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Elias Neil Benleulmi
France
https://eliasneil.comAfter studying biology and ecology in Canada, and experiencing the professional world (both as an employee and as a freelancer), I decided to attend a photography school. After weeks of research, I chose Spéos for 3 reasons:
- It was considered one of the top 5 photography schools worldwide by several different rankings.
- All of the teachers work or have worked in the field, which gives us a real idea of what we’re in for.
- And, aside from learning how to be a photographer technically (which is what most photography schools do), I also learned how to talk to other professionals of interest (galleries, editors, clients…), how to properly present my portfolio, giving us one of the best possible networks for new graduates.
I’ve always been very happy with my Spéos experience, and I think it was the missing piece of the puzzle I needed, so as to be able to start my photography career with the maximum chance of success. Nowadays, I’m working as a freelance photographer, represented by the agency SIPA PRESS, and also as a nature guide in France and the Arctic.
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Karine Bizard
France
www.karinebizard.comSince photography was a career change for me, Spéos seemed to be the school best suited to provide me with a serious, recognized one-year training. What’s more, Magnum’s mythic DNA has always guided me in the humanism I want to instil in my photography.The intensive teaching, both at Spéos and at the Magnum agency, gave me an extraordinary rhythm to the year.
It helped me to structure and archive my work and to develop my voice. I was also able to understand the keys to the photography market and gain access to competitions and calls for grants.
Indeed, being part of the Spéos family allows you to expand your network and professionalize your practice. I regularly recommend this school to anyone looking for a serious, effective program to become a professional photographer.
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Valentine de Villemeur
France
valentinedevillemeur.comI’ve always been passionate about photography, and after finishing my Master’s in marketing, I knew I wanted to improve on my technique and be able to work in this field, as it was a real passion of mine. As I already did one Master’s, I wanted to find something short and efficient that would push me forward.
Spéos was the perfect solution for me as I was able within only one year to progress on a technical level and to find a personal style that fits me and my creative vision. I particularly enjoyed having professionals coming to the school and talking about their experiences and their jobs: it showed me that there are a lot of ways to work in photography. I’m also grateful for the teachers at Spéos, who have been there to support me and to help me find my voice.
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Laetitia Dumez
France
laetitiadumez.comI’ve always used images as a powerful medium for self-expression. After graduating with a Master’s degree in Art Direction and Graphic Design, I worked in a photo gallery in Paris. This opportunity gave me the initial push to become a photographer.
I wanted to learn the techniques, explore the possibilities of photography and refine my ambitions. Spéos offered everything I was looking for in a condensed training program. Since I wanted to study in English and London appealed to me, I went to Spéos London. After graduation, I stayed for 5 more years.
Thanks to this course, I acquired solid skills and knowledge to start my career. The year at Spéos wasn’t just about studying, it was about meeting my peers and knowing that I could count on the staff for support.
I’m now working as a freelance photographer between Paris and London. My first exhibition will take place at the Spéos Gallery, marking one of my milestones.
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Hortense Giraud
France
hortensegiraud.comAfter studying business and working for several years in various start-ups, I decided to pursue my real passion, photography. So, at the age of 30, I started The Entrepreneurial Photographer in 1 year program at Spéos, specialising in photojournalism.
I’ve never regretted that choice, because the training period was incredible. I learned everything I wanted to know: the different photography techniques, how to develop my own style and also how to find work in this very competitive profession.
Today, I’m a photographer. I take part in artistic residencies, I do workshops with students, I cover events and sometimes I photograph flats too. I like wearing different hats, so I never get bored. I’m proud to have come to this school.
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Shulan Wang
China
shulanwang.netAfter graduating from a Master’s in interior design, I got interested in photography. Spéos is one of the most efficient photography schools for training photographers. I managed to make up for my lack of theoretical and technical knowledge in professional photography in the shortest possible time (I followed the European Master of Professional Photography in 1 year), which provided an indispensable condition for me to explore my personal artistic style in the future.
