SPC Academy students come from all walks of life, but they have two things in common: a passion for photography and a commitment to doing the hard work necessary to bring their dreams to life.
We, their teachers, are so proud of what they have accomplished, both during their time at the academy and after it. And it is our pleasure to share here some of the stories of the alumni who have built the lives they dreamed of.
Stefie VB Photographie
Portrait photographer – from family and business photography to Fine Art.
The SPC Academy truly changed my life. I had just quit my corporate job at a big firm and had no idea what would come next. During this transition, I decided to take classes at SPC. What I loved most was that every module was taught by a different teacher — each one so passionate about their craft. Their enthusiasm was contagious and made me want to become a photographer too.
My growth during the program was enormous — not only on a technical and visual level, but also personally. Photography became a way to express myself, and it gave me more confidence. What’s even more special: almost a year after finishing the program, I’m still in touch with several teachers. That says a lot about the warmth and community at SPC.
During the Academy, I fell in love with Fine Art photography. One of the teachers, Dai Bui, explained how it’s a powerful medium to express and transfer emotions — and that truly resonated with me. It sparked a deep motivation to keep growing, refine my style, and become a better photographer.
My goal for 2025 is to bring my work to a higher level and take part in international competitions. Just three months into the year, I’ve already received 4 international awards (2x silver, 2x bronze) and had 3 works selected internationally — 2 of which will be exhibited.
None of this would have been possible without the inspiration, support, and encouragement I received at SPC — I’m truly grateful. Thank you!
Lukas Wagner, LRPS
SPC Academy Participant 2020-2021
I’m a keen and passionate private photographer trying to improve my skills and experience step by step. I’ve learned that feedback from my teachers at SPC Academy and other professionals is crucial.
My main interest is architecture and landscape photography while I have an open mind for other genres.
My journey began some years after retiring at an SPC Photo Awards exhibition where Osan Altun (the owner) encouraged me to participate in the Academy. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my lifetime. Our fully committed and inspiring teachers gave their best to motivate us. I learned much more than expected about technical aspects, mainly how to recognise and utilize light and as well a lot about photography as a genre of art. History of photography and business aspects were not lacking either.
My most loved class was «Ways of Seeing» where our eyes were trained to see differently. My artistic vision is bound to a quote of Henri Cartier-Bresson who said, “For me, photography is to place head, heart and eye along the same line of sight. It’s a way of life”.
Encouraged and supported very much by my mentor Catherine Lewis– a teacher at SPC Academy – I got the Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society LRPS (GB) in 2023. After that, more and more I felt the wish to showcase my art. Again, SPC with its Artists Corner in the regular exhibitions in Zurich and Geneva provided the necessary platform for me, followed by Galerie Sechs in Basel, an ambitious start-up owned by Huan Cao, former student of SPC Academy like me.
The high point was my first participation at photoSCHWEIZ in Zurich in February 2025, where I was accepted with two different series of architectural photographs. Besides that, I was among the first ten in an open call for landscape images in on online photo competition. The journey continues – always looking for the best balance in my life together with my wife Evelyne. She herself is a passionate gardener.
JF Photography Sarl
Lifestyle and personal branding photographer
Photography has always been one of my favorite creative outlets. I love working with people and creating images that feel thoughtful, honest, and personal. I focus mostly on portrait and branding sessions, and I also take on creative projects that explore a range of subjects—from sport and nature to storytelling and our connection to meaningful places.
SPC gave me the structure and clarity I really needed to grow my business—especially when it came to marketing and building a portfolio that reflects my style. The classes gave me both technical confidence and creative direction, and I still refer back to what I learned in the portrait and studio lighting modules. There was a generous, supportive energy throughout the courses that made it easier to take creative risks and grow into my own voice as a photographer.
I love creating in both color and black and white to offer clients a mix of realism and timelessness—two qualities that, paired with a touch of minimalism, really define my aesthetic.
Since opening my own studio in Gland, Switzerland, I’ve been able to offer clients a calm, intentional space where they can feel fully seen. My sessions are relaxed and collaborative, whether we’re documenting family moments, personal milestones, or building a strong brand identity through visuals. I also offer one of the few studio setups in the area equipped to accommodate aerialists—photographing these incredible artists is a true passion of mine.
Photography, for me, is about connection—slowing down, paying attention, and reflecting back the beauty I see in others. I’m grateful that SPC gave me the tools and support to turn that into a business I love.
Ivana Hajzmanova
Humanitarian, social and landscape photographer and storyteller
Signing up for the SPC Academy was one of the best decisions I have ever taken to make my dreams come true. I loved the idea of meeting different teachers for the classes and learning from their different perspectives and approaches. Each class was incredibly inspiring and helped me reflect on what I want to focus on in my art and how to express it all in my photographs.
I found especially useful the classes on Vision and Style which made me go deep into my own story to understand where my creativity and passion for photography comes from and how to work with it in the future to create my own distinct style. I also loved the practical classes where I could ask all the technical questions I had and learn to work with people I photograph.
At the core of my work is humanitarian and social photography where I tell powerful, untold stories of resilience, vulnerability, and quiet courage with my camera. My approach is rooted in authenticity and empathy, capturing soft, unfiltered and relatable in-between moments that reveal the humanity behind the headlines. My work emphasizes the softness of every day moments and the beauty of unfinished stories, creating a distinctive visual voice that resonates in a crowded market. I seek to capture subtle, often invisible details: the soft shadows that brush across a face, the gentle interplay of light and color, the pastel tones that evoke calm and reflection.
Photography and storytelling, for me, are not just tools of art—they are ways to give voice to the soft, raw, and vulnerable aspects of the human experience. Each story I tell is an invitation to step into a world where we move beyond the statistics and headlines to see the individuals. It’s about embracing the imperfection, the unfinished, and the unspoken moments that make us who we are.
I approach every project with deep empathy, vulnerability, and respect, recognizing that both photography and storytelling are privileges and responsibilities. Through my work, I aim to amplify the voices of the overlooked, illuminate the untold stories, and challenge the way the world sees those often excluded from the narrative.
I finished the SPC Academy only recently but I already managed to adjust my daily job contract to become a photographer when I travel on humanitarian missions across the world, and my photos will be published in the upcoming global report. I am also starting two partnerships with other artists in the humanitarian and human rights field here in Geneva and another one with a Swiss female entrepreneurs network. I am so excited about everything ahead.
Follow my IG page or website to learn more about them in the coming weeks as they unfold.
Are you ready to take your photography to the next level, for real? See how far you can go when you commit 100 hours, 200 hours, or a whole year towards building the technical, artistic and business skills you need to bring your artistic dreams to life–whatever they are.
Explore the different SPC Academy programs or sign up for a free info session.
We’ll be ready when you are.
