About

Founded in 1997, Paris Photo is dedicated to photography and image-based art. Since its inception, the fair has brought together galleries, publishers and artists, reflecting the evolving landscape of the medium.

From historical works to contemporary and digital practices, its scope has expanded alongside broader shifts in photography over the past three decades. The introduction of curated sectors has progressively structured the fair, highlighting emerging scenes, publishing and new forms of image-making.

Held annually in Paris, the fair has developed in parallel with the transformations of the medium, bringing into conversation different periods, geographies and artistic approaches.

1997

The first edition of Paris Photo at the Carrousel du Louvre was launched by Rik Gadella and welcomed sixty internationally renowned galleries and art publishers from over twelve countries.

2011

Paris Photo moves to the historic Grand Palais. An ambitious public program is launched including special exhibitions and the Conversation series.

2012

Paris Photo has created the Paris Photo-Aperture Book Awards in collaboration with the Aperture Foundation. The Book Prize celebrate the contribution of the book to the history of photography. Three prizes are awarded at the fair: First PhotoBook, PhotoBook of the Year, and Photographic Catalogue of the Year. Today, the awards are recognized as an important reference for artists and publishers across the world.

2013

Paris Photo crosses the Atlantic to Los Angeles’ legendary Paramount Pictures Studios for three important editions from 2013 to 2015.

2015

In 2015, Paris Photo introduces Prismes, presenting a selection of exceptional projects, large formats, series and large-scale installations.

2018

Initially called Curiosa, Emergence sector supports young international galleries and artists with an attractive offer since 2018. Showcasing solo artists’ shows centred on a specific project, galleries show a new project or one that is presented by a young gallery.

Curators: Martha Kirzenbaum (2018), Osei Bonsu (2019), Shoair Mavlian (2021), Holly Roussel (2022), Anna Planas (2023-2024)

Same year, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture was created the Elles x Paris Photo programme which highlights the work of women photographers. Since it was created in 2018, Elles x Paris Photo has helped increase the representation of women in the fair, which has gone from 20% to 38% of artists presented. Created within the fair, a curated path is devised by an invited curator.

Elles x Paris Photo curators: Fannie Escoulen (2018), Karolina Ziebinska-Lewandowska (2019), Nathalie Hershdorfer (2021), Federica Chiocchetti (2022), Fiona Rogers (2023), Raphaëlle Stopin (2024)

2021-2023

Paris Photo was temporarily relocated to the Palais Éphémère between 2021 and 2023 due to renovation work at Grand Palais.

2023

In 2023, Paris Photo was the first European art fair to dedicate a section of its program to the digital. Curated by Nina Roehrs, a specialist in digital art, the sector showcases a selection of contemporary art galleries and curated platforms at the forefront of new technologies, presenting artists who integrate digital realities into their work.

2024

In 2024, Paris Photo returns to the Grand Palais, after a restoration of unprecedented scale. The fair has returned to its iconic space, now expanded to over 21,000 square meters, offering an even more immersive and prestigious experience for photography enthusiasts from around the world.

On this occasion, the Voices sector was launched inviting renowned curators to create a proposal centred on contemporary themes in order to spotlight an artistic scene or the use of a particular medium in a shared space.

Curators:
2024: Azu Nwagbogu, Sonia Voss et Elena Navarro
2025: Devika Singh & Nadine Wietlisbach