I am particularly grateful to my teachers, who have given me a lot of help and support in the process of creation. And I also benefited from the image management class a lot.
Spéos offers highly pertinent courses in a very friendly atmosphere. It is with great pride and honor to recommend Spéos to anyone who loves photography and is looking for a professional photography career. -
Corentin Schimel
France
corentinschimel.comDuring my professional transition, I was looking for a short training that would allow me to reinforce my skills in photography and to better understand its ecosystem. After extensive research, the 5-month international program offered by Spéos turned out to be the one that best met my expectations. I was able to learn a lot in only a few months from talented photographers, some of whom have remained friends. Convinced of the quality of the teaching, I then specialized in photojournalism in the second year.
The meetings with the teachers and the students have created a real stimulation. The way of teaching photography at Spéos is very practical and concrete, with an assumed will to integrate the students into the job market. Contrary to other art schools, the teaching was really professional, which corresponded to what I was looking for at this stage of my career. The numerous visits, conferences and exhibitions organized by the school allowed me to quickly project myself and understand the keys to success for certain alumni, while at the same time realizing the difficulties inherent to the profession.
By confirming my choice to work as a photographer, and by giving me the technical and artistic tools and a network to achieve my ambitions, my time at Spéos was a decisive one.
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Jade Leisner
France
www.jadeleisner.comAfter a BTS in fashion and a year spent in London, I decided to enroll at Spéos in the Fashion, Luxury and Beauty Photography. It was important for me to go back to my first desire, which was photography, and to complete my fashion training in order to combine two of my passions.
During the months I spent learning at Spéos, accompanied by professionals in the field, I learned to develop my own style and my own vision of fashion photography.
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Olivier Montay
France
www.oliviermontay.comAfter a long career in banking, I wanted to devote some time to photography. I chose Spéos because I had previously taken many “hobby” type courses and I wanted to go further, with professional learning including not only photographic technique, but also the history of photography, its market and its environment.
This is what I found and really appreciated at Spéos: students do not only learn photography, they learn first of all to become photographers. The few months spent at the school, the interactions with professional speakers, and the students with whom I stayed in contact convinced me to go further. Today, I spend less and less time on my old profession, and more and more towards my activities as a professional photographer. The two are not incompatible, since my former colleagues are the first customers of the photo studio I have created.
Thanks to the basics transmitted by our teachers in the Professional Photography Fundamentals course, I continue to learn, to explore new techniques, and most importantly I now view the world differently with an eye for detail and unusual situations. And it’s much more interesting!
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Hélène-Degrandpré
France
helenedegrandpre.frI had the opportunity to attend the Professional Photography program in 1 year at Spéos in 2016 thanks to a professional re-orientation program (a so-called “congé individuel de formation”).
A self-taught amateur for almost 20 years, I didn’t succeed to make photography my profession previously.The year at Spéos was decisive for me because — beyond the new technical skills I acquired (the equipment and the studios allowed me to explore a lot!) — all the facets and skills of the profession were taught. The exchanges with the teachers, the diversity of the courses, their methods as well as the encounters with the other students in an international context were very enriching for me. At Spéos, I was able to make the difference between amateur photography and a professional approach.
I am now a professional freelance photographer (“auteur photographe”), which allows me to work for organizations in the associative and social sectors, either in photo reportage or in a mobile studio. At the same time, I am developing my personal documentary work. I recommend Spéos to all those who wish to make photography their profession, in all domains of photography and irrespective of the networks they plan to develop.
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Elsa Goudenège
France
www.elsagoudenege.comI started Spéos right after high school and those 2 years taught me a lot. The mix between practice and theory suited me best as a learning method, and the Professional Photography program in 2 years – through its studio and photojournalism courses – gave me sufficient time to hone my skills.
