As every year, Spéos will take part in the opening week of the Rencontres d’Arles from July 7 to July 10, 2026.
For this occasion, the school will be present alongside the Union of Professional Photographers (UPP) at the Cour des Podestats, a central meeting place for discussions, networking and exchanges during the festival.
The opening reception will take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 7pm at the Cour des Podestats: come join Spéos and the UPP for a drink to kick off the festivities!
Meet Spéos in Arles
Throughout the opening week, Pierre-Yves Mahé, the school’s president, will welcome you every morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to discuss the professional photography programs offered by Spéos, alongside the portfolio reviews organized by the UPP.
Practical Information
- Location: Cour des Podestats, 3 Plan de la Cour, 13200 Arles
- Dates: July 7–10, 2026
- Hours: 10am to 12pm
Rencontres d’Arles: a major event for photography
Founded in 1970 by Lucien Clergue, Michel Tournier and Jean-Maurice Rouquette, the Rencontres d’Arles has become one of the most important photography festivals in the world.
Every summer, the city of Arles welcomes thousands of photographers, curators, editors, photo editors, gallery owners, collectors and photography enthusiasts who come to discover exhibitions, attend conferences and discuss contemporary issues in photography.
For students and emerging professionals, the festival also offers a unique opportunity to meet industry professionals and present their work.
A longstanding collaboration with the Union of Professional Photographers
For many years, Spéos has maintained close ties with the Union of Professional Photographers (UPP), the leading organization representing professional photographers and visual authors in France.
This relationship regularly takes shape through lectures and workshops given by UPP members at the school. Students are introduced to key aspects of professional photographic practice, including copyright, authors’ rights, contracts, image licensing, professional fees, protection of creative work and industry best practices.
These exchanges help future photographers better understand the legal and economic realities of the profession and prepare them for a successful career in the field.