For more than three decades, Djamal Benmokhtar had dedicated himself to photography. Alongside a full-time career as a pilot, he accumulated an immense archive of images and lived experiences, driven by a deep desire to tell meaningful stories. Yet for many years, that desire remained trapped beneath layers of disorganization, self-doubt, and a lack of clear direction.
When Djamal joined the Mentorship Program, he was not lacking commitment or sensitivity. He was overwhelmed. He carried multiple long-term ideas, thousands of images, and a strong emotional connection to his subjects, but no clear structure to transform that material into coherent, visible work.
Through the mentorship, he learned how to organize his projects, define clear themes, and commit to fewer stories at a time.
This shift changed not only how he worked, but how he saw himself.
From the beginning, our work together focused on bringing order to chaos. Not by simplifying his ambition, but by giving it a framework. The mentorship became a space where Djamal could slow down, step back from urgency, and learn how to think strategically about his work. We addressed fundamentals that are often overlooked but essential in long-term documentary practice: focus, sequencing, editing, consistency, and visibility.
One of the most important breakthroughs for Djamal was realizing that strong images alone are not enough.
A central pillar of Djamal’s journey has been his long-term project Le Voyage (The Journey), documenting the lives of three migrants over several years since their arrival in Europe. The work demanded patience, empathy, and sustained commitment. As the project matured, so did his confidence. Being shortlisted as a finalist in the LensCulture Awards became a powerful moment of recognition.
His work was later published in the French magazine Epic, reinforcing a growing sense of legitimacy and belief in his voice.
At the same time, Djamal began laying the foundation for another deeply personal project: Aviation Chronicles, a book that traces his own journey to becoming a pilot. What began decades earlier as lived experience gradually revealed itself as a photographic narrative worth sharing with the world.
An essential part of Djamal’s progress was learning to work realistically within the constraints of his life. Rather than fighting his professional and personal reality, he learned to accept it and build around it with discipline and intention. The mentorship helped him understand that consistency matters more than speed, and that progress is possible even when time is limited.
As his clarity increased, opportunities followed. Djamal was selected for the prestigious Descubrimientos program at PhotoEspaña Photo Festival and secured an important exhibition with Doctors of the World for his migrant project. More recently, the submission we worked on together for Visa pour l’Image, one of the most respected photography festivals in the world, was accepted.
Showing his work at Visa pour l’Image was a dream come true. For Djamal, it marked a moment where years of quiet, persistent work finally met visibility and recognition.
Beyond results, what stands out most in Djamal’s testimonial is the depth of the transformation.
Whether on the field or in moments of doubt, the mentorship became a steady point of support. A place to reflect, regain perspective, and move forward with intention.
Looking back, Djamal sees his journey clearly. What once felt scattered now feels structured. What once felt overwhelming now feels possible. His work has found direction, his projects have gained visibility, and his confidence as a storyteller has grown.
Today, his focus is clear: to continue sharing the stories of migrants with consistency and depth, and to bring Aviation Chronicles fully into the world. His story is a powerful reminder that transformation does not come from shortcuts, but from clarity, structure, and sustained commitment.
Djamal’s journey reflects the essence of the Mentorship Program: helping photographers move from confusion to clarity, from isolation to confidence, and from years of invisible effort to work that is seen, shared, and valued.
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