BIPP News
August 2020
Dear members
fund and worldwide profiling. And more on the competitions front, we are now looking for members to join the World Photographic Cup Challenge team – Richard Bradbury is looking for team members and our weekly image competition on Facebook is one of the ways you can show your work for Richard to see. On the people side, I’d like to welcome Joel Hansen who has joined us as social, marketing and communications coordina tor and offer my thanks to Jamie Morgan who has handed over the reins. Finally for now, we have been working recently on an inclusion and diversity policy for the organisation which will result in an inclusion council to help steer a vital area within the organisation and help attract new members. Headed by Sharron our office manager, in the September magazine we will introduce you to the council and explain its rationale in full. Martin Baynes, CEO, martin@bipp.com
I hope this update finds you well, and that work is starting to come back. I have spoken to a number of members who have been very busy since restarting – both portraiture and commercial photographers, some of which is pentup demand, some of which is new and incremental business. At this time of year, you would normally receive the next issue of the Photographer. After speaking with the editor, we have decided to delay the next issue of our magazine until the end of September. I am sure you will understand that a lot of the things we would have covered such as trade shows simply did not happen and various editorial fell off a cliff amongst lockdown. Between now and September we know we have so much to bring to you we felt it would be a great idea to do a bumper edition of the magazine to arrive with you by the end of September. That being said we still have a lot to convey to you right now, so in this newsletter we are introducing you to Scott Johnson who is chair of qualifications. Our qualifications session in September is fully booked and, within the entries, six members are going for Fellowship – this is incredibly exciting and below you can hear from the qualifications judges about what they hope to see and gain a little insight into what it’s all about for them. In the next issue of the Photographer we will show you the successful panels. The next available qualification will be at the AGM in November, and spots have started filling up already so please contact the office if you want a place. We have also started the process of electing new directors; this is a brand new thoroughly democratic system that all members can be involved with and is explained in full below. Our digital Licentiateship portal is now also live for members to upload their panel and supporting evidence. Also, here we are reporting on the amazing news that Karen Massey, one of our board members, has been elected to the Federation of European Professional Photographers (FEP) Board of Directors. I am also excited to announce that we have partnered with the Cosmos Awards, which will provide members with a 10% discount on entry to the competition that boasts a cash prize
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Time to vote in your board elections At the last AGM, we changed our Articles of Association to allow us to proceed with on-line services for governance. It almost feels fortuitous now that we took this course of action, as we find ourselves in this unique period of lockdown and often keeping in touch through technology. This year we will be using the services of Mi-Voice, an estab lished electoral services provider, which has substantial experience in the membership sector, to deliver electoral and governance processes on our behalf. What does this mean to me? The first process the BIPP will undertake is to identify new Board Directors. This month, every member will receive an email inviting them to visit the MiVoice online platform which is hosting our nomination site. Members can then nominate themselves to be a Board Director, and this year there is even an opportunity to recommend a fellow member that you might feel could do the role well. This is a new option for us. So please just visit the site to see what is happening and what you can do.
We will keep you informed of develop ments through the website and social media channels. We do not want anyone to miss out For any members who wish to get involved in any part of the process, but are either unable, or do not wish to use the online service then MiVoice will ensure you can be accommodated – contact MiVoice by phone +44 (0)2380 763987 or by email support@mivoice.com Where can I find out more about it? www.mi-voice.com
Why is the Institute doing this? The purpose of all of this is to get more members involved in running the BIPP, and also to get more members taking part in the democratic process of electing our post holders. What’s the process? The first notification to members will be for nominations and recommendations for the role of Board Director. When it is then time to vote you will be invited to do so and with just a few clicks of your mouse you can make your contribution if you want to. The pandemic has made the months ahead uncertain and at the moment we do not know if we will be able to hold a physical AGM. Therefore, we are working with Mi-Voice to ensure that whatever the circumstances are in November we will have a process in place that has the best member involvement possible.
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BIPP Director elected VP at FEP The ongoing battle for gender equali ty in the workplace remains fundamental in society’s progression into an open, inclusive and democratic place where all individuals can prosper within their chosen fields. Although macho bravado and gender bias seem archaic for most of us, it is still commonplace in industries across the globe – and the photography sector is no exception, as the trend of Karen Massey male domination is still visible in a career behind the lens. In June 2020, a positive shift towards equality within the photography sector came when one of our board of directors, Karen Massey, was elected as the Vice-President of the Federation of European Professional Photographers (FEP). First picking up a camera back in 2004 at age 34, Karen has excelled within the industry after beginning her career later in life and is now specialist in wedding, portrait and the corporate sectors of photography. Alongside this, Karen has become a leading figure for women photographers in the UK after starting an organisation in August 2019 called RISE, which supports aspiring female photographers to develop and grow their businesses successfully. The organisation also gives women a greater voice within the photography industry – that has had a history of being, and still is, predominately male-driven. Becoming a member of the BIPP in January 2019, Karen joined the board of directors in March 2020. In May this year, Karen went on to be elected as a director of the FEP where she represents the UK alongside 33 other European countries that support over 50,000 professional photographers. After sitting on the board for just a matter of weeks, Karen was elected Vice-President in June this year. Karen says: “It’s an honour to be elected as Vice-President at the FEP – I’ve long respected and admired the organisation as a professional photographer. To me, the organisation demonstrates the very best talent within the sector, and I’m excited to represent the UK and bring awareness to opportunities available for pho tographers from across Europe.” Martin Baynes commented: “Karen has been fantastic in her role as a director at BIPP and is playing a crucial role campaigning for gender equality for female photographers throughout the
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country. I look forward to continuing to work closely with FEP and Karen to create projects, competitions and exhibitions that showcase the highest standards of photogra phy from across the continent.” President of the FEP, Truls Jan Løtvedt said: “I am delighted that FEP has strength ened its engagement with BIPP. I believe we’re heading towards an exciting time with lots of challenges for our newly elected board. And now, additionally having Karen Massey as our new Vice-President fills me with confidence knowing her enthusiasm for the job, and also because of the insight, experience and skills she will bring to the position. Karen’s role will involve corre sponding with photographers that relate to her skillset and fields of interest, along with supporting FEP in more formal parts of the organisation. I’m looking forward to working with Karen in the coming years and having such a respected figure as an ambassador for the FEP.”
