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About Us:
History and Purpose
Chapter Leaders
The ASMP Advantage
Code of Ethics
Copyright Information
White Papers
ASMP Chapters
ASMP National
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History
The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) was founded in 1944 by a handful of the world's leading
photojournalists. It was a time when photographers were forced to shoot on speculation and credit lines
were unheard of. ASMP was born out of need. Within a few years the ranks of the Society swelled. Most magazine
photographers of reputation were members. Standards were established and speculative shooting was replaced with
guarantees. Credit lines began to appear more regularly. Photographers began to retain ownership and control of
their images. In a few short years the Society had become the champion of photographers' rights.
As magazine photographers began to diversify so did the Society. Growth continued throughout the years, from the
original eight founders to more than five thousand members today. The Society has changed over the years in many ways.
One thing has not changed - the ASMP is still the champion of photographers' rights. ASMP is a tradition of
photographers helping photographers.
Purpose
The ASMP has three purposes:
To protect and promote the interests of photographers whose work is for publication.
To promote high professional standards and ethics.
To cultivate friendship and mutual understanding between photographers.
ASMP has brought together photographers from every discipline. Advertising, annual reports, architecture corporate,
editorial, fashion, medical, special effects, sports and stock are but a few of the over twenty-five specialties
listed by members in the ASMP Membership Directory. Regardless of discipline or specialty, photographers share common
problems. Copyright and business concerns do not vary greatly. Specialties require special adjustments to major themes.
ASMP provides guidance to all, by calling on the wealth of knowledge possessed by its most successful members in every
discipline and asking them to share their knowledge with others. ASMP publishes information for its members on a regular
basis. It designs and stages seminars across the country through its network of chapters in most of the major cities.
It actively lobbies against state and federal laws that have detrimental effects on photographers. It has been effective
in changing tax laws, right of privacy laws and in shaping proposed legislation. It has participated in legal actions
to defend photographers' rights and caused major changes in the applicability of federal laws through court action.
It filed one of the briefs in the Supreme Court which helped limit the application of work for hire to photographers.
The ASMP is highly recognized in the industry as the association of photographers that has the determination and the
clout to make change happen. ASMP fosters the belief that while photographers are competitive, they have complementary
interests, which are best advanced by complementary action. Through its chapters, Bulletins and newsletters, meetings
and seminars, ASMP offers forums in which members can share ideas, concerns and fellowship.
ASMP is photographers helping photographers.
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Copyright 2008 ASMP Chicago/Midwest Chapter
P. O. Box 804246, Chicago, IL 60680-4104 T 312-733-7798
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