Paola is a French photojournalist and documentary photographer based in New York City. With a degree in Political Science and Urban Development, she began her career in the public and development sector before transitioning to photojournalism in 2020.
Her topics of visual stories range from the use of waste management as a development tool in Benin, to being an undocumented Afghan refugee in Canada, or the cult of ancestors in the Voodoo religion. Her current long-term project, 'Silent Radar', explores the liminal space between physical and virtual reality, collaborating with users of the VRChat platform.
She is a member of the photographers' collective and press agency Hans Lucas, and has worked as a stringer for AFP (Agence France Presse) in Quebec.
She was awarded the Director’s Fellowship from the International Center of Photography, where she is currently pursuing the Documentary Practice & Visual Journalism program.
Contact information: paola.chapdelaine@gmail.com / +1 (332) 254-482
AWARDS / EXHIBITIONS
2023. "Breaking more boundaries" group exhibition, Culture Lab LIC, NYC (upcoming)
2023. Lucie Foundation - The Portrait Project Take Two. Finalist in the B/W category.
2023. 'Lifelines' OYC group exhibition, International Center of Photography.
2023. Women Street Photographers annual exhibition, NYC
2022. Selection in the 2022 Pride Project by Feminist and Art Feminist // Online exhibition + Artist Feature
2022. Trophée Femmes d'Impact laureate - artist category
2022. Laureate of the Pic for Change contest by Pic&Pick // Group exhibition at the Polka Factory, Paris, France
2020. 2 Honorable Mentions at the Paris Photography Awards
2020. Jury's pick and 3rd people's choice award, "Saveurs d'Australie" Contest, Wipplay
EDUCATION
2023. Documentary Photography & Visual Journalism, International Center of Photography (ICP), New York - Dean's scholarship
2022. Accepted at the Missouri Photo Workshop on the Bill & Duane scholarship (participation postponed due to acceptance at ICP)
2022. Selected alongside 6 other photographers to enter the mentorship of the french collective Item (participation postponed due to acceptance at ICP)
2016. Master in Urban Governance, Sciences Po
2014. Bachelor in Political Science, Sciences Po Bordeaux
Clients
AFP (Agence France Presse).
Le Devoir.
Pivot Québec.
The Logic.
Guiti News.
French Ministry of Ecology.
MSF (Doctors Without Borders).
Le Wagon coding school.
ArtUltra.
MUTEK.