During the training and thanks to the school’s advice and contacts, I was able to get my first professional experiences, confirming the photographic fields I wanted to further explore.
The proximity between the training and the professional world gives us an insight into our future careers. Moreover, the lectures by former students during exhibition openings at the school’s gallery allow for alumni networking opportunities.
After my time at Spéos, followed by a Bachelor in Fine Arts, I am now a freelance photographer in Paris.
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Analía Cid
Argentina
www.analiacid.comWhen I finished my undergraduate studies in sociology in Buenos Aires, I was seduced by the idea of doing a specialization in documentary photography abroad. Although I had a long experience with photography, beginning in my teens, I wanted to obtain a degree that could formalize my accumulated knowledge, while learning new things. At that moment, I heard about the program that Spéos was about to launch in collaboration with the Magnum Photos Agency and decided to sign up for the first ever cohort of the Creative Documentary Course by Magnum Photos & Spéos in 2015. Both the duration of the program (one year) and the language in which it would be taught (English) made it accessible to my possibilities.
The year spent on the program was intense and challenging. The knowledge obtained allowed me to think of myself as a photographer at an international level, giving me tools to perform with excellence in work related to photojournalism and documentary photography. Getting to know Magnum from the inside was a dream come true; at the same time, it raised new questions for me about ethics and respect for the stories I wanted to tell. The discussions with my colleagues, whom I remember fondly, reinforced my commitment to photographic production in Latin America, influencing the projects I carried out when I returned home.
Over the years I can say without hesitation that my experience at Spéos made me a better photographer. Since then, I have been able to publish my work in national and regional media, participate in exhibitions in different parts of the world and be part of far-reaching collective projects, such as the Women Photograph platform and The Journal collective.
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Rajkumar Ranadeva Singh
Inde
www.ranadeva.comAfter studying engineering, I went for a month-long vacation to the Ladakh region of India. During this trip, it occurred to me that I wanted to become a photographer and as I am always inclined to choose the most challenging field, I chose fashion photography!
Why Paris? It is the fashion capital and I was very curious about its artistic reputation. Spéos seemed to me the perfect school, with its Professional photography in 1 year program. Indeed, I wanted to be able to start my career quickly, I was already 26 years old at the time.
Above all, the Visual Identity class set apart Spéos compared to other schools. I owe a lot to this course and its teacher, who helped me find my artistic universe and to develop my already strong sense of detail.
Since October 2012, I am a professional photographer based in Paris. In 2013, I was the finalist for Prix PICTO Jeune Photographie de la Mode.
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Alexandra Uhart
Chile
www.alexandrauhartphotography.comThe unique experience of studying professional photography in Paris is something that I highly recommend to anyone wanting to follow this path. It is an inspiration that will likely last a lifetime, with smartly chosen courses, exhibitions and talks that students are invited to attend, plus a great cultural exchange with photographers from all over the world.
It was a fun learning experience that gave me all necessary tools to create images on the highest technical level. After studying at Spéos in 2010 (I graduated from the program Professional photography in 1 year), I went on to work in London as the Photography Director of a culture magazine.
I currently work and exhibit freelance internationally.
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Marieke Zapasnik
Switzerland – Great Britain
www.mariekezapasnik.comAt my arrival at Spéos, I was already doing photography for about 8 years. But I knew that I needed to push further and deepen my approach, especially in documentary photography. I entered the school because, at the time, except of the school in Arles, Spéos was the only one that had a photojournalism specialization. I followed the Professional photography in 1 year program, specialization photo reportage.
My time at Spéos taught me to get out of my comfort zone. The people I’ve met, teachers and students alike, made my photography evolve, taught me move forward fearlessly.
Today, thanks to this period of my life, I feel more capable to accomplish my projects, to go deeper and to meet others. I’ve also learned that I shouldn’t wait for opportunities to come to me, but to create them, and seize them at the maximum.
