We are opening two supported places on this year’s Master in Portrait Photography for early-career photographers and visual storytellers based in Scandinavia. The programme starts in May 2026.
The grant is intended for applicants who show strong potential, serious commitment, and a clear motivation to develop their portrait practice at a professional level.
The grant covers 50% of the programme fee.
Who can apply
• Applicants based in Europe
• Applicants below the age of 30
• Early-career photographers or visual storytellers
• Applicants with a strong portfolio and clear motivation
• Applicants able to participate in the full programme
How to apply
Send a short written motivation (max. 200 words) and either a portfolio link or 10 selected images to helga@theilgaardacedemy.com.
Deadline:
1 May 2026 at 12:00 CEST
Read more about the programme here >>
I’m a visual artist and photographer, and over the past 20 years I’ve created a number of significant nationwide exhibitions and book publications — most recently the exhibitions I’m Here Now and The Rootless – We Who Remain.
I also work with communicating and teaching art and photography through workshops and talks, and I’ve helped hundreds of professional, independent and emerging photographers define their photographic language and make their images truly stand out.
I trained under Rigmor Mydtskov, Photographer to Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark, as well as at Fatamorgana – The Danish School of Art Photography, and the European Film College.
If you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact me at
or by phone on +45 26 84 40 43.
I’m a photographer and image retoucher, and an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop. I trained as a photojournalist and have worked as a photographer for more than 20 years for magazines, publishers and companies.
Alongside this, I have specialised in post-production and portrait retouching, as well as finishing fine art prints for museums and exhibitions. I also work on my own artistic projects.
Over the years, I’ve taught at institutions including Fatamorgana – The Danish School of Art Photography, and the Photography Programme under KTS/Next.
If you have any questions, you’re welcome to contact me at michael@theilgaardacademy.com or by phone on +45 31 79 94 79.
