AIPP swallows ACMP
It's finally happened!
The historic decision to combine Australia’s two main professional photographic bodies was made earlier today following six months of consultation between the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) and the Australian Commercial and Media Photographers (ACMP). The question of whether the AIPP and ACMP should merge has been floating around longer than I care to remember, although I’d hazard a guess to say that it’s a union that’s at least 12 years in the making.
Many believe that the move was inevitable, and just how the move will benefit members, and professionals as whole, will be closely monitored. Nevertheless, the move is seen as positive one for photographers generally. “Together we are stronger,” says AIPP President, Ross Eason. “With greater representation for commercial photographers, we can more effectively influence the industry with advocacy, standards and education.”
The move will also be welcomed by industry suppliers, partners and sponsors who can now better streamline their engagement with Australian professional photographers and not have to worry about supporting one organisation over the other, or split their sponsorship dollars.
Historically, each organisation has had a distinctly different focus – the AIPP being seen as the organisation for domestic photographers (wedding and portrait) and the ACMP representing commercial and editorial photographers. However, over the last few years, the composition of commercial photographers within the AIPP has steadily increased.
Members of the ACMP will still enjoy the same representation and be welcomed into the AIPP family with the ACMP logo and brand now representing a newly created Accredited Commercial and Media Photographers division of the AIPP. For consistency and continuity, the division will be managed by an operational board, which includes existing ACMP directors plus invited AIPP photographers.
With a photographic landscape that bears no relation whatsoever to what it looked liked when both organisation first began, any move that provides a stronger, more cohesive voice for working professional photographers can only be a great thing. “This union is in the best interests of the industry and all our members,” said ACMP President Richard Weinstein. “We encourage all professional photographers nationwide to belong to the organisation that represents them.” And not only will all members have greater access to more resources, better training and workshop options as well as networking opportunities, but no longer will photographers have to choose one organisation over the other.
The total membership of the AIPP now stands at roughly 3,600. Of this, approximately 1,950 are accredited members. Annuals fees are $466 for the first year, plus a $100 assessment fee to establish accreditation status. Thereafter, it’s $450 per year.