CANON STUDENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME 2024

Applications for the 2024 programme are now closed. Sign up to receive the latest updates, discover this year’s finalists and hear when 2025 applications will open.
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Canon Student Development Programme Overview

The programme offers aspiring photographers from across Europe, Middle East and Africa an incredible opportunity to meet leading industry experts and have their portfolio professionally assessed.

  • Mentorships

    Up to 100 applicants, selected by editors from top media agencies including AFP, EPA, Getty Images and Reuters, will receive 1-2-1 mentorships.

  • Exclusive workshop

    The top 25 students will be invited to a career-defining 4-day workshop in Girona, Spain.

  • Visa pour l’Image

    After the workshop, the students will attend Visa pour l’Image, the international festival of photojournalism in Perpignan, France.

  • Prestigious prizes

    3 students will be awarded a €2k grant and Canon equipment to produce a new project.

Entry Criteria

  • APPLICATION

    Who can apply

    To enter, you must be at least 18 on 7th March 2024 and either a student, intern, or have completed your course in the 2023-24 academic year.

  • PARTICIPATION

    Not at university?

    A limited number or places are available for participants nominated by the industry, regardless of where they are in their education journey.

  • COMMUNICATION

    Official language

    Although the programme is open to anyone in the EMEA regions, participants will need adequate proficiency in English to take part.

  • GENRE

    Type of photography

    Your portfolio should be within the genre of photojournalism and (or) documentary photography.

Essential Information

Essential information about, how to apply, what you can get out of the programme and more.
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SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT

Portfolio and Grant Submissions

Your submission must include both an existing portfolio and a proposal for a new project. Portfolios can contain a maximum of two recent stories, comprising up to 20 images each, plus a supporting description, image captions and a personal bio.

MODULE 1: 22ND APRIL - 31ST MAY

Mentoring

Up to 100 students will receive three online sessions with a professional mentor who will offer tailored insights and guidance on refining their portfolio and future project proposal.

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MODULE 2: 31ST AUGUST – 4TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Workshop

25 students will be invited to a prestigious 4-day workshop in Girona, Spain. Students take part in hosted practical sessions, portfolio reviews and talks by top photographers, videographers and editors.

VISA

Visa pour l’Image

After the workshop students will have the chance to visit Visa pour l’Image, the international festival of photojournalism in Perpignan, France, and participate in hosted exhibition tours.

Canon Camera
Canon Camera

LONG-TERM SUPPORT

Grants and Gear

The final 3 will receive a €2k grant and Canon kit to produce their proposed project.

FAQs

Do you have a question about the programme? Check out our FAQs here

Meet the Mentors for the 2024 Programme

  • Aïda Muluneh

    Photographer, Filmmaker, Curator, Canon Ambassador

  • Aline Deschamps

    Photographer, Middle East Images, Canon Ambassador

  • Ana Palacios

    Visual Journalist

  • Anastasia Hermann

    Photo Director, MARE

  • Anush Babajanyan

    Photographer, VII Photo Agency, National Geographic Explorer

  • Carla Rosorius

    Director of Photography, GEO

  • Catalina Martin-Chico

    Photographer, Panos Pictures

  • Chiara Negrello

    Photographer, Canon Ambassador

  • Christian Gogolin

    Photo Editor, GEO

  • Daniel Etter

    Photographer, Canon Ambassador

  • Evgenia Arbugaeva

    Phtographer, Canon Ambassador

  • Fabio Bucciarelli

    Photographer, Canon Ambassador

2023 Highlights

Check out what last year’s alumni got up to
Canon Future Focus

Canon Future Focus

The student programme focused on making you a professional. Join the community to hear about upcoming activities launching later this year.

Related Articles

From inspirational exhibitions and revealing talks to product demonstrations and more, here you will find all the best Canon-related stories from the Perpignan event.

  • ARTICLE

    How to pitch to photo editors – insider tips

    Want to get published? Three professional photo editors reveal the dos and don'ts of successful story pitching.

  • EVENTS

    Experts share how to impress with your photography portfolio

    A top magazine editor provides her tips on preparing the perfect photography portfolio, from the images you choose to the design of the portfolio itself.

  • EVENTS

    Students’ views on the future of photojournalism

    The next generation of photojournalists met Magnum photographers at Visa pour l’Image and shared their hopes and plans for their futures.

  • Events

    Pro business advice for breaking into photojournalism

    Leading photojournalists and photo editors share their tips for making a career in the industry.

  • STUDENT

    How to keep audiences captivated

    How does photojournalism tell a story, and how can you create dynamic stories? Leading experts share their know-how.

  • Events

    How important is video to a future photojournalist?

    With demand for video ever growing, how do the next generation of photojournalists feel about its creative uses and their ability to shoot it?

  • ARTICLE

    Photojournalists debate: what's keeping women out?

    At the Visa Pour l’Image photojournalism festival, three Canon Female Photojournalist Award winners discuss the barriers women face.

  • Events

    When subjects become the storytellers: Unfiltered

    How Canon and the ICRC's Unfiltered project gives people in unstable areas the tools and training to tell their own stories through photography.

  • EVENTS

    Students' views on the future of photojournalism

    How the next generation of photojournalists learnt from working professionals at Visa pour l'Image 2018.

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