The Association of Photographers (AOP), often referred to colloquially as the AOP, is a

trade association A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association, sector association or industry body, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry. An industry trade association partic ...

for British & European professional photographers predominantly, but also has members based globally.

History

It was formed in London, United Kingdom in 1968 as the Association of Fashion and Advertising Photographers by a small group of photographers (later joined by editorial photographers to become AFAEP). United by a common aim to challenge the then unreasonable demands of model agencies, it brought together professional photographers in order to protect their rights and promote photography.

Structure

Constituted as a not-for-profit trade association, today its membership is around 1,000 photographers and assisting photographers. It is also supported by photographers' agents, printers and industry service-providers, as well as manufacturers and suppliers of photographic equipment. The AOP also has 52 affiliated courses at HE and FE level and plays a significant role in promoting, maintaining and developing relationships between all levels of higher and further education and the professional industry. It is situated at Studio 9, Holborn Studios, 49/50 Eagle Wharf Road, London, N1 7ED.

Function

Since its formation, the principal aims of the AOP have remained the same, and through their campaigning and education work they have improved rights for all photographers. In so doing they created a unique community of professionals. They negotiated the reforms which led to the

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988c 48, also known as the CDPA, is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that received Royal Assent on 15 November 1988. It reformulates almost completely the statutory basis of copyright law ( ...

, as well as developing the widely accepted AOP standards of practice, which afford photographers greater protection and control of their work; and wrote ''Beyond the Lens,'' the definitive guide to rights, ethics and best business practice in professional photography. The Association publishes a great deal of information of particular interest to all photographers concerned with their intellectual property rights and business practice, such as their Copyright4Clients web pages on the AOP's website.

Awards

They also created the AOP Awards, an awards scheme for AOP members, "among the most coveted and influential prizes in the commercial image-making industry". It covers Professional, Assisting Photographer & Student photography. In addition, the AOP runs a competition that is open to all photographers, which attracts professionals and amateurs alike. All the winning images from each of the Awards are published in a corresponding book and all images are exhibited at a prominent London venue after the winners have been announced.

Publications

The AOP produces and publishes a book, titled ''Beyond the Lens'' which is a collection of advice and guidance for best practice aimed at professional photographers in the UK, working at all levels.

Past presidents

Past Presidents of the Association of Photographers (the role was referred to as Chairman) *68 - 69 Ray Harwood *69 - 70 Michael Boys *70 - 71 Anthony Blake *71 - 72 Anthony Blake *72 - 73 Philip Modica *74 - 75 Philip Modica *75 - 76 Christopher Joyce *76 - 77 Christopher Joyce *77 - 78 Max Forsythe *78 - 79 Max Forsythe *79 - 80 Alan Brooking *80 - 81 Alan Brooking *81 - 82 Alan Brooking *82 - 83 Bryce Attwell *83 - 84 Bryce Attwell *84 - 85 John Timbers *85 - 86 Robert Golden *86 - 87 Geoffrey Frosh *87 - 88 Rob Brimson *88 - 89 Rob Brimson *89 - 90 Mike Laye *90 - 91 Alan Brooking / Bob Harris *91 - 92 Bob Harris *92 - 93 Bob Harris *93 - 94 Clive Frost / Max Forsythe (Interim Chairman) *94 - 95 Martin Beckett *95 - 96 Michael Harding *96 - 97 Michael Harding *97 - 98 Tessa Codrington *98 - 99 Sandra Lousada *99 - 00 Derek Seaward *00 - 01 Adam Woolfitt *01 - 02 Grant Smith *02 - 03 Grant Smith *03 - 04 Anthony Marsland *04 - 05 Anthony Marsland *05 - 06 Michael Harding *06 - 07 Michael Harding *07 - 08 Richard Maxted *08 - 09 Martin Brent *09 - 10 Simon Leach *19 - (current) Tim Flach

References

External links

* {{Authority control Trade associations based in the United Kingdom British photography organisations Organizations established in 1968 Media and communications in the London Borough of Hackney 1968 establishments in the United Kingdom Photography awards