75 and out: the end of the AIPP
The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP), Australia’s last remaining professional organisation for working photographers, has ceased operations effective immediately and an administrator has been appointed, marking the end of 75 years of representing professional photographers in Australia.
A statement issued by the AIPP indicated that financial losses due to COVID-19 were largely responsible for the predicament, but also mentioned that the organisation had been 'in a slow decline for more than a decade'.
The roots of the AIPP can be traced back to 1944 when photographers from various state professional photography associations gathered to form an Australian association with the aim to provide a united voice on behalf of photographers across the country.
Over the last 75 years, the AIPP contributed to the shaping of copyright and privacy laws in Australia and provided input into tertiary education for photographic training. For the thousands of members over the last three quarters of a century, it was a source of professional development, along with camaraderie and friendship.
The Institute has faced a number of significant challenges over the last few years. Back in 2018, it permanently closed its National Office which was followed closely by the resignation of the then National Board.
Meanwhile, in 2019 the AIPP was at the centre on an international controversy when it was forced to rescind numerous awards and later the membership of Lisa Saad, who was found to have appropriated an image by another photographer, and used clip art in a number of her AIPP award-winning images.
The AIPP’s statement places the blame for its situation on 'a devastating reduction in membership revenue', with an AIPP FAQ document confirming that over the last 20 months, more than 700 members were unable to meet their fee commitments. This shortfall of revenue impacted their ability to remain operational. The AIPP also indicated that this reduction accelerated a downward trend that had been observed over the past five years.
Despite efforts to reverse the decline, reinvigorate the AIPP for a new generation of image-makers, and align itself better with the arts industries, the Institute could not stem the losses and continue to operate.
Sections of the AIPP website (including the awards website) will close along with most AIPP e-mail addresses, and all AIPP social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter).
The full statement from the AIPP appears below.
AIPP Closes After 75 Years Of Serving Photographers
The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) today announce the closure of Australia’s leading body for photography after unprecedented financial pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The present iteration of the organisation was the latest in a series of entities that traces back to March of 1944, when photographers from various state professional photography associations gathered to form an
Australian association to provide a united voice on behalf of photographers. AIPP and its members throughout its history informed copyright and privacy laws in Australia, as well as providing input into tertiary education for photographic training. It also contributed to the professional development of thousands of Australian photographers who are recognised for their achievements both nationally and internationally, many of whom received the Order of Australia and other prestigious titles and awards. AIPP managed the World Photographic Cup teams from the competition’s inception in 2014 and achieved two World Cup wins (2019 and 2021) and a second placing (2018) for Australia.
AIPP had been in a slow decline for more than a decade. The current AIPP Board had significant plans and initiatives to reverse this decline, reinvigorate the AIPP for a new generation of image-makers, and align itself better with the arts industries. However, the pandemic has made it impossible to implement these changes.
Efforts are being made to preserve AIPP’s history and legacy. AIPP recognises the outstanding contributions of its volunteers, members and trade partners throughout its history in the pursuit of improving professional photography. Together we have built a community of proud and talented image makers that remains very strong – long may this continue.
AIPP will cease trading immediately and an Administrator will be appointed to manage the process in an orderly fashion as required by the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
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