I am proud of the 2017 batch, the people that shared my journey and shared paths! -
Louise Cardon de Lichtbuer
Belgium
instagram.com/louise.ca.dl.photoInterested in photography since childhood, the choice to pursue this passion later in life came intuitively. And so, in 2016 I chose to deepen my knowledge at Spéos, enrolling in the Professional Photography in 2 years, specialization photo reportage.
My time at Spéos has taught me all the necessary techniques needed when it comes to professional photography. And just as important, it provided me and my classmates to connect with passionate and skilled people already working in the industry. My work improved a lot and these exchanges, as well as the classes at Spéos, encouraged and guided me to present my photography work for many different contests and grants.
To name some of my personal favorite highlights: receiving the Belgian Journalistic Foundation Grant, and having my work exhibited in Paris, London, Tel-Aviv, Antwerp thanks to the contests I have enrolled in.
The school guides you through all the essential steps needed to start or perfect your skills to become a professional photographer.Today my photography work has evolved, and I shoot mainly portraits and yoga. With the skills I learned at Spéos, I was able to define and develop my personal style and visual identity over the years.
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Elvira Viedma
Spain
instagram.com/elviraviedmaWhile studying Audiovisual Communication in Madrid, I became interested in photography. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by a group of creative friends who were actively participating in the development of Madrid’s alternative cultural scene. Thus, I started documenting what was happening around me with my analog cameras.
After some years, I decided that I needed a change and came to Paris to study at Spéos into the Professional Photography in 1 year. I couldn’t be happier about the choice I made. The school allowed me to meet amazing photographers that would later on become friends and that would also be a great source of inspiration. Assisting the classes at Spéos really pushed me to go forward in my photography. I would go everywhere with my cameras and wouldn’t be afraid to shoot in any kind of situation, always excited to show the results to my classmates and teachers.
Lately I’ve been more focused on my other passion, mainly the organization of concerts, but photography has always been present. As the years have passed, I’ve kept collaborating with other Spéos students, for photography but also for other cultural projects.
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Amir Tikriti
I followed the Fashion Photography program in 2017 with Dominique Issermann. I cannot speak highly enough of her. She was very open with her knowledge, patient, instructive and even invited us into her home for classes. It was an amazing experience!
As a matter of fact, the best part about Spéos was the teachers and faculty. They encouraged us to play and experiment, and they were available to us almost whenever we needed. It was evident that they really cared about their work and wanted us to succeed.In addition, I made some amazing friends at Spéos. I keep in contact with many to this day and they make up the backbone of my life in Paris.
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Raul Guillermo
At my arrival at Spéos, I was already doing photography as a hobby for quite some time. However, I knew that I needed to explore further, especially because I was not sure if I wanted to pursue documentary or fashion photography. I visited the school before enrolling into the Professional Photography in 1 year program and I found it perfect for what I needed. I also liked the idea that you are able to follow classes both in photojournalism and fashion, and for the second part of the program decide to specialize in one. My time in Spéos taught me to open my eyes and embrace the unknown.
All the experiences and people made me evolve in my way of seeing, they taught me to open myself and move forward. Today, thanks to this period of my life, I feel more confident and determined on accomplishing my projects, to go deeper on subjects and to talk about my work easily.
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Habib Dargham
Lebanon
www.habibdargham.comLeaving my family and friends was quite a hard thing to do. Spéos helped me start anew in Paris and understand the system and business of photography in France. Most importantly, Spéos has become like a second family: the friends and the connections I made through the school were the beginning of my career.
The school is an experience for everyone, always up to date in their teaching, and always following up with their students post-graduation. Even though I did the fashion program, this didn’t stop me to expand my knowledge in photojournalism, and Spéos gave me really important advice that helped me win the Grand Prix Paris Match du Photoreportage Étudiant 2021 with my series Le cri d’un silence (“The cry of silence”).
Photography is creation, it’s an art that you can’t learn, it’s an experience and Spéos is here to help you do exactly that.