In a world saturated with images, where creative tools evolve at breakneck speed, photography retains its unique power: to tell stories, to bear witness to reality, to invent new forms. It is this diversity that the Salon de la Photo celebrates every autumn. Last year, more than 37,000 visitors — professional photographers, videographers, content creators, and enthusiasts alike — passed through the doors of the Grande Halle. In 2025, the event promises to be even more ambitious, with 110 exhibitors representing 180 leading brands, from Canon and Fujifilm to Sony, Leica, and Sigma.
For four days, the Salon will be the ideal place to discover the latest technical innovations, test new equipment, get inspired, learn, or simply marvel at works from around the world. “It’s a great celebration of image-making, where perspectives and practices intersect,” says Simon Edwards, the Salon’s artistic director.
Past and future of photography
In recent years, amidst the major equipment brands, the Salon has introduced a rich cultural dimension with a series of curated exhibitions. One of the highlights of this edition will undoubtedly be “An Italian Adventure”, devoted to the prestigious Contrasto collection. This journey through more than 150 years of Italian photographic history brings together works by Mimmo Jodice, Gianni Berengo Gardin, Ferdinando Scianna, Gabriele Basilico, and Mario Giacomelli. The exhibition leads visitors on a visual stroll from Rome to Venice, from Naples to Milan, exploring the many facets of a photographic tradition that is at once poetic, political, and profoundly human.
In dialogue with this heritage, the Salon also shines a light on contemporary perspectives. A selection of recent works by Anna Di Prospero and Diana Bagnoli engages with iconic figures such as Martin Parr, Paolo Pellegrin, and Elliott Erwitt, demonstrating that photography is constantly reinventing itself.
Exhibitions, festivals, and immersive experiences
The Salon de la Photo is more than an exhibition: it is a crossroads of practices and ideas. This year, it partners for the first time with Circulation(s), the festival dedicated to emerging European photography, and with the Bayeux-Calvados-Normandy Prize, presenting a retrospective of 32 award-winning photojournalists.
The experience also extends to accessibility, with Canon World Unseen, an exhibition designed for visitors who are sighted, visually impaired, or blind. The Salon will also showcase contemporary creativity through the presentation of the Sony World Photography Awards.
Talks, conferences, and workshops
One of the Salon’s great strengths lies in its 45 live events, spread across three main stages:
- La Scène Live, a space for sharing and demonstrations by creators and brands.
- Les Grandes Rencontres, a series of conversations led by journalists with leading figures such as Patrick Zachmann, Matthieu Ricard, and Pierre-Elie de Pibrac.
- Le Forum des Pros, dedicated to the professional side of photography, organized in partnership with UPP, AFNUM, and FFPMI.
In addition, visitors will be able to attend masterclasses led by renowned photographers, covering everything from cinema photography (Christophe Brachet) to nude photography (Neil Snape), street photography (Jean-Christophe Béchet), and natural and artificial lighting.
Hands-on practice will also be central, with eight immersive “photo spots” where visitors can test equipment, participate in portfolio reviews, attend award ceremonies, or browse a vibrant second-hand market featuring rare vintage cameras.
Film photography and a new generation of image-makers
This year, film photography takes center stage with The Analog Chronicles, a community-driven project launched by the 99 Cameras Museum. Exhibitions, talks, and encounters will explore two centuries of photographic innovation, bringing pioneers of analog photography into dialogue with a new generation of creators reinventing the medium in contemporary ways.
“Today, digital technology supports photographers in their pursuit of perfection, but it can sometimes diminish their involvement in the creative process,” notes Federico Benincasa, founder of the 99 Cameras Museum, the first institution dedicated to iconic cameras, based at Studio Harcourt in Paris. “Analog, on the other hand, places the photographer back at the center of the experience. It represents both a technical challenge and a real pleasure — one that younger generations are seeking. Vintage cameras have become objects of fascination, carriers of history and emotion.”
Awards and recognition
Finally, the Salon will once again spotlight emerging talent with Les Zooms, two awards created in 2010 to celebrate the next generation of photographers — one awarded by the press, the other by the public. Online voting is open until September 4, 2025, and the awards ceremony will take place during the event, chaired by Laura Serani.
Bringing together more than 500 works, historical masters and new voices, cutting-edge technology and artisanal practices, the 2025 Salon de la Photo stands out as a dynamic and forward-looking event — a meeting point for every tool, idea, and perspective photographers need in their daily practice.
The Salon de la Photo takes place at the Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris, from October 9 to 12, 2025.
Blind readers can attend the event for free. Here’s how to claim your ticket:
- Go to the ticketing page on the Salon de la Photo website.
- Select a full-price ticket.
- Click on “Do you have a discount code?” and enter the code: BLIND25.
- Click on “Next.”
- Fill out the form.
- That’s it — your ticket will be sent directly to your email.
