THE ACADEMY
Established in September 2020, BECA Before Creating Academy is a private photography school that offers a range of photography courses aimed at different levels. Our mission is to provide talented photographers with quality educational development opportunities and to encourage and support their professional realisation. Last but not least, BECA is committed at fostering creativity, individual approach and visual storytelling.
Over 400 students
More than 1000 applicants
A leader in documentary photography and visual storytelling education in Bulgaria
Official diploma and certificates
Over 200 hours of learning classes and hands-on exercises
Individual approach and creative support
International guest speakers and access to exclusive content
In partnership with Magnum Photos
The Academy's curriculum is divided into three levels and follows specially designed content and activities through which students gain the necessary knowledge, experience and inspiration to continue pursing a career in the field of documentary photography. It is committed to provide students with great opportunities to learn and support them in becoming successful photographers. The courses are organised in small groups with an individual creative approach. BECA is a great learning experience and give the students an opportunity to discover their own visual language and understand themselves as visual storytellers.
The desire to tell visual stories that matter, the passion to share them and our mission to foster this process are the pillars that unite our community. The new BECA Center of Visual Storytelling unites all our initiatives (the Academy, BECA Foundation and BECA Publishing) and is comprising of main classroom, a visionary lounge, a conceptual photography gallery and office area.
THE FOUNDATION
BECA Foundation is a nonprofit organisation that is aimed at expanding visual culture and creativity in photography, activating new audiences and supporting emerging photographers. Through innovative educational opportunities and creative projects, BECA Foundation encourages the development of talented young photographers and aims to promote the importance of visual storytelling. Founded in 2022, BECA Foundation was created to make this mission possible in collaboration with partners, sponsors and value chains.
OBJECTIVES
- supporting talented photographers
- expanding the visual culture in Bulgaria
- activating new audiences
- stimulating creativity and different approaches to photography
- quality educational opportunities for beginners and emerging photographers
- addressing social problems and important stories through photography
- preservation of photography as a cultural and historical heritage
- the power of visual narrative and the art of photography
- photography and visual storytelling as an innovative approach in communication
- talks about the history of photography
- photo contests, grants and exchange of knowledge
- encouraging competitiveness and supporting the sustainability in the industry
activities
- organisation of exhibitions and events
- educational initiatives
- publishing (photo books, prints, magazine etc.)
- partnerships with NGOs, universities and other related institutions
- collaboration with media and brands
- international benchmarking and value chains
- sponsorship and donations
- participation in different international meetings, festivals and other cultural initiatives
- applications for European funding
- corporative sponsorship
- PR campaigns and media strategies
- researches, marketing analysis and information campaigns
- photography archive
EVENTS
THE DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHER NIKOLA SAEV PRESENTS HIS FIRST SOLO EXHIBITION "LENADIA"
GRAND OPENING OF THE PHOTO EXHIBITION "LENADIA" AT BECA BEFORE CREATING ACADEMY
OPEN TALK ABOUT THE POSITIVE EFFECTS OF DOCUMNETARY PHOTOGRAPHY ON PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
THE PHOTO BOOK "LENADIA", PART OF A SERIES DEDICATED TO THE BECA STUDENTS
BECA FOUNDATION PRESENTS A SOLO PHOTO EXHIBITION OF ACADEMY'S GRADUATE LORA STAVREVA
"VACATIONERS" BY LORA STAVREVA, BECA CENTER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
A GUIDED TALK IN THE EXHIBITION "VACATIONERS" WITH STUDENTS FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARTS
VALENTINA VLADIMIROVA' S PROJECT "MAGNOLIAS" LOOKS AT YOUNG WOMEN AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
GRAND OPENING OF THE PHOTO EXHIBITION "MAGNOLIAS", BECA CENTER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
BACKSTAGE OF THE "MAGNOLIAS" EXPO INSTALLATION, BECA CENTER OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
THE publishing
Despite the fact that the Internet can certainly work in favour of photographers, especially when it comes to the popularity of images, we believe that there is no better way for visual artists to present their work than a photography book. This is why we also established BECA Publishing aimed at supporting emerging photographers as their photography deserves to "have a body" and become a part of the real world.
TITLES
#1 Photo book "Collapse", Dimitri Stefanov
#2 Photo booklet "Lenadia", Nikola Saev
#3 Photo booklet"Vacationers", Lora Stavreva
#4 Photo booklet "Magnolias", Valentina Vladimirova
#5 30 Prints Envelope "Prima", Dimitri Stefanov
#6 Photo book "Prima", Dimitri Stefanov (Upcoming Title)