In September 2026, students enrolled in our 1-year and 2-year professional photography programs will benefit from two major new additions: art direction by Magnum Photos for photo reportage, and a dedicated artificial intelligence module for studio. Two additions that place Spéos exactly where the future of the profession is being shaped.
Photography is changing fast
The tools, the practices, the demands of the market: everything is evolving, sometimes faster than we imagine. At Spéos, we hold a simple conviction: training tomorrow’s photographers means passing on solid fundamentals and actively preparing them for the changes reshaping the profession.
That is precisely what these two new additions are about – additions we are bringing to the second half of our long-format programs starting in September 2026.
In concrete terms, at the very moment when each student chooses their specialization – studio or photo reportage – their curriculum now gains an entirely new dimension of mentorship. For some, the eye and the demanding standards of one of the world’s most prestigious agencies, Magnum Photos. For others, mastery of the tools that are redrawing every image-making profession today.
Here is what awaits you.
Photo reportage: art direction by Magnum Photos
For students specializing in photo reportage, the final art direction of their projects will now be led by the Magnum Photos agency. Five full-day group sessions are planned, during which a Magnum photographer mentors the students, shares their own work, and helps shape their artistic vision.
Two figures from the agency lead these sessions: Patrick Zachmann for the French-speaking groups and Stuart Franklin for the English-speaking groups. Two internationally renowned photographers, two perspectives, two exceptional careers – and the same commitment: bringing a critical, demanding eye to projects as they take shape.
What does this change for a student? Being guided by a Magnum photographer at the decisive moment of building your final project means benefiting from a level of rigor and a culture of the image that you simply won’t find anywhere else. It means learning to edit your work, to defend your choices, to refine an intention. And it also means, quite simply, connecting with one of the most respected institutions in the history of photography – right at the heart of Magnum itself.
For those who dream of telling the world’s stories through images, it’s hard to imagine a more inspiring springboard.
Studio: a new module dedicated to artificial intelligence
The other major addition concerns the studio specialization. The curriculum now includes ten sessions devoted entirely to artificial intelligence. The goal is clear: to enable students to understand, master, and integrate into their professional practice the tools that are profoundly transforming the image-making professions today.
Retouching, image generation and enhancement, task automation, new production workflows: AI is no longer a distant promise – it’s a daily reality in studios, agencies, and newsrooms. Learning to harness these tools means gaining in creativity, in efficiency, and in value on the market.
This module obviously replaces none of the fundamentals Spéos has always taught – light, technique, art direction, a sense of the image. It complements them. The idea is to give every student the keys to stay in command of their tools and to make AI an ally in service of their vision. A genuine asset for approaching the industry’s evolution with confidence and standing out from the very start of their professional life.
Two specializations, one shared ambition
Studio or photo reportage, the message is the same: our programs are growing richer this year, without losing any of what makes Spéos distinctive. On one side, the excellence and heritage of photojournalism with Magnum Photos. On the other, innovation and forward thinking with a cutting-edge AI module. Two paths, two worlds, but one and the same conviction: Spéos students graduate ready for the profession as it is being reinvented.
These additions reflect Spéos’s ongoing commitment to evolving its teaching so that it stays in step with the realities and demands of the image industry. Since its founding, the school has been dedicated to combining the transmission of craft with a clear eye on the future. These two new additions are the most concrete expression of that.
Why now is the right time to join Spéos
If you were still hesitating to take the plunge, here are two more reasons to make your decision.
Joining Spéos in September 2026 means:
- Learning from the best – being mentored by world-renowned Magnum photographers at the key moment of building your projects.
- Training in the tools of tomorrow – integrating artificial intelligence into your practice even before entering the job market.
- Choosing a school that looks ahead – a program that continuously evolves to stay at the forefront of innovation in the photography industry.
To this is added everything that has made Spéos’s strength for years: demanding teaching, working professional instructors, an invaluable network, and personalized support throughout the program.
Places are limited – it’s your move!
These two new additions are open to all of our future long-format students, whichever specialization they choose. But places are limited, and enrollment for the September 2026 intake closes soon.
If photography is your path, don’t miss the chance to train in such an inspiring environment.
The sooner your application is complete, the sooner we can start helping you prepare for your first day.
Discover our professional photography programs and complete your enrollment today!
One-year programs:
> Professional Photography in 1 year
> The Entrepreneurial Photographer in 1 year (RNCP 6)
Two-year programs:
> Professional Photography in 2 years
> The Entrepreneurial Photographer in 2 years (RNCP 6)
A question, a doubt, a project to discuss? Our team is here to talk it through and help you build the path that’s right for you. Get in touch – your place at Spéos is waiting for you.