Chimwasmp.org
Title
ASMP : Chicago/Midwest
Description
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.
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.
