© Yumeng Yang Guo – Spéos 2021
Please find in the present page a collection of answers to questions most often asked by parents at education fairs and Spéos open days. We are aware and understand the importance of selecting the most suitable school as well as the ensuing questions this may raise for you as parents.
Below each paragraph answering a given question, you will find links that will guide you to other pages on the school website containing additional information on the points discussed.
A question, a hesitation, a doubt? Please make an appointment to discuss and meet with us: we will be delighted to answer your questions!
Phone: +33 (0)1 40 09 18 58
E-mail: info[@]speos.fr
About Spéos
Spéos is one of the key schools in the field of professional photography in France since its creation in 1985. The international and multicultural dimension is at the heart of Spéos. The school welcomes every year about 200 students and counts more than 35 nationalities (including India, China, the United States, Russia, Korea, Latin America, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland…). The alumni network consists of several thousand professional photographers in more than 50 countries.
> Discover the key information on Spéos
> See the location of Spéos Alumni around the world
The Spéos Paris campus is located in the East, in the Bastille / République / Nation triangle of the 11th arrondissement.
- Main address: 8 rue Jules Vallès, 75011 Paris, France – Metro stations Charonne (line 9) and Faidherbe-Chaligny (line 8).
- Spéos L’Annexe: 5 rue Bouvier, 75011 Paris, France – Metro station Rue des Boulets (line 9).
To help you find the best route to the school, you can use:
Spéos is registered with the Rectorat de l’Académie de Paris as a private higher education institution. The school is accredited by the Social Security and confers the student status to its students.
Spéos is also referenced in the Datadock tool and has obtained the Qualiopi certification as a training organization in December 2021.
> See the Spéos accreditations
> Learn more about the alliances and partnerships set up by the school
Spéos has been accredited by the French government with the certified title of Entrepreneurial Photographer RNCP level 6 – code NSF 323 t.
Students enrolled in the European Master of Professional Photography obtain a European Master’s degree certified by E.A.B.H.E.S.
For the other professional photography programs, Spéos delivers a private school certificate as well as transcripts.
The main thing is to prepare for the profession of photographer and to leave the school with real know-how that translates into a professional portfolio and a website.
> Which Spéos program should I choose?
Spéos is a technical vocational school and as such was able to remain open during the entire Covid-19 epidemic. The school has put in place all the necessary means to adapt its pedagogy and organization in order to ensure the continuity of the courses for the students.
> Consult the list of health measures – Covid-19
Choosing Spéos
The pedagogical method at Spéos is essentially centered on practice in real conditions, an essential element of learning. The classes take place in small groups for a personalized approach, allowing the students to develop their style and sensitivity (excellent student/teacher ratio). Students learn to harness their creative energy and bring it to life by understanding the evolution of an initial idea to the final result in images. The school has developed its own teaching method: the Stop-System, a global learning method for controlling light in photography.
The final exam consists of a jury composed of industry professionals, allowing students to present their portfolios and websites. The jury input and feedback help them refine these two representations of their work, reflecting both their personal style and their professionalism.
The major exhibition, which for more than 35 years has taken place every year at the end of May, allows students to present their work to a wide range of image professionals, as well as the general public.
> Discover the students’ works
> See the annual exhibitions at Spéos
In order to cater to client demands and the market evolution, Spéos decided to focus for all of its programs on high-level photographers, who are active in their fields and up to date on the latest trends within the profession.
The students are in continual contact with the industry in order to create their professional network as soon as they graduate. In 2021, nearly 90 lecturers – all of them image professionals – have held a lecture or workshop at the school.
> Discover the Spéos teaching staff
> See the list of professional speakers
Spéos offers its students spacious facilities with top-of-the-range photo equipment available outside of class hours. The school has numerous large studios, all very well equipped: Phase One cameras, Foba column stands, the best brands of flashes, projectors, lights, as well as a large choice of accessories to style each shot. The school’s computer labs are equipped with Apple computers, Eizo calibrated screens and the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Students also have the possibility to borrow photo equipment on a daily basis: the school lends out flash kits, sound kits, video kits and telephoto lenses to work outdoors, evenings and weekends included.
