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Si vous residez en France, il est désormais possible de profiter de vos droits à la formation professionnelle pour participer à un workshop Venezia Photo. Selon votre statut, deux dispositifs existent pour vous accompagner dans le financement partiel ou total de votre workshop à Venise.
Stefan Rappo
Stefan Rappo
Stefan Rappo
Stefan Rappo
Stefan Rappo
PORTRAIT From April 9 to 12, 2026

STEFAN RAPPO

Intimate Portraits
Capturing the Unspoken
Festival Workshop
Sale price€1.530,00 Finance my workshop

"Photographing a portrait is entering a space where trust becomes the true source of light. An intimate portrait is not created. It is revealed. It emerges from a connection built with patience, attention, and sincerity."

- Stefan Rappo

During this four day workshop, Stefan Rappo guides participants toward a more intuitive and sensitive approach to portraiture. The training takes place in a calm environment designed for focus, exploration, and creativity. Participants are encouraged to work in spaces that allow them to concentrate on the essential: observing, connecting, experimenting, and letting the portrait unfold naturally.


The workshop places great importance on the relationship with the subject and on the ability to create an atmosphere where the model can express themselves freely. Participants will learn to build trust, to develop a personal narrative approach, and to adapt to the lighting and locations available throughout the training space. The programme also includes work on visual style, image selection, and post production, leading to portraits with strong artistic and emotional coherence.
The training concludes with a collective review during which each participant presents the evolution of their work and the portraits developed during the four days.

Bio

At the age of thirty, Stefan Rappo left Switzerland and his work as an industrial designer in heavy forestry equipment to study photography at ETPA in Toulouse. After graduating in 2004, following his professors’ advice, he moved to Paris and joined PIN UP Studios as a studio assistant. In 2007, he began working for renowned photographers such as Camilla Akrans and Bruno Aveillan.

From 2012 to 2019, he became the first assistant to Peter Lindbergh, eight defining years that shaped his artistic identity.

Stefan’s approach to cinematic storytelling, nude photography, and portraiture is intuitive. Rather than pursuing aesthetic standards, he seeks to create images that resonate emotionally. Black and white, color, clarity, and dreamlike softness become tools that allow him to build narratives where each image suggests a hidden place, a story waiting to be felt. His models, the protagonists of these stories, embody his visual language while expressing themselves in complete freedom.

Pedagogical learning

  • Guide a model to build trust and create intimate portraits
  • Create portraits that integrate storytelling and emotional presence
  • Adapt to various lighting conditions in different types of spaces
  • Develop a personal style
  • Select and edit images to produce a coherent series

Skills targeted

  • Build a portrait session based on trust, dialogue, and observation
  • Develop an intuitive and narrative approach to portrait photography
  • Improve image selection and post production to enhance final results
  • Present and defend one’s work in a professional context

Target audience

Professional photographers, advanced amateurs, visual artists, and anyone wishing to deepen their portrait practice through an intimate and narrative approach.
Intermediate to advanced level recommended.

Prerequisites

  • Autonomous use of a digital camera
  • Required personal equipment including a digital camera with batteries and charger, lenses of choice, memory cards, an external hard drive or USB key with sufficient space, a personal laptop with charger, and editing software.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • The complete workshop: from Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. to Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 1 p.m.
  • 3 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 2 cocktails
  • Access to the closing evening
  • Any equipment loans
  • Access to any tourist sites or places of interest planned as part of the workshop
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
  • Return transport to Venice and San Servolo
  • Accommodation: 100 rooms are available on site, in San Servolo, otherwise you'll need to arrange your own accommodation in Venice
  • Lunch is on your own: there is a cafeteria in San Servolo
  • Vaporettos and other water cabs outside the excursions scheduled as part of the workshop
  • All insurance cover for lost or stolen luggage, delayed or cancelled transport, theft or breakage of equipment during the workshop
Detailed program
Day 1

Afternoon

  • Welcome and introduction to the workshop, offering participants their first immersion into Stefan’s artistic universe
  • Presentation of Stefan’s philosophy and approach to portraiture, setting the foundations for the days ahead
  • Exchange with participants to understand their individual intentions, sensitivities and ambitions
  • Opening exercise designed to heighten visual awareness, encourage observation and establish a shared creative mindset for the group

Day 2

Morning

  • In-depth discussion on the foundations and subtleties of contemporary portraiture, exploring intention, presence and the relationship between photographer and subject
  • Demonstrations of Stefan’s working methods, with a particular focus on the nuances of light and the preparation required to create meaningful images

Afternoon

  • First practical session with a model, allowing participants to put the morning’s insights into motion
  • Personalised guidance from Stefan to refine direction, sensitivity and the coherence of each participant’s approach
Day 3

Morning

  • Continuation of practical work in different environments, encouraging participants to explore atmosphere, emotion and narrative potential
  • Portrait sessions with varied subjects, offering new perspectives and broadening technical and artistic exploration

Afternoon

  • Initial editing phase, fostering a more discerning eye and thoughtful selection
  • Preparation of a curated series for the collective review planned on the following day
Day 4

Morning

Collective presentation of the work produced, encouraging constructive critique, shared reflection and an understanding of each participant’s evolution throughout the workshop

Afternoon
Conclusion of the workshop and closing discussion

Please note that this program is subject to adjustments by the artist to best serve the needs and direction of the workshop.
Evaluation methods
  • Continuous assessment through daily individual feedback and group discussions.
  • Final presentation of each participant’s work during the collective screening.
  • End-of-session evaluation and self-assessment form to measure satisfaction and learning outcomes.
  • Access to a shared alumni group for post-workshop dialogue and creative exchange.
After the training

Participants’ work may be featured through Venezia Photo’s communication channels (newsletter, website, social media).
A private online group will allow participants to stay connected, share projects, and continue discussions beyond the workshop.
ACCESSIBILITY

All efforts are made to accommodate participants with disabilities. Please contact us in advance for adaptation of conditions.

Language of instructor

French or English depending on the audience

Duration & location

San Servolo - 4 Days
Stefan Rappo
Stefan Rappo Sale price€1.530,00