60 Years of History, Excellence and Activism Celebrated on American Society of Media Photographers Anniversary Web Site

In 1944, a handful of the world’s leading photojournalists felt it necessary to come together in New York to form a group that would demand the establishment of professional rights and working conditions, as well as fair compensation for the use of their images.

Today, that group - the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)—has grown to more than 5,000 members in 40 chapters nationwide and in many foreign countries.

And as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations, which will culminate in a major birthday event this coming autumn, ASMP has just put up a special area on its web site to honor the past, consider the present and look ahead to the future of photography and the Society.

For members and non-members alike, the site can be found at http://www.asmp.org/60th/.

The content of the site, which will be added to on a regular basis throughout the anniversary year, includes:

* Interviews with pioneering photographer-members of ASMP. Presently, Q-and-A sessions with photographer-filmmaker Arnold Eagle and aviation photographer Ben Ross are available online.

* A complete timeline of ASMP history.

* Notable clips from past issues of the ASMP publication, The Bulletin.

* A “scrapbook” of text and images showing important and interesting aspects of ASMP’s and photography’s last 60 years.

* A members-only “memory book”—a forum in which members can remember the role that membership in ASMP has played in their personal and professional lives.

Coming soon will be additional features, including a 60th anniversary gallery of great photos taken by ASMP members.

For sixty years, the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) has been the premier trade association for promoting and protecting the interests of working publication photographers. Membership in ASMP continues to be recognized worldwide as a commitment to professionalism, quality, good ethics, and as a sign of proven experience. Founded in 1944 by a handful of the world’s leading photojournalists, ASMP has grown to over 5000 members in 40 chapters in the United States and in many foreign countries. ASMP is built on the cornerstones of education, information, and advocacy. ASMP members are drawn from every photographic specialty - advertising, annual reports, corporate/industrial, architecture, underwater, editorial, fashion, medical, sports, special effects, and more - but are held together by their common problems and concerns. ASMP calls upon the wealth of information available from within its experienced membership and from industry leaders to develop solutions that work. ASMP has the determination and clout to make its voice heard. ASMP is photographers helping photographers through community, culture, commerce, and publications.