One of the most important international events in the world of photography, Paris Photo, will take place for its 29th edition at the Grand Palais in Paris from November 12 to 15. Focusing on the 200th anniversary of photography, the event brings together 152 galleries from 32 countries, contemporary photography projects, digital art works and international photography publishers.
One of the leading international gatherings for photographic art, Paris Photo opens its doors for the 29th time on November 12. Running until November 15, the event hosts a special programme this year in celebration of the 200th anniversary of photography. Founded in 1997, Paris Photo brings together galleries, photographers, artists, publishers, collectors and art professionals from around the world every year. Prepared under the direction of Florence Bourgeois and the artistic direction of Anna Planas, the 2026 edition explores the historical legacy of photography alongside contemporary and evolving forms of image-making on the same platform.
This Year's Main Concept: The 200th Anniversary of Photography
The main focus of Paris Photo 2026 is the Bicentenary of Photography. Marking two centuries since the emergence of photography, this special edition explores the technical and artistic development of the medium through works from different periods. The programme, which ranges from early photographic techniques and historical prints to analogue production, large-scale installations and digital images, reveals the transformations photography has undergone. One of the key highlights of the programme prepared by Paris Photo Director Florence Bourgeois and Artistic Director Anna Planas is a special exhibition drawn from the Centre Pompidou photography collection.
100 Works from the Centre Pompidou Collection
The exhibition titled Revealing: The Photography Collection of Centre Pompidou brings together 100 works by approximately 30 artists from the Centre Pompidou collection. Curated by Florian Ebner, Damarice Amao and Julie Jones, the selection is structured around three main themes:
- Making the Image: The creation of images and the visual forms of photographic production.
- To Infinity: The boundaries, possibilities and different forms of expression of photography.
- Identities: The relationship between photography and the concepts of identity, portraiture and representation.
Extending from Nicéphore Niépce's first photographic experiments to images generated by artificial intelligence today, the exhibition demonstrates that photography is not merely a means of documentation, but also an artistic and cultural form of expression.
The Sections of Paris Photo 2026
This year, Paris Photo is organised around five main sections. The programme, structured under the headings Main, Voices, Digital, Emergence and Book, brings together different forms of photographic production and presentation.
Main and Prismes: International Galleries and Large-Scale Projects
The fair's main section, Main, brings together 152 galleries from 32 countries. The section features 44 solo presentations, 10 duo presentations and 93 group exhibitions. Prismes, which is part of Main, hosts four large-scale projects specially conceived for the architectural spaces of the Grand Palais. One of the highlights is Thomas Ruff's installation, which extends across a 36-metre-long area at the entrance to the Grand Palais. Spanning more than 40 years of the artist's practice, the work explores his artistic approach, from analogue photography to digital simulations. Projects by SMITH, Antony Cairns and Viktoria Binschtok are also presented within Prismes.
Voices: Disappearance
The third edition of the Voices section, launched in 2024, is curated by Zasha Colah and Francesco Zanot. This year's theme is Disappearance. The section takes as its starting point photography's historical role as a medium for documenting people, places and events on the verge of disappearing. Today, however, it questions the future of photography through the transformation of digital images, fragile archives, disappearing communities and shifting perceptions of reality. Bringing historical photographs together with contemporary artistic productions, the selection includes works created using materials that change or disappear over time, as well as experimental approaches that combine photography with sculpture, painting and installation.
Digital: Digital Technologies and the Future of Images
Curated by Marco De Mutiis, the Digital section brings together 12 galleries, curatorial platforms and special projects. Focusing on the transformation of photography through digital technologies, the section addresses topics such as artificial intelligence, facial recognition algorithms, social media aesthetics, digital manipulation and internet culture. It explores how digital technologies are changing not only the ways images are produced, but also how they are perceived and how they relate to reality.
Emergence: The New Generation of Photographers
Emergence is dedicated to a new generation of contemporary photographic artists and galleries. This year, 20 projects from nine countries are featured in the section. The selection explores a range of subjects, from everyday life to historical and political narratives, personal memory and discussions of colonialism. Featured artists include Ricardo Cases, who photographs the repetitive gestures of everyday life; Randa Mirza, who addresses the devastating impact of war in South Lebanon through photography, poetry and calligraphy; and Nicolás Combarro, who examines the material and spiritual traces of architecture.
Book: Photography Books and Publishing
Paris Photo's Book section, dedicated to photographic publishing, brings together 49 publishers and specialist booksellers from 17 countries. Featuring artist books, contemporary photography publications, limited-edition special editions and rare books, the section highlights the importance of the photobook as an independent form of artistic expression. In addition, book-signing events expected to involve more than 400 photographers, writers and artists, as well as the Book Talks programme organised in collaboration with Printed Matter, will meet visitors.
Elles × Paris Photo: A Special Programme for Women Photographers
Organised in collaboration with the French Ministry of Culture, the Elles × Paris Photo programme aims to increase the visibility of women artists in the world of photography. This year's programme, curated by Aldeide Delgado, is titled An Oceanic Beginning. Using the ocean as a metaphor, the selection aims to make overlooked artists, stories and different perspectives visible, rather than viewing photographic history from a single point of origin.
Galeri Nev from Türkiye at Paris Photo 2026
At Paris Photo 2026, Ankara-based Galeri Nev will represent Türkiye in the fair's Main section. Galeri Nev will present works by Yıldız Moran, one of the pioneering figures of photographic art in Türkiye. This participation is significant in terms of increasing the international visibility of the country's photographic and contemporary art productions.
Talks, Book Events and Special Projects
Alongside its exhibitions and gallery presentations, Paris Photo 2026 also hosts an extensive cultural programme. Talks under the title Conversations, Book Talks, book-signing events, the Paris Photo–Aperture PhotoBook Awards, the Paris Photo Students Prize for students and educational projects are among the other key highlights of the event. While the special programme dedicated to the 200th anniversary of photography considers historical photographic techniques and contemporary digital production within the same framework, it also creates space for discussions about the future of photography.
International Partners of Paris Photo 2026
Paris Photo 2026 is organised with the support of major brands from various sectors, as well as international art and photography institutions. Huawei is the event's Global Partner, while Pictet and BMW support the fair as Official Partners. The law firm Clifford Chance contributes to the event as an Associate Partner.
Other partners include Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation, MUUS Collection, CAMERA – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia, Gallerie d'Italia, Louis Vuitton and Belmond. The French Ministry of Culture, the City of Paris, the Grand Palais and Photo Elysée in Switzerland are among the event's institutional partners.
Ruinart is participating as the Official Provider, while Roche Bobois, Soeur, Diptyque, Études Studio and HEMERIA are Supporting Partners. The Estée Lauder Companies supports the event as its Charity Partner.
Huawei XMAGE Awards and Exhibition
As the Global Partner of Paris Photo 2026, Huawei is presenting a special exhibition to mark the 10th anniversary of the HUAWEI XMAGE Awards. Titled A Heartwarming World, the exhibition brings together photographic works by Huawei users from different countries around the world. The exhibition, which will be held at stand B01 as part of Paris Photo, will be accompanied by the 2026 HUAWEI XMAGE Awards ceremony.
For more detailed information, visit the fair's official website: www.parisphoto.com
