ABOUT US

Founded by JH Engström and Margot Wallard in 2012, Atelier Smedsby is an innovative school of photography on line where teaching happens through workshops in Montreuil, Paris and on the internet.

Smedsby is a small town located in the Swedish countryside near Karlstad. In this quiet and contemplative environment, JH Engström bought a house to organize his life and his photography studio.

JH Engström regularly participates to short workshops supported by Margot Wallard who has experience in the organisation of the Atelier Reflexe (Montreuil).

It's beeing noticed that the participants often return in order to develop those works completed in 5 days and for this reason they decided to create a workshop where time and reflection are at the chore of creative development.

They built a one-year program dedicated to the development of photographers' projects which includes monthly Skype group meetings to work directly on the artistic content (topic). Thanks to both their experience and international network, JH Engström and Margot Wallard have also developed some complementary programs such as personalized mentorings, seminaries, meetings with professionals, portfolio reviews in short sessions led by professional and renowned photographers.

The Atelier Smedsby now takes place in Montreuil, at the Paris gate.

ONE YEAR WEB BASED WORKSHOP

This workshop forms the core of the Atelier Smedsby led by JH Engström and Margot Wallard. This distance learning course includes three individual/group meetings in Montreuil, 3 métro stops from Paris. Between the meetings, the participants are expected to report monthly on their progress via Skype.

The distinctive feature of the photographic workshop is its year-long duration that allows the participants to develop their projects and their artistic independences.

This program is followed by both JH Engström and Margot Wallard.

Objectives :

Better definition of your photographic project
Targeting of the strong lines of your subject
Dévelopment and individualized support of your artistic project

3-5 DAYS WORKSHOP

Led by some of the best contemporary photographers, publishers, curators and galerists, the short, intensive workshop aim to develop each particpant's individual style. The programs are tailored by to the participants' interest and embrace all photographic writings. This workshop can be oriented on differents aspects : editing, exhibition conception, dummy creation... and it can last from 2 to 5 days, according to the contributors.

Objectives :

Meeting of the various actors of the world of the contemporary photography
Confrontation and access to a well-defined artistic vision
Precise definition of your artistic approach

MENTORING

The « mentoring » is an individual and personalized follow-up conducted over a changing time frame. This short and intensive program aims to encourage creativity, set up a project, develop the key points of a running project, or finalise an important step, like the mockup of a book.

JH Engsröm is the mentor of this program.

Objectives :

Special exchange with JH Engström on your photographic works
Development of the work items of your choice
Finalization of a defined project

LECTURES & PORTFOLIO REVIEWS

This meetings will allow the participants to interact with gallery owners, publishers, writers or photographers who will be invited to share their experience, perspectives and approaches to their jobs.

The Atelier Smedsby provides participants with the opportunity to meet, in person, influential people from the world of photography and to present their work for a personalised feedback.

Objectives :

Meeting and interaction with a professional of contemporary photography
Presentation of your project
Outlines to develop your project

RESULTS

Since 2012, JH Engström and Margot Wallard are very proud and happy that Atelier Smedsby helped to gain experience and professionalism. They met fantastic people and had the chance to follow a lot of deeply well-conducted projects. Some of these projects have been realized by very concrete results : books, exhibitions and awards. Here are some examples :

JULIETA SANS, Guido Models

http://julietasans.com/Guido-Models

LEIF SANDERDBERG, Ending

http://www.leifsandberg.com/books2/

OISTEIN SAETHREN DAHLE, Love Kills My words

http://www.gupmagazine.com/portfolios/oistein-saethren-dahle/love-kills-my-words

KARL HENRIK EDLUND, Bright Hours

http://henrikedlund.fi/

CHRISTIAN VIUM, The Wake (FOAM Talent 2015, Lensculture Emerging Talent 2015, Grand Prix de Tokyo International Photography)

http://www.christianvium.com/#the-wake

CHRISTIAN NILSON, The Swiss

http://www.christiannilson.com/the-swiss-book/