Introducing the 2024 finalists of the Canon Student Development Programme

Every year, up-and-coming photographers have the opportunity to partake in a journey that will propel their photojournalism careers. The Canon Student Development Programme (CSDP) serves as a gateway into the competitive and challenging realm of documentary photography. From mentorships with industry legends, to hands-on advice, and the chance to forge career-defining relationships, the programme exists to nurture talented photographers of tomorrow.

100 Students from across the EMEA region were granted the exclusive opportunity to take part in the 2024 Programme, the eighth consecutive edition of the Canon Student Development Programme.

Each participant was partnered with a professional mentor during the summer, who supported them in refining their presentation portfolio. These mentors included big names in the industry from French Magnum Photographer Jérôme Sessini to Yagazie Emezi, Nigerian artist and self-taught photojournalist.

The top 25 students were then invited to take part in a four-day workshop. This entailed practical photography sessions on such things as lighting techniques, as well as portfolio reviews, guided exhibition tours, and lectures on various photography related topics. These included the impact of AI on photojournalism, to communicating grief and memory through imagery. Students had the opportunity to showcase work and gain feedback from international experts from the photography community during both group and 1-2-1 sessions. These four days also afforded the students networking opportunities to talk with renowned photographers, gaining insight into their own journeys.

They then attended Visa pour l’Image, the Festival of Photojournalism in Perpignan, France, which culminated in a closing dinner and screening, during which the three finalists of 2024 were announced: Eleni Albarosa, Emeline Sauser, and Simona Supino. Each finalist was awarded a €2,000 grant and Canon equipment – an EOS R5 camera and RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens – to help carry out the photography project they had proposed as part of their submission to the programme.

For a photographer in the early part of their career, this kind of opportunity is invaluable.

Finalist Eleni describes the experience as “truly inspiring”. Speaking about the role of mentors on the programme, Eleni says: “through the pictures, this person is seeing something in me, they’re pushing me”. She commends the efforts from the mentors in challenging her whilst teaching, in order to help her become a better photographer.

Following the programme, the finalists were also invited to the 2024 Hamburg Portfolio Review. For this, three additional students were also granted a place to attend: Aubin Mukoni from DRC, and Maria HøyHansen and Thea Tønnesvang, both from Denmark.

Here’s what Eleni, Emeline and Simona had to say about the programme and how it has shaped them as photographers.

Which photographers do you take inspiration from and why?
My mentor has been Nico Sakonomopoulos. I did a workshop with him, and it changed so much. He’s not a person that will tell you to work like him, but he’ll support you to become as visual as you can in your own way. I really respect him. I’m also totally in love with the work of Koudelka.

What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
Be honest and be yourself. It’s also important to be professional – understand the requests being made and fulfill them. Even if something takes you out of your comfort zone, take up the challenge. You never know what it could lead to.

How did you find working with the EOS R5 and the lens?
My first thought was how much lighter this camera is compared to my last one. I wanted to buy this camera. So, honestly, I can't wait to use it!

Where would you like to be in 1, 3 and 5 years’ time?
Larry Towel is one of my favorite photographers. His work changed my life. I don't have the expectation to change the life of everyone, or even anyone, but I think that would be nice. I don't want to do photography just for doing photography and for earning money, but I would like to have the opportunity to tell stories that deserve to be told, to share these with people and to be paid for this. That's the dream.

My hope is to be more organized and to find the time to photograph. But also to go to festivals, to show my work, to do portfolio reviews and all the other things that I never did until now.

This programme has given me the tools. So, it's time I put myself in the chair and study. For example, learning how to do a pitch, how to present my work and things like that.

Which photographers do you take inspiration from and why?
Evgenia Arbugaeva. Her photography shows a sense of the connection between dreams and reality. There’s a child-like sense to her work too. She was born in Sibera and has taken many photos there, capturing the history. There’s a real tenderness to her work and I love the feelings she portrays. There’s something magical about it.

I also love Bieke Depoorter, a Magnum Photographer. She undertook a fascinating project called Ou Menya (which means "with you" in Russian). She took a train and every at every station she’d stop and ask people if she could sleep at their home just for one night and take one photo of them.

It's kind of travel photography, but it's really intimate and you can see the true emotion of people. This is really inspiring. I think the relationship she created between them and her is fascinating. People really trust her.

What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
Aside from getting as much sleep as possible before the programme begins, I’d say there’s a real value in printing your photography. It makes a big difference when showing people your work.

The whole process goes so fast, you’re never really prepared for what’s going to happen, so go with an open mind. You’ll be wowed by everything that comes out of the programme.

How did you find working with the EOS R5 and the lens?
When I tried it, I was really surprised at its light weight. It seems like it would be easy to hold in one hand when shooting.

Where would you like to be in 1, 3 and 5 years’ time?
The ultimate goal one day is to do a big exhibition. On every wall of the exhibition, there would be the story of someone I’ve met. Imagine a big room with many corridors, and on every wall you could stop and there would be stories of people with writing and photography. Like its own world, a unique atmosphere. People would stay for hours.

Which photographers do you take inspiration from and why?
I have two. One is Jason Eskenazi because of his ability to capture the complexity and nostalgia of life in post-Soviet countries, which he documented in his project Wonderland. His approach to photography, blending raw reality with poetic storytelling, offers a unique insight into the lives of people on the edge of historical change. I'm fascinated by how he creates visual narratives that are both universal and deeply personal. His work expresses subtle emotions and often leaves the viewer with questions rather than offering simple answers.

Anush Babajanyan inspires me primarily through her commitment to documenting life in often-overlooked regions, such as the South Caucasus and post-Soviet areas. Her photographs highlight human strength and resilience, which aligns with my own approach to capturing life in difficult conditions and in the face of conflict. I am especially inspired by how she manages to find deep, emotional stories within broader socio-political contexts, while still focusing on individual experiences and fates. This combination of empathy and raw reality in her work resonates with my own creative ambitions.

What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
Anyone thinking about it should definitely apply for the programme. It’s the best thing that could happen for your professional career.

It would also be good to think about the deeper meaning behind your work. Why do you do what you do? Why is it important for you? And why is it important for the world? That will inform your experience and how you navigate throughout the programme.

How did you find working with the EOS R5 and the lens?
My initial reaction using this camera for the first time was "I’m in love." The autofocus speed is incredible. You can also turn off the sound of the shutter, which is great for interviews or generally shooting in public. The images look great, almost as if they’re already edited. It’s super easy to work with.

Where would you like to be in 1, 3 and 5 years’ time?
I want to be in a position where I’m able to tell the stories that are important. It’s one thing to work on assignments given to you, but it’s totally different to create work that really means something to you.

Working for a newspaper now and having the opportunity to pitch stories that are important and mean something to me is great. As I build a name for myself, I hope to do this more and more.

If you're looking to be part of the Canon Student Development Programme in 2025, sign up now to receive the latest updates and discover more about this year’s talented finalists.