Go back
Joop Swart Masterclass

Encouraging new and diverse approaches to photojournalism, documentary photography and visual storytelling

The Joop Swart Masterclass is World Press Photo’s best-known educational program for emerging photographers in the field of documentary photography, photojournalism, and visual storytelling.
Launched in 1994, the masterclass’ core objective is to develop and guide photographers with 5-10 years experience in their practice, with special emphasis on building skills for long and sustainable careers in photojournalism and documentary photography and beyond. 

Format

The Joop Swart Masterclass invites 13 photographers from all around the world to develop a project, and develop the tools to make a viable career in photography, guided by a line-up of industry professionals providing insight into their practice. By engaging in dialogue with their mentors, as well as with their fellow participants, the program aims to build relationships that will help develop and sustain the participants’ careers in the future.

The Joop Swart Masterclass program consists of three components:

  • Online mentorship. Participants will work on their projects, receive feedback from their mentors, and participate in online thematic presentations.
  • In-person masterclass. The group comes together for an intensive week of workshops, talks, and presentations. In 2026, this will take place in the SWANA region for the first time. 
  • Post-masterclass presentations in the participants’ regions.

Curriculum

One-on-one mentorship 
Four mentors guide the participants throughout the program in the development of their projects.

Story development
Exploring research methods, how to construct visual narratives,  multimedia projects, printed matter and much more.

Career Development
Exploring curatorial and editorial practices, paths to publishing, how to present works internationally, and much more.

Safety
Exploring psychological and contract safety, digital security, and risk assessment. 

2026 Joop Swart Masterclass

Presenting the 13 participants for the 2026 Joop Swart Masterclass, selected from over 200 nominated photographers by an independent selection committee.

The Joop Swart Masterclass will focus on the SWANA region, thanks to funding from the Porticus Foundation. This year will be the 30th edition of the program.

Learn more about the selection process and see this year's list of nominators.

Selection committee

The 13 participants of the 2026 Joop Swart Masterclass were selected by an independent selection committee based on a nomination process. The selection committee for 2026 was:

  • Amak Mahmoodian, Iran, artist and educator
  • Amr Alfiky, Egypt/United States, staff photographer, Reuters
  • Joshua Irwandi, Indonesia, documentary photographer, National Geographic Explorer
  • Sebah Chaudhry, United Kingdom, creative producer and curator
  • Virginia Lozano, United States/Mexico, visuals editor, NPR

Mentors

The 13 participants of the 2026 Joop Swart Masterclass will work on their projects under the guidance of four mentors:

Joop Swart Masterclass alumni

The Joop Swart masterclass has contributed to the development of generations of visual storytellers for almost three decades. Participants have later gone on to have their work published and exhibited in some of the most prestigious publications and institutions around the world.

See the Joop Swart Masterclass alumni.

Photo credit (top): Mariana Ferro
Photo credits (bottom): The 2025 Joop Swart Masterclass participants

We use cookies to analyse the use of our website, identify individual preferences after obtaining your explicit consent, and enhance your user experience.

By agreeing, you are giving us consent to set cookies and accept our Cookie Policy.

I agree
Decline