> Learn more about the Spéos facilities (studios, rooms, equipment)
Spéos prepares students for current market demands and accompanies them to become accomplished photographers in the field of their choice. The school offers the opportunity to acquire advanced professional skills and to develop a range of know-how: photographic techniques for indoor and outdoor shoots, development of visual identity, management of a team on set (models, stylists, make-up artists, hairdressers) and within a given time limit.
Spéos knows the importance for photographers to find their niche in an ever-growing market. This is why students can adapt their program and choose a specialization: either photojournalism and reportage, or studio photography – including fashion, advertising and commercial photography. Thanks to the professionals they meet throughout their training, students leave with a professional network facilitating their access to the market.
The most common work sectors are: advertising photographer, portrait photographer, fashion photographer, still life photographer, corporate photographer, architecture photographer, illustration photographer, medical photographer, sports photographer, photojournalist, press photographer, eve,t photographer (weddings, family events), photography assistant, photo editor, retoucher.
The work statuses include: freelance photographer, salaried photographer, company director photographer, fine artist.
> Advertising photographer
> Portrait photographer
> Fashion photographer
> Photojournalist
Spéos graduates have the possibility to work in all photographic domains, from photojournalism to fashion photography, from advertising to still life. The practical programs offered at Spéos provide them with all the necessary skills to be able to work as soon as their studies are over, and often even before!
The school’s alumni are listed in the Spéos online directory.
In order to support and help the graduates to take their first steps as professionals, Spéos has set up the Alumni Care Program which aims at promoting their work worldwide.
The alumni network consists of some 4,000 professional photographers in more than 50 countries.
> See the Spéos Alumni Directory
> Alumni success stories
> Alumni testimonials
> Alumni videos
Spéos participates in education fairs and regularly organizes open days during which you are welcome to discover the school, its classes and studios.
You can also visit Spéos during an individual meeting on site. You will be able to visit the premises and meet the administrative team, who will answer any questions you might have.
It is also possible to discover the school via an online visit during which a member of the team will answer your questions live.
> More information on the page Visits and Contacts pages
> Why choose Spéos
Admissions and Tuition
Applications can be submitted online via the school’s website, throughout the year.
Applicants submit a CV, a letter of motivation, a portfolio of 10 to 15 photos (depending on the program), as well as a certified copy of their diplomas (in particular a copy of their Bachelor’s degree for candidates applying for the European Master of Professional Photography).
Students who aren’t native speakers of either English or French need to have a language level validated by an English or French language test at B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The language requirement needs to be submitted at the beginning of the chosen program.
Applications are reviewed in order of arrival. We pay particular attention to the applicant’s motivation, their understanding of the program objectives, as well as the suitability between the applicant’s professional project and the skills taught in the program chosen.
> Application procedures and practical information
> Apply online
Tuition fees are indicated on our website on each course presentation page, in the “Practical Information” paragraph. Tuition fees can be spread out over time, with payments in several installments according to a pre-established schedule.
Spéos is not in a position to offer scholarships or other financial aid. Nevertheless, some international candidates may obtain financial support from their governments or other institutions in their country of origin (foundations, banks…).
International students
International students coming to Spéos are assisted by the school administration in preparing their arrival in Paris, so as to make the most of their experience in France:
- Accommodation: Spéos sends a list of student dorms and housing agencies to help them find accommodation.
- Visa: Spéos accompanies students in obtaining the validation of their student visa with the French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII).
- Residence permits: Spéos provides assistance with the renewal of residence permits through the Digital Administration for Foreigners in France (ANEF).
- Social Security: Spéos helps students to register online for social security and to pay the student and campus life contribution (CVEC).
- Banking: Spéos facilitates the opening of student bank accounts and negotiates preferential rates.
- Health: Spéos assists students in finding a suitable doctor or get referred to the appropriate medical assistance.
Last but not least, the entire Spéos team is always ready to listen to the students’ various needs, so as to give them as much support during their studies as possible.
> Studying photography in Paris