2026 Mentorship Program

Building a life in photography demands more than creative vision alone. It’s about learning the craft, navigating the realities of business, and finding ways to stay creatively engaged over the long term. After nearly two decades as a full-time photographer, I know how fragile that balance can be—and how essential community and encouragement are in sustaining it. I’ve been shaped by those who supported my work, and I’m motivated to pass that same sense of possibility and guidance forward.

With that, I’m announcing a sixth year of the Mentorship Program with Paul Zizka Photography! There is no money exchanged with this experience – just pure hands-on teaching and learning. This mentorship is for a photographer preparing to make the leap into full-time professional work—or for someone seeking to sharpen both their craft and business foundations to move confidently to the next level.

The program will be customized for the chosen candidate based on their skills, interests, and areas for improvement. The structure of the Mentorship Program has changed, so please review this information carefully.

Mentorship Includes:

• 4 x 1.5-hour Zoom calls with Paul Zizka Photography.

  • Paul has a rigorous travel schedule, but we will work to deliver these quarterly, or as needed.

  • The mentorship program provides access to both Paul Zizka and our Sales and Marketing Manager, Meghan J. Ward, who is responsible for e-commerce, branding, image licensing, print shop, back-end workflows, and more.

• Call recordings, with a transcript and meeting notes provided in a dedicated Google Drive.

• Templates and resources fine-tuned over nearly 20 years of business, as per your specific areas of need and interest.

• Access to Paul and Meghan for simple, focused follow-up questions, as their availability allows.

• Free lifetime access to Fuelled by Creativity, our online photo education platform, valued $50/year.

Program Details:

→ The Mentorship Program will officially run from April 20, 2026, through April 20, 2027.

→ Candidate can be located anywhere in the world.

→ The successful applicant must have a focus within the genres that comprise Paul’s expertise (review his portfolios).

→ All applicants receive a one-year free upgrade to Fuelled by Creativity (we will send an opt-in after you apply).

→ Any questions about the program can be directed to inquiries@zizka.ca.

Apply by February 15, 2026, using the form below.

The successful applicant will be notified by March 15, 2026.