Image Makers Association Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of Country throughout Australia.
We recognise their continuous connection to the lands, waters, culture and communities, on and within which we work.
We respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this website may contain images or names of deceased people.
independent ADVOCACY.
REPRESENTING AUSTRALIAN professional and emerging photographers THROUGH education AND INDUSTRY CONNECTION.
SUPPORTING OUR MEMBERS IN DISPUTES OVER UNLAWFUL USE OF THEIR IMAGES AND MORAL RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS.
ColLaborating with industry professionals to protect and promote THE rights of professional photography in australia.
CELEBRATING AND PROMOTING THE WORK OF OUR MEMBERS.
INCLUSive - We are a single tier association where all members are valued equally.
WhatsApp Group
Image Makers Association Australia mediates a Members Only WhatsApp group, created to provide a quick and easy platform to professionally connect members with each other.
The group provides a space for members to find assistants, answer technical questions and promote Assistant/Emerging Members.
You can find the link HERE or for Assisting/Emerging & Student Members HERE.
2024 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Applications for our 2024 Mentorship Program are now open. There are five mentorships available, with one mentee again to receive $5000 worth of camera gear of their choice, generously provided by Nikon.
Nikon Australia is a long standing supporter of the imaging community - from working professionals, students, media, and emerging creators. As a brand that continues to deliver innovative product solutions for creatives, the alignment with Image Makers Association Australia is one that will allow even greater understanding of how to best to support an ever changing industry.
Many photographers will agree that engaging with an industry professional they look up to and admire has been an invaluable source of information and inspiration, setting them on their pathway to success and forging long term relationships and friendships.
No matter how many forums you join, there is something to be said about genuine connection with an individual. Mentoring is about building long standing relationships and swapping knowledge for knowledge.
All Student & Assistant/Emerging Members who join Image Makers Association Australia on or before 31st MAY 2024 are eligible to apply to be mentored by one of Australia’s pre-eminent photographers who have generously donated their time to support the development and evolution of emerging talent in Australia.
All applications will be considered by the mentors, with successful candidates announced on 31st July 2024. The Program of Mentorship will commence at a time agreed between mentor and the successful candidate and will include:
12 months mentoring
Monthly 1 hour mentoring sessions to be mutually arranged
2 photo shoot attendances over the course of the year providing an opportunity to observe and understand the mentor’s processes and professional practice.
After 5 months of working with their mentor, each mentee will be asked to present two images which have come about as a result of their engagement/relationship; they will also present a brief outline of how these images were informed by mentor feedback and complete a brief survey about their experience. Feedback will also be sought directly from the mentors. From there, the IMAA Committee will be responsible for selecting one successful mentee to receive $5000 worth of camera equipment of their choosing, generously provided by Nikon. An outcome will be considered successful based on how much initiative, engagement, respect and professional conduct has been shown towards the mentors themselves who are donating their time to this program as well as the photographic outcome presented.
TIMELINE
31st May – deadline for applications from assistant/emerging & student members
30th June – 2024 mentees announced
July until November – mentees engage with their mentors, seek feedback and work on their skills.
30th November – due date for at least two image submissions by mentees along with survey response and written piece about experience of engaging with mentor.
December – January – communications manager to collate submissions for committee to review and select recipient of Nikon prize.
31st January 2025 - announce Nikon equipment award recipient along with releasing 2025 mentorship program
ADVoCACY
In 2023 Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to represent the interests and needs of Australian Image Makers at roundtable consultation processes regarding copyright. A series of roundtables was held with key stakeholders on copyright priorities and emerging issues. The purpose of these discussions was to develop practical and achievable copyright reform proposals for the government to consider and potentially take forward with broad stakeholder support.
Image Makers Association Australia lobbied on behalf of image makers throughout Australia, advocating for the upholding of existing copyright laws, and best practice to improve implementing them. Our surveys produced valuable data that was used to present to government with the aim of supporting Image Makers across Australia to continue to run sustainable and profitable businesses.
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Image Makers Association Australia has been invited by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to be a member of the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG), as announced by the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, on 5 December 2023. One initial meeting of the group was held in February 2024 with more to follow later in the year. The initial focus of the group is on the use of inputs and data that are used to train AI models. After work on inputs has progressed, the department proposes the CAIRG consider issues relating to outputs.
