Canon Student Development Program

The program offers students from Europe, the Middle East and Africa the incredible opportunity to meet leading industry professionals, attend key industry events and have their portfolios professionally appraised.

Submissions will be judged by a panel of editors from Getty Images, Reuters, AFP and EPA.

The selected 100 students are brought together with expert mentors to discuss their current work and longer-term career plans in one-on-one meetings. In September, up to 30 students will be invited to a five-day Canon workshop in a Catalan farmhouse in Girona (Spain), culminating in the international photojournalism festival Visa pour l'Image in Perpignan (France). The workshop will offer an opportunity to exchange ideas and build relationships with renowned professionals from the world of photography such as award-winning photojournalist Brent Stirton, Fiona Shields, Head of Photography at The Guardian, and Lars Lindemann, Director of Photography at Germany's GEO Magazine. Portfolio reviews offer students the opportunity to assess the work of their fellow students and receive professional feedback on their own work. Canon Ambassador Paolo Verzone will also give attendees a master class on lighting.

In addition to visiting the most important exhibitions and evening screenings as part of Visa pour l'Image, students also have the opportunity to take part in additional portfolio reviews and further expand their network. After refining their portfolio and learning how to present their work, a group of five mentees are given the opportunity to take part in the portfolio review in Hamburg. During the three-day trip, students will be able to take part in individual portfolio reviews and a series of exclusive media appointments with key industry editors. Each participant will also receive a grant of 2,000 euros and Canon equipment to support their next creative project.