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Judging the BIPP’s qualifications It is almost time for the BIPP qualification assessments again! For those of you who are preparing your panels for September, you will know that it is a stressful, time consuming process. So why do it? Here, the seven assessment judges give a little insight and perspective. Scott Johnson (chair) Submitting for any photographic qualification is just as nerve wracking no matter at which level... in fact, I was more nervous submitting for my Licentiate than I was my wedding Fellowship! It’s the first rung of the ladder to being judged by our peers and if passed, a sense of relief as you feel like 'wow, I AM doing the right thing’. It’s no different submitting for Fellowship, but it’s by this point, in your heart of hearts, that you’ll know deep down if you’ve done enough. The qualification path, for those that choose to walk down it, is a path of frustration, but adulation once you reach the end; but is there an end? Does achieving a Fellowship mean you’ve completed photography? No – far from it – if anything, it’s just the start. Pass or fail, the experiences all of our members will gain from the process will, overall, translate to their day-to-day work and make them a better photographer. And, after all, that is what we are all striving to be. Catherine Beltramini BIPP qualifications are a benchmark of excellence, recognised around the world. With each qualification, you will achieve increasing levels of expe rience, skill and achievement. I found that this gave me a new challenge to focus on for each qualification. This is an amazing journey of growth and self discovery. This is about pushing yourself to be the very best that you possibly can be! On a personal level, it is incredibly rewarding to gain these prestigious qualifications. It also gives your clients the confidence that they are dealing with a photographer working to a professional standard. Whether you are going for your Licentiate, Associate or Fellowship qualification, I would strongly suggest getting a good
mentor to guide you through the process. Once you have selected your images for the panel, I would suggest getting test prints done before printing your final panel. Always use a good, reputable printing company and use the highest quality paper you can afford – it really does make all the difference. Your supporting evidence is incredibly important, too. This is the written part of your panel that will give judges a clearer idea of what your panel is all about and provides those extra details that cannot simply be seen in the images. I am really excited to see what the next panels will bring! I hope to see originality, diversity and the usual high standard of photography. Good luck to everyone going for their qualifications! Sean Conboy I find the qualification process fasci nating from the perspective of the entrant and judge. It is a great way to review your work, see where your photography is going and see what areas you should be pushing so you can raise the bar. Photography can be a lonely existence, so to have the chance to get mentoring and advice on your work from experienced photographers throughout the qualifications process is a great asset. This is were the BIPP comes into its own – giving the opportunity to gain hardearned experience in
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photography and business that can be obtained from such an diverse membership. As a judge it is our turn to put something back into the industry of photography which has given so much in so many ways to all of us. I really enjoy judging the qualification process, seeing panels of work in the printed form – it is a great privilege to see photogra phers reaching such high standards and hearing of their journey to this point.
Annemarie Farley I been mentor ing and judging for a few years now and find it a highly reward ing and inspir ing process so I’m honoured to be chosen to judge this year’s qualifications. This year there will be six members going for Fellowship which I find very encouraging especially as it’s been a very difficult year for photographers and businesses in general. I totally believe in the qualification process as it not only encourages the photographer to improve and strengthen their skills but shows clients that they have a recognised level of competence and an ability to deliver quality, creativity and professionalism. This year, the Licentiate has been an online submission which I believe makes it more achievable to step onto the qualifica tion ladder. The online process streamlines the qualification giving members more time to spend on perfecting the images they are going to submit. It saves the ‘starting out’ photographer a lot of money as they don’t have to get 20 images printed. However, if a member and mentor decide that the work is bordering on Associate level, they have the option to print out their panel and be at their qualification judging in person. This is a fantastic boost to someone that is clearly showing more promise and skill. I’m really looking forward to seeing the Fellowship panels as this will be some of the finest work in the industry. A Fellowship panel to me should show an individualist approach, well thought out composition, a creative use of lighting and most importantly the wow factor. I also want to see the devel opment in the evidence that has led them to produce this work; the photographic journey they have been on.
Saraya Cortaville In the last few months, let’s face it times have been strange, lives have been completely turned upside down, the loss of loved ones, the loss of jobs, the loss of freedom and even more trivial things have changed the way in which we have viewed the world. Many of us have had to adapt, rethink and reset the way we live our lives! On a personal note I have noted the upturn in people approach ing me for mentoring and feedback on their photographic work. What has struck me is that this time has given photographers as artists the head space to critically appraise and discover new and old skills that may have been lost in the day-to-day of running a busy photography business. Once this self development has begun, many have decided to brave the process of qualification and collate a body of work. Whether this be for a Licentiateship, Associateship or the highest accolade the Fellowship, the action of finding a mentor, de ciding on a cohesive panel of work and putting together a working profile can be one of the most inspiring and enlightening develop ments in a photographer’s career. It forces you to be fully aware of the direction in which your work is developing and become highly critical of the imagery you want to show to the world. Good luck to those photographers about to submit for qualification – I admire your dedication to your craft and your bravery in producing a body of work to present to your peers. Whether your panel is successful or not, this should only ever be seen as a positive learning experience.
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