CSDP FAQ
Q. Who is eligible to apply?
A. To enter you must;
• reside in EMEA
• have either started or completed an education course or internship with an agency or magazine within the academic year 2023-2024; or be nominated/endorsed by a professional from the photographic industry.
Please refer to the T&C's for more details.
Q. Can I apply if I don't live and/or study in Europe, Middle East or Africa (EMEA)?
A. No, it is not possible to apply if you do not both live and study in EMEA. If applying under the internship or endorsed category you must also reside in EMEA. Please refer to the T&C's for the full list of eligible countries.
Q. Can I apply if I have applied or taken part before?
A. Yes, you can apply again if you have applied and/or taken part previously. However, successful applicants who reached the second module of the Programme during the 2022 or 2023 editions and attended the 4-day workshop in Girona and Perpignan, will not be eligible to enter.
Q. Is it possible to apply as a team or group of photographers?
A. No, submissions must be on an individual basis.
Q. Can I apply if I don’t speak English?
A. The official language of the Programme is English. Translation services will not be provided and so an adequate proficiency is needed to benefit from the Programme.
Q. What documentation will I need to provide to verify my eligibility?
A. If selected you will be asked to submit the following documentation:
• an image of your student ID and/or confirmation from your school/university/agency/magazine etc. certifying your enrolment in the academic year 2023-2024
Q. What materials do I need to provide if entering under the endorsed category?
A. In addition to your portfolio you will also need a letter from the industry professional endorsing your application detailing their name, profession, and statement of endorsement/recommendation.
Q. When will I know if I have been selected?
A. Successful applicants will be notified via email by March 29th, 2024.
Q. Who can I contact if I have questions?
A. Please contact us at students@canon-europe.com
Q. How are participants selected?
A. Participants are selected by a panel of Canon representatives and external industry professionals from top media agencies including AFP, EPA, Getty Images, and Reuters.
Submissions will be assessed on narrative skill, authenticity, storyline, bio and overall quality of the portfolio and project proposal.
Q. Is any of the experience online/virtual?
A. Yes, during the first module of the Programme, ’ Portfolio Preparation Mentoring’, successful applicants will be partnered with a professional mentor and take part in three online sessions to work on their portfolio and new project proposal.
Q. If I can’t travel can I take part virtually?
A. No, with exception of the online mentoring sessions as part of the first module ‘Portfolio Preparation Mentoring,’ subsequent activities will require a physical attendance to get the most out of the experience.
Q. If I am selected for the workshop in Girona and Perpignan, can I extend my stay or amend my travel plans? Will Canon pay the relevant expenses?
A. Yes, it is possible to extend your stay. However, any costs that are incurred with regards to transfers, lodging, subsistence for the additional days of stay will not be covered by Canon and will need to be managed and organized by yourself.
Q. Is it possible to submit two separate applications?
A. No, only one application per person may be submitted.
Q. How detailed should the new project proposal be?
A. Your new project proposal should be a maximum one typed page and comprise a comprehensive outline of the story that you wish to cover, why you think it’s important / interesting, together with insights on how you intend to approach it.
Q. Can I submit video within my portfolio?
A. No, currently we only accept digital still images.
Q. How many images can I include in my portfolio?
A. Your portfolio can contain a maximum of two projects, comprising up to 20 images each. Image files should be JPEGS, max 1500 DPI, 2000 px.
Q. Can I include images created using artificial intelligence?
A. No. Images that have been created or manipulated using artificial intelligence are not permitted.
Q. Do I need to include image captions?
A. Yes. All images will need to be duly captioned.
Q. Can I submit additional formats or files as part of my portfolio?
A. Yes. Alongside your portfolio you should also include a personal bio and a description of your project(s) and image captions.
Additional supporting materials may also be submitted such as;
• a letter of recommendation from your School/University/Agency/Magazine or Industry professional
Q. Can I edit/make further changes to my application once submitted?
A. Yes. Following submission of your portfolio you will receive an email with details of where you can log in to review your application and make any adjustments before the entry deadline on 7th March 2024.
Q. Are there any genre restrictions?
A. This programme is primarily focused on supporting those wishing to pursue a career in narrative visual storytelling. The initiative is strongly affiliated with our long-standing partnership with the Visa pour l'Image photojournalism festival, and so most of our participants are aspiring documentary/photojournalist photographers.
Q. What will happen to my submitted images?
A. Images will be used as part of the selection process for the 2024 edition of the Canon Student Development Programme.
Q. Is there anything important I should note before submitting my work?
A. You must be the sole author of your images and owner of all proprietary rights in your photographs.