Paris Photo  Study Program 2026 with Kristin Dittrich

From 12–15 November 2026, Kristin Dittrich, Director of Shift School for Photography Vienna/Dresden, will lead the  photography study program to Paris.

The program is focusing on Paris Photo and explores artistic concepts, galleries, collectors and the photography art market. The Shift School’s Paris program offers participants the opportunity to develop their ability to assess the relevance of photographic practices, gain up-to-date knowledge of photography as an art form in 2026, and discover the prestigious Paris Photo art fair in the context of its key players and networks.

The 29th edition of Paris Photo celebrates the 200th anniversary of photography and brings together leading figures from the international photography art world through special events, outstanding international galleries, artists, publishers, institutions and collectors.

Shift School connects photography with art, culture and international exchange in Paris. The studyprogram includes guided visits to the city’s photography highlights, as well as a practical two-day workshop entitled “Understanding the International Photography Art Market.”

Schedule and Programme

Thursday, 12 November 2026

Arrival in Paris

Participants travel to Paris individually on Thursday, 12 November 2026. After arriving and checking into our accommodation, we will meet at 7 pm for a welcome dinner and an opportunity to get to know one another.

Friday, 13 November 2026

Paris Photo – Part 1: Grand Palais

In the morning, we will visit and discuss an important photography exhibition in Paris to ease into the study program and prepare for the days ahead.

From 2 pm, we will meet at Paris Photo, the photography art fair at the Grand Palais. This is where our workshop begins, with practical exercises designed to deepen our understanding of photography culture in 2026.

Twenty-five years ago, Kristin Dittrich had the exceptional opportunity to work for the founder of this art fair. She will share valuable insider knowledge about the origins, structure and development of Paris Photo. Participants will benefit from her first-hand experience and in-depth understanding of the photography scene in Paris.

We will remain at Paris Photo until the evening. Our first visit will focus on understanding the fair as a whole, exploring its broad structure, key sections and new developments for 2026. On the second day, we will delve deeper into the fair and examine its details more closely.

Following the workshop, participants will have time to explore the fair independently and pursue their own interests.

Evening: Free time to enjoy Paris at your own pace. Any special events taking place that evening will be shared with participants via our WhatsApp group.

Saturday, 14 November 2026

Jeanne d’Arc, Salon APPROCHE and Paris Photo – Part 2

We will begin the morning with a traditional photography gathering at the Jeanne d’Arc monument in Paris, near the Louvre, where we will start the day with an intensive exchange of ideas.

We will then visit Salon APPROCHE, a carefully curated fair dedicated to experimental photography, where we have been invited to take part in a guided tour.

After lunch together, we will walk along the Seine to Paris Photo for the second part of our visit.

Having explored the fair broadly on the previous day, we will now take a closer look at the international gallery presentations that are setting the tone this year and examine why they matter. We will discuss which historical and contemporary photographic practices deserve particular attention and discover the hidden photographic gems waiting to be found at this year’s fair.

Our discussions will address current developments in international photography, as well as questions surrounding the presentation of photographic work, photography collecting and emerging trends in the photography art market.

Paris Photo is open until 8 pm on Saturday. Afterwards, we will enjoy dinner together at a carefully selected restaurant known for its excellent cuisine.

Sunday, 15 November 2026

Final Programme and Departure

We will begin the day by presenting our current annual photography project, followed by an in-depth exchange of ideas and feedback.

The official programme concludes at 1 pm, marking the end of our study trip.

For those staying until Monday, we recommend visiting Polycopies, a highly regarded photobook fair.

Departure: Participants arrange their return journeys individually on Sunday, 15 November 2026.

Accommodation

Immediately after registration, we will send you a list of recommended hotels for our four days in Paris.

Each year, we select a centrally located hotel where, whenever possible, all participants can stay together. Over the past ten years, we have found that this arrangement has contributed greatly to the enjoyment of our trips.

Paris Photo – Admission Included

Admission tickets to Paris Photo for both days are covered by Shift School and included in the educational programme.

The total participation fee for the organisation and delivery of the programme is €750. This includes the Paris Photo workshop, portfolio review, annual group meeting and guided exhibition programme in Paris.

Key Information

• Dates: 12–15 November 2026
• Course language: German
• Workshop location: Paris, Grand Palais, Champs-Élysées
• Course leader: Kristin Dittrich
• Participation fee: €750

What Is Included in the Fee?

The participation fee covers the four-day educational programme in Paris, including:

• Two days at Paris Photo 2026, with admission tickets included.
• An in-depth exploration of the Paris Photo fair, its galleries and their presentations.
• Insights into developments in photography across Europe and the United States, supported by practical exercises and assignments on site.
• Conversations with gallery owners, curators and fair organisers.
• An in-depth examination of Paris Photo, including its different sections and the wider context of related satellite events.
• A VIP visit to APPROCHE, the fair for experimental photography.
• An event featuring contemporary photography collectors.
• Visits to outstanding photography exhibitions in Paris, including guided tours and curatorial discussions led by Kristin Dittrich.
• A curated list of recommendations for the best exhibitions currently on view in Paris.
• A portfolio review and the annual group meeting.

Optional: Visit to the Polycopies art book fair on a boat on the Seine, including opportunities to meet publishers specialising in fine-art photography books and limited-edition photobook publications.

What Is Not Included?

Travel expenses, accommodation and metro tickets are not included in the participation fee.

To help you prepare for the trip, we will be happy to recommend charming, centrally located hotels in Paris at attractive rates.

If you are interested, please contact us by email at office@shift-school.com.

About Kristin Dittrich
Kristin is a curator, art critic, and specialist in contemporary photography. She studied art history and curatorial practice with a focus on photography at the Sorbonne in Paris and has worked as a cultural journalist for the BBC, Deutschlandfunk, and MDR Kultur, among others. Her professional experience includes working at Paris Photo, founding and serving as artistic director of the f/stop Leipzig photography festival, and working in connection with documenta 13 and the Rudolfinum Art Hall in Prague.
As the founder and director of the Shift School for Photography, she combines these experiences with
teaching, curatorial practice, and individual mentoring. She supports photographers in the development of long-term artistic projects, image selection, and the presentation of their
work in exhibitions and publications.