Taking place in Paris from September 2026 till July 2027, the Creative Documentary Program led by Magnum Photos and the Spéos School of Photography is now taking new applications. Join the 10th cohort and become part of this evolving legacy.
During the nine-month course, Magnum and Spéos objectives are to make you learn all the tools to become a professional photographer. With Spéos, you will be supported by professionals of the field helping you improve your lighting, editing and printing skills as well as helping you understand how photographers’ rights work, how to budget a project etc. Meanwhile, Magnum will focus on making you understand the reality of the profession by meeting Magnum photographers, hearing their stories and the different experiences they encountered. You will learn how to edit and sequence your images, how to receive feedback and how to criticize your peers’ work while discovering what it is like to work on assignments and projects in the field, including on a tight schedule.
Magnum is leading on the creative direction: each participant will develop a personal project during the course, learning by doing how to research, develop and carry out a photostory over several weeks or months.
At the end of the course, you will participate in a group show at the Magnum Paris Gallery for which you will have specially worked for during the year.
Not left alone, you will be supported by Magnum photographers, including the dedicated mentors on the course Antoine d’Agata and Stuart Franklin.
Learn more about the course directly from the 2024-2025 Course by reading this article and listening to the recording session of the Online Open Day here.
“Each photographer is expanding my vision of what is possible, both in the actual photographs but also the scope of what I can do professionally,” – 2022/2023 student.
(To view the full curriculum, visit the Spéos website)
Semester I: 1 day per week at the Magnum Photos Agency
The programme will be divided between practical assignments led by Magnum photographers, and informal meetings with industry professionals. Magnum staff will also share insights on how they work with photographers and present the various departments within Magnum such as commercial & editorial, cultural and gallery.
During the first semester, you will:
– Discover and understand the daily activities of a professional photo agency in general and Magnum Photos in particular
– Learn how to approach editors and commissioning editors
– Work on short assignments designed to teach them the skills of being a professional photographer
Semester II: 1 day per week at the Magnum Photos Agency
The second semester will focus on developing your personal project, getting feedback, editing and sequencing, culminating in the creation of an exhibition.
During the second semester, you will:
– Develop your personal project under the guidance of Magnum photographers: from research to completion.
– Exhibit a part of your personal project during the Collective show at the Magnum Gallery in Paris
Creative Documentary Program by Magnum Photos and Spéos
Titre de Photographe RNCP niveau 6 – code NSF 323 t
Price: €30,950
For enquiries relating to this course please email info@speos.fr.
Click here if you wish to apply online on Spéos website.
