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“The portfolio review gave me insight into the thought process of respected photo editors and art directors, and provided a splash of what visual creatives need most yet rarely get: fresh, critical eyes on their work. And the Chico atmosphere has a clarity that accommodates this.
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“As a result of attending the portfolio review my work has been nominated for the Magnum Photos Graduate Award at Photo London. It was a great boost in terms of making contacts and getting the work in front of the right people.
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“I was lucky to have been among the first attendees of the Chico Hot Springs Portfolio Review. The thoughtful discussions we began years ago have continued among us to this day. It was an intimate and invaluable opportunity to meet inspiring people within an ideal landscape.”

“Chico gave me the opportunity to grow immensely. I was able to learn in a safe environment from peers and professionals alike, while still being incredibly challenged in new areas. It was one of the most pivotal learning opportunities in my career that I still draw from 7 months later.””