The 38th edition of the Visa pour l’Image international photojournalism festival, currently taking place in Perpignan from 29 August to 13 September 2026, was marked by the launch of a first-ever Photojournalism Convention on 31 August 2026 at the Palais des Congrès.
The First Photojournalism Convention
Opened on Monday 31st August at the Palais des Congrès in Perpignan, this unprecedented meeting brought together numerous professionals to debate the future of the profession. The initial discussions highlighted a profession in deep crisis:
Economic hardship: According to data from the Liaison and Action Committee for Photography (Clap), a quarter of freelance photographers live below the minimum wage threshold.
Technological threats: Discussions focused largely on the existential challenge posed by the emergence of generative artificial intelligence.
Long-term objective: The ambition of these round tables is to lay the foundations for a future «White Paper» to protect and reaffirm the role of the profession.
There is no public nominative list containing all of the hundreds of accredited journalists and professionals.
On the other hand, news surrounding the 38th edition of Visa pour l'Image makes it possible to list the major figures in photojournalism currently present in Perpignan, whether they are exhibitors, award winners or key speakers in the debates.
Photojournalists on display and present
Raymond Depardon – Presenting his exclusive selection «Reporter / Photographer» supported by Le Figaro Magazine.
Elise Blanchard – Nairobi-based reporter, she is presenting her shocking exhibition «Afghanistan: young girls sold to survive the droughts».
Rafael Yaghobzadeh – Winner of the 2026 Visa d’or Online Award for his work «Lebanon – Perpetual War(s)» published for Le Monde.
Philémon Barbier – Winner of the Visa d'or de la Ville de Perpignan Rémi Ochlik Award for his work in Syria.
Mads Nissen
Tyler Hicks
David Guttenfelder
Gerd Ludwig
Gaël Turine
Hervé Lequeux
