Professional Organizations

American Society of Media Photographers
The ASMP (originally the American Society of Magazine Photographers established in 1944) has been a powerful voice in the business, ethical and legal aspects of professional photography.

Editorial Photographers
Editorial photographers is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and profitability of editorial photography (photography for use in magazines and newspapers). Excellent site! See the resources section for info on stock photography, preservation of images on CDs and more.

Graphic Artists Guild
". . . committed to improving conditions for all creators of graphic art and raising standards for the entire industry". The Graphic Artists Guild site has information about contracts between business and graphic artists.

Advertising Photographers of America
The APA was founded in 1981 to "promote the highest standards of business practice within the industry, and to promote an awareness and understanding of the role of advertising and commercial photographers within the creative community." This site contains information on current rates and practices of advertising photographers (U.S.A.). See the "Licensing Model" (go to the "Resources" page then "Business Manual") at the APA site for a well-written explaination of the licensing model used by most photographers.

Society for Imaging Science and Technology
The major goal of the Society is to keep members aware of the latest scientific and technological developments in the field of imaging. Today the Society continues a tradition of quality begun in 1947 as SPSE, the Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers.

GAIN - Graphic Arts Information Network
Everything you wanted to know about graphic arts and the printing industry. Now the site for the GATF - Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, a non-profit industry group founded in 1924. The bookstore at GAIN has a selection of publications concerning graphic arts and print production.

The Advertising Club of Toronto
Made up of a cross-section of advertising people including media, creatives, production and management. The Advertising club holds events throughout the year. Free membership!

Institute of Communications and Advertising
Founded in 1905, the Institute of Communications and Advertising (ICA) is an association of Canadian advertising agencies. The ICA, in addition to its other activities, provides courses for advertising industry professionals to increase skill levels within the industry.

Special Interest Group - Graphics (SIGGRAPH)
SIGGRAPH is part of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), one of the first professional computer organizations formed in 1947. SIGGRAPH is dedicated to the generation and dissemination of information on computer graphics and interactive techniques.