New foundation - Academy of Photography

The Academy of Photography in Hamburg wants to create a new place for young and aspiring photographers to learn and work: On May 31, the non-profit training institution in Gaußstraße opens its doors and presents the exhibition "There we are" with photographic works by former graduates at the opening.

Interested parties will learn about the new place to study and work with coworking space for creatives and the workshop program for professional photographers and photo enthusiasts. Aspiring photographers can find out about the new photography program and still apply for the winter semester 2022/2023 until August 1.


The open space offers young photographers a working environment on more than 300 square meters with coworking space, studio space, digital lab, analog darkroom, printing stations and exhibition space. According to its two founders, Frank Becker and André Hemstedt, the Academy of Photography sees itself not only as a training facility and workspace for photographers, but precisely also as a venue for exhibitions, talks, lectures and workshops for professional photographers and those interested in photography.


"With the new space, we are realizing the vision of an open place to experiment, learn and work. We want to create a lively and inspiring space around photography that supports young photographers in their development," say Frank Becker and André Hemstedt, who are photographers themselves and have been involved in photographic education and training for years. With its educational offering, the academy aims to provide a practice-oriented alternative to studying photography at a university and in-house craft photography training. "With our many years of experience, we know that only the best of both teachings - study and craft - leads to success. We are therefore taking a new approach to discovering and promoting talent," emphasizes Frank Becker. His partner André Hemstedt adds: "Our teaching concept therefore combines the content-related examination of photography that typically takes place at a university with the craft skills that are in demand later in everyday working life. To this end, we offer space and time to gain experience and exchange ideas."
To mark the opening, the Academy of Photography will present the exhibition "There We Are," featuring work by eleven graduates. With their photographs, Nikolai Frerichs, Andreas Hopfgarten, Marie Hölscher, Christian Piel, Moritz Rehbein, Katinka Schütt, Angela Simi, Yves Suter, Michael Taterka, Jan Volbracht, and Sabrina Weniger question social conventions, play with visual habits, and take viewers on journeys that are sometimes very personal. The AFF diploma at master level is a combination of elementary studies (5 semesters) and master classes (2 semesters). In the curriculum, students can expect a wide range of offerings in theory and practice. From camera and lighting techniques to conceptual thinking and business-oriented topics, students acquire a multi-faceted know-how.


Alternatively, students can complete the Elementary Studies only or attend the Masterclass as a postgraduate course. The elementary studies offer a technical, creative and economically action-oriented basis with internship phases in different photographic fields. At the end of the fifth semester, students take the state-recognized examination to become a photographer. Following this, the master class enables a targeted transition into practice. With the support of experienced mentors, students refine their own visual language, build up their own portfolio and benefit from personal exchange with representatives of the creative industries. The Masterclass concludes with the AFF diploma and a state-recognized photographic master's exam, which is equivalent to the bachelor's degree.


After graduation, graduates and young professionals can take advantage of the expanded offerings and benefit from the Academy's innovative open-space concept and workshop program, which offers many networking opportunities.


The academy offers students, graduates and external young professionals a place to work professionally and creatively in an open environment. Students use the studios for their first jobs, and new students can assist with senior cohorts. The in-house black and white lab, exhibitions and events make the Academy of Photography a professional and inspiring place to work. Especially at the beginning, costs for a desk space, equipment and studio use are a hurdle. The Open Space enables a unique offer at a fair price: easily bookable studio allotments, a print lab, image editing workstations, space for client meetings and projects.


Frank Becker (*1967) and André Hemstedt (*1976) are photographers with craft and academic backgrounds. For more than ten years, they have been teaching photography in an individually configurable training concept that bridges the gap between craft training and academic photography studies. In the past years, both have accompanied more than 70 students on this path into professional photographic life. With the Academy of Photography, they are now giving their concept a new home in Hamburg, together with numerous partners from the imaging and photography industry.

More information about the Academy of Photography:

www.akademiefuerfotografie.de