Celebrating Excellence in Photography: A Spotlight on the Association of Photography
- Date: July 24, 2024
- Topic: Partnerships
- Contributors: Written by Peerspace Staff
The Association of Photography (AOP) has long been a pillar of the photography community, offering support and inspiration for UK photographers. Following Peerspace’s sponsorship of the AOP’s 2023 and 2024 Photography awards, we had the pleasure of chatting with Isabelle Doran, CEO of AOP, to understand more about the organisation’s mission and the significance of their upcoming awards.
Top image credit: © Frankie Turner – 39th AOP Photography Awards, 2023, Food & Drink Category, Gold Winner, published with kind permission from The Association of Photographers. All rights reserved.
The Legacy and Mission of AOP
Founded in 1968 by a group of professional photographers, the AOP has evolved from the Association of Fashion and Advertising Photographers into a dynamic trade association representing around 3,000 members today. As Isabelle Doran, who joined AOP in November 2021, explains, “Our mission is to protect, promote, and inspire.” This mission is realised through a combination of policy advocacy, community engagement, and professional development.
Isabelle, originally a photography graduate from Farnham Art College (now UCA), now manages the strategic direction of AOP, ensuring the organisation stays connected to the broader creative community. This includes engaging with the UK government and other representative bodies to support their members’ interests.
AOP’s Support for Photographers
AOP offers a tiered membership structure, catering to everyone from students to seasoned professionals. Students, who can join the association for free as part of their course representation, benefit from resources like the ‘Starting Out’ programme. This initiative equips graduates and non-professionals with essential business skills, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and the practicalities of running a photography business.
One of AOP’s most impactful initiatives is their annual photography awards, which have been a cornerstone of the organisation since the early 1980s.
“The awards have been our main vehicle to promote and inspire.”
– Isabelle Doran
The awards program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, continues to be a springboard for many photographers’ careers.
The Upcoming Photography Awards
The 39th AOP Photography Awards mark nearly four decades of recognising excellence in photography. This year’s event will be held at Village Underground in Shoreditch, with an expected attendance of around 600 people. Unlike typical formal award ceremonies, this event
encourages mingling and networking, creating a relaxed environment for photographers and commissioners to connect.
The awards cover ten categories, with portraiture traditionally attracting the most entries.
“Portraiture resonates deeply with people, reflecting the human experience.”
-Isabelle Doran
Other popular categories include food & drink, environment and sports photography, with a noticeable increase in submissions focusing on these themes.
The judging process is rigorous and impartial, featuring 30 judges to ensure diversity and fair representation. All entries are judged anonymously, focusing solely on the quality and impact of the images.
Why AOP Matters to Photographers
For many photographers, being a finalist or winning an AOP award can significantly boost their careers. As Isabelle highlights, “It’s traditionally helped launch the careers of many professional photographers.” The recognition from these awards not only brings prestige but also attracts the attention of commissioners, opening doors to new opportunities.
AOP’s commitment to nurturing talent is also evident in their various working groups, such as the f22 female photographers group and the Colourful AOP working group. These groups provide platforms for discussing industry challenges, offering portfolio reviews, and hosting events to support members’ professional growth.
Peerspace and AOP
Peerspace is honoured to sponsor the 39th AOP Photography Awards’ Portrait Category. Isabelle notes that sponsors play a crucial role in making the awards possible, while also gaining the opportunity to connect with the photography community. As she explains, “It helps the sponsors as well to build relationships with the photographers who enter by attending the event and connecting with the wider community.”
Platforms like Peerspace are invaluable for photographers looking to diversify their portfolios and find unique locations for their shoots.
“These days, there’s probably very few photographers who specialise in one thing and shoot in a single studio environment, so they need to be able to diversify where they shoot.”
– Isabelle Doran
Peerspace offers photographers the flexibility and variety needed to showcase their best work, making it easier for them to enter contests and gain exposure.
