FotoFocus is announcing “Photo-Economics,” an all-day event on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Lightborne Studios (212 E 14th Street) in Cincinnati.

The event will delve into the industrial history of photography and its role in shaping social narratives.

“The FotoFocus symposium and biennial themes always address some essential aspect of photography while at the same time exploring how that aspect functions in the larger human sphere,” says Kevin Moore, Artistic Director and Curator at FotoFocus. “Photo-Economics is about the resources of photography–what photography is materially, what it’s actually made of–and the impact on people’s lives that inevitably arise over competition for those material resources.”

The guest lineup includes leading voices, such as artists Mitch Epstein, Katy Grannan, Alison Rossiter, and Lauren Bon, as well as scholars such as Robert Slifkin, Monica Bravo, Lee Ann Daffner, and Benjamin Young. They will each explore aspects of photography’s role in systems of global industrialization and distribution, including the impacts of these realities on social and political systems.

The morning session begins at 10 a.m. The keynote conversation at 4:30 p.m. will feature leading American photographer Mitch Epstein and NYU professor Robert Slifkin. They will elaborate upon the themes of the day, offering a deeper look at the medium of photography against the backdrop of labor and political struggles.

The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Those interested can register here. For more information, please visit fotofocus.org.

A reception following the symposium will feature live music from local band Red Cedars., 6-8 p.m.