1:1 MENTORSHIP WITH KAAT CELIS
Strategic guidance for photographers ready to rethink the direction of their work.
For photographers who already have a body of work and feel it is time to position their work and practice more clearly.
At a certain point in your career, the questions change.
Your work is no longer the main issue. You know your camera, you deliver quality, and you’ve already built experience with clients, projects or exhibitions.
And yet you feel there is still a gap between the work you make and the place it could take in the field.
Where do you position yourself? Which projects deserve your full attention?
How do you grow your income without losing the integrity of your work? And how do you make sure your photography is seen by the right people?
These are questions of direction, positioning and strategy. And that is exactly where this mentorship focuses.
In my 1:1 mentoring program, I work closely with a small number of photographers who have already built a practice and want to take a more deliberate next step.
Together we look at your work, your positioning and your business, and translate that into clear choices and concrete actions. It’s not a generic program but a six-month trajectory in which we work deeply on the future direction of your photography practice.
Why photographers work with Kaat Celis
My perspective on photography is shaped by working across many layers of the field.
Before founding De Donkere Kamer, I spent more than a decade in the media as a photo editor, including roles at Het Laatste Nieuws, Goedele magazine and as Chief of Photography at De Morgen.
In 2015 I founded De Donkere Kamer, which grew from a live photography show into an international platform with exhibitions, a podcast, educational programs and a community for photographers.
Over the years I have curated major exhibitions with photographers such as Helmut Newton and Edward Burtynsky, founded the AntwerpPhoto Festival, organised the Winner’s Program for the World Press Photo laureates, and regularly serve as a jury member for international photography awards and festivals.
Today I work closely with photographers as a mentor, helping them position their work more clearly and build a sustainable photography practice.
Because I have seen the field from many sides - as photographer, editor, curator and entrepreneur - I understand both the creative and the strategic questions photographers face.
The moment many photographers reach
At a certain point in your career, something changes.
Your work is strong, you’ve built experience and you’ve worked with clients, developed projects or exhibited your work.
From the outside, things seem to be moving forward and yet you start asking different questions.
Where do you position yourself in the field?
Which projects deserve your full attention and which ones don’t anymore?
How do you grow your income without losing the integrity of your work?
And how do you make sure your photography is seen by the right people?
These are questions of direction, positioning and strategy. And that is exactly where this mentorship focuses.
“Kaat asks questions about your work you would never ask yourself. That process forces you to look at your photography from a completely different perspective.”
— Ludo Luykx
What we work on in this mentorship
Every photographer’s trajectory is different. But over the years I’ve noticed that certain themes tend to return again and again when photographers reach this stage in their career.
In our mentoring, we often work on questions such as:
Positioning your work
Where does your work sit within the field of photography?
How do you describe what you do in a way that feels accurate and confident?
And how do you position your work so the right clients, curators or collaborators recognize its value?
Direction in your portfolio
Many photographers reach a moment where their work starts moving in different directions. Together we look at your portfolio and identify the threads that deserve your focus, so your work becomes more coherent and stronger over time.
Developing projects and opportunities
Whether you are working toward exhibitions, publications or commissioned work, we look at how to shape these opportunities in a way that fits your practice and long-term direction.
Building a sustainable practice
Photography is both a creative practice and a professional one. We look at pricing, positioning, visibility and networks, so your work can grow without losing its integrity.
These conversations are always rooted in your work and your ambitions. There is no fixed formula. Instead, we take the time to look closely at where you are today and what the most meaningful next steps could be.
“Kaat helps you turn ideas into concrete steps. Her guidance brought clarity and direction to my photography practice.”
— Bernhard Fitzgerald
How the mentorship works
This mentorship unfolds over six months.
That timeframe gives us the space to look closely at your work, reflect on the direction of your practice and translate insights into concrete actions.
We start with an in-depth three-hour session in Antwerp. During this meeting we review your portfolio, discuss your ambitions and identify the questions that deserve the most attention.
From there we define the priorities for the coming months.
After the kickoff session we meet once a month for a 90-minute conversation via Zoom. These sessions are where we reflect, evaluate progress and refine the direction of your work and practice.
Between sessions you can reach me through WhatsApp coaching during business hours, so questions or decisions never have to wait until the next meeting.
Throughout the six months we work closely together, allowing space for both strategic thinking and practical decisions that move your work forward.
“Kaat brings both extensive knowledge of photography and a sharp understanding of entrepreneurship. For photographers willing to engage fully in the process, the mentorship is a valuable investment.”
— Huis van Vier
Who this mentorship is for
This mentorship is designed for photographers who have already built a foundation in their work and practice.
You may recognise yourself in some of the following situations:
You have developed a body of work and gained experience with clients, projects or exhibitions.
You feel your work has potential, but you want more clarity about how to position it within the field.
You want to focus your energy on projects and opportunities that truly align with your work, instead of constantly adapting to whatever comes your way.
You are looking for thoughtful, honest conversations about your photography practice with someone who understands both the creative and professional side of the field.
And you are willing to reflect, experiment and make deliberate choices about the future direction of your work.
Who this mentorship is NOT for
This mentorship is probably not the right fit if you are just starting out with photography and still exploring the basics of your work.
It is also not suited for photographers who are mainly looking for quick results or ready-made formulas.
The process we work through requires curiosity, openness and the willingness to question your own assumptions.
But for photographers who are ready for that kind of conversation, it can become a turning point in how they approach their work and their practice.
Investment
Working together in this mentorship is a six-month commitment.
During that time we work closely on the direction of your photography practice, your positioning within the field and the choices that shape your work and business.
Because of the depth of this process, I only work with a limited number of photographers each year.
The investment is €4,900, excl. VAT.
NOW TEMPORARILY WITH BONUS: 6 months of access to my membership CONNECT
Prefer to pay in installments? That’s possible too:
6 monthly payments of €940
10 monthly payments of €588
If you feel this mentorship could be the right next step for your practice, you can apply using the form below (takes you 3 minutes). After reviewing your application, you will receive a link to schedule a conversation so we can explore whether working together would be a good fit.
“The one to one mentorship has given me a great deal so far. It brought clarity to my work and a feeling of direction that I had been missing. It also created a sense of accountability that helped me stay focused during moments when I felt stuck.”
— Shared anonymously at the request of the photographer.
If you feel this mentorship could be the right next step for your photography practice, you can apply using the form below.
I personally review every application and portfolio.
If I feel the mentorship could be a good fit, you will receive a link to schedule a conversation so we can explore whether working together makes sense at this stage of your practice.
Because I only work with a limited number of photographers each year, not every application will lead to a mentorship.
The next step
FAQs
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New mentorships usually begin several times per year depending on availability.
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This mentorship is intended for photographers who already have a body of work and some professional experience.
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Yes. Payment plans are available.
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You can apply and we will explore together whether this mentorship is the right step for you.
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Many photographers who join the mentorship already have several years of experience, a portfolio and an established practice.
The focus of this mentorship is not on technical skills, but on questions of direction, positioning and the future development of your work and practice.
That is often exactly the stage where thoughtful guidance and honest conversations can make the biggest difference.