Documentary Photography – Course with Vincent Haiges

How do you turn what you see into a compelling visual story? Inspired by Thomas Billhardt’s humanist approach to documenting everyday life in Berlin, as well as in Cuba and Vietnam, this course explores documentary storytelling through photography.

Over three Mondays, you develop your own documentary project under the guidance of Vincent Haiges, a photographer and World Press Photo Award recipient. You identify a subject, research it, approach people and situations, and photograph observations in your own surroundings. Along the way, you explore the practical, creative, and ethical questions that are an integral part of documentary work.

The final module focuses on how your work reaches an audience. You edit and present your images, learn to pitch your story, and gain insights into different forms of publication and distribution.

You learn how to develop an independent photographic story from an initial idea and tell it through a clear visual language.

What you learn

• Develop a documentary story from an initial idea
• Research and prepare documentary projects
• Plan and structure a photographic story
• Work ethically in documentary situations
• Strengthen visual storytelling through composition, framing, and light
• Select appropriate equipment for different documentary situations
• Edit and sequence images into a coherent narrative
• Present and pitch documentary work professionally

About the Host

Vincent Haiges is a Berlin-based documentary photographer. His work focuses on armed conflicts and human rights issues. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science from SOAS University and received a World Press Photo Award in 2024. His work has appeared in publications including Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, The Guardian and Foreign Policy. His photographs have been exhibited at the London Design Biennale, the Artizon Museum in Tokyo and the Willy-Brandt-Haus in Berlin.

Detailed Program

Day 1 – Finding the Story | 18:00–21:00

• Introduction to the workshop and Vincent Haiges’ documentary practice
• Thomas Billhardt’s humanist view of everyday life and his long-term observation of Berlin
• From an initial subject to a documentary story: research, preparation, and finding access
• Finding people and perspectives that carry your story
• Building trust and finding access to situations as an outsider
• Basics of framing, composition, and light
• Planning your project with a storyboard and shot list

Day 2 – Editing, Ethics & Practice | 18:00–21:00

• First group image review and feedback
• Editing and sequencing: How does a story emerge from individual images?
• Ethical questions in documentary photography
• Challenges and safe working practices in the field
• Funding opportunities, from grants and publications to long-term projects

Day 3 – Presenting Documentary Stories | 18:00–21:00

• Presentation of your own work
• Group editing and sequencing of the final images
• Individual feedback and group discussion
• Pitching your work to magazines, NGOs, and festivals
• Exploring alternative forms of publication
• Recommendations for books, photographers, and further resources

After 21:00 | Closing Together

The course ends with drinks and snacks, offering a relaxed opportunity to connect with other participants and reflect together on the past few days.

Please be aware

Please note that photos, videos, and audio recordings will be taken during the event and may be used for marketing and communication purposes, including social media, website, press, and printed materials. By attending the event, you consent to the possible use and publication of such recordings.

If you do not wish to appear in any recordings, please speak to our team or the host on site.