Image Makers Association Australia continues to advocate at these meetings for the rights of image-makers to be upheld with particular emphasis on the need for owners of AI systems to ensure that all material used as inputs for their businesses is licensed in accordance with applicable copyright laws.
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On 4 December 2023, the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus KC MP chaired the fourth and final roundtable on copyright for the year in Canberra. This roundtable was attended by Vice President Ben Guthrie.
Participants reflected on the outcomes of previous roundtables and potential next steps on each of the 5 reform issues discussed in detail this year, should the government decide to take them forward.
The Attorney-General announced that the government will establish a copyright and AI reference group as an outcome from the roundtables.
A summary of the meeting is HERE.
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This roundtable was attended by Vice President Ben Guthrie who participated in conversations relating to Image Makers. The meeting included a session on day one covering the implications of artificial intelligence on copyright, and then on day two a discussion of issues relating to the definition of ‘broadcast’.
At this meeting with government we advocated for maintaining and strengthening the rights of our members, using data collected from our recent survey on AI.
A summary of the meeting is available HERE.
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Image Makers Association Australia prepared a response to the 'Supporting responsible AI: discussion paper’ for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. In preparing our submission we conducted a survey of our members and other commercial photographers on their opinions on how emerging AI technology is impacting their photography businesses. The vast majority of topics canvassed therein relate to copyright.
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Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to contribute to the second Ministerial Roundtable on Copyright in June 23 run over two half-days.
The session focused on
a limited liability scheme for the use of orphan works (that is, where the copyright owner cannot be found)
quotation from copyright material
use of copyright material in remote learning environment
Vice President Ben Guthrie attended and participated in conversations relating to Image Makers.
A summary of the meeting is available HERE
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Led by Ben Guthrie, our volunteer committee spent significant effort preparing a survey of photographers throughout Australia, allowing us to provide data and an informed response to the Government Copyright Enforcement Review public consultation process.
The Government Copyright Enforcement Review addressed questions around challenges in relation to Copyright Infringement and the economic impact on businesses.
WHY JOIN IMAGE MAKERS ASSOCIATION Australia?
We are passionate about the Association and continue to build our capacity relying on Membership growth to achieve this.
Image Makers Association Australia is a not-for-profit organisation run by a Volunteer Committee and two part time staff members. We are looking to continue to build our capacity and rely on growth of Membership to achieve this. Membership fees cover the ongoing costs of running the organisation, with all funds directed to furthering core business on behalf of Members.
Being a Member of Image Makers Association Australia ensures your voice can become part of the conversation too. We are here to listen to concerns Members have in their own area/s of practice and offer support along the way. There are also opportunities and a wealth of information available in the Members Only area of the website, which will be fully accessible once you are signed up.
Financial support is crucial, strength in numbers equally so. The more Members we add to our collective voice, the greater the impact we have. This is true whether it’s a government submission we’re making around copyright law or advocacy for change to awards entry or contract terms.
ASSISTANT/EMERGING MEMBERSHIP This category of membership is intended for people starting their career in photography. Photography assistants and emerging photographers are welcome and encouraged to become Members of Image Makers Association Australia. You are eligible for this discounted category of Membership while you are earning less than 50% of your income from your own photography jobs and have less than 5 years paid work experience in the industry.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP Professional Members are at the heart of Image Makers Association Australia. Established industry professionals are invited to come on board, benefit from what's already available and help to shape our vision into the future.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Students are welcome and encouraged to become Members of Image Makers Association Australia. You are eligible for this discounted category of Membership while you are enrolled in a tertiary photography course.
We need you to JOIN US and keep your Membership current. We rely on your financial commitment so we can continue to affect positive and lasting change in the best interest of the photographic industry. The more committed Members we have, the more we can achieve; it’s that simple.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$500 (Tax deductible for professional photographers & billed annually from date of membership renewal)
ASSISTANT/EMERGING MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$350 (Billed annually from date of membership renewal)
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$175 (Billed annually from date of membership renewal)
JOINING IMAGE MAKERS ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA REQUIRES YOU TO AGREE TO BOTH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONSTITUTION.
Member Benefits
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We advocate for the upholding of Australian Copyright and Moral Rights laws by introducing our association, sharing our educational resources and lobbying for photographers rights. We support our members with referral to legal representation where appropriate.
Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to represent the interests and needs of Australian Image Makers at roundtable consultation processes.
We lobbied on behalf of image makers throughout Australia advocating for the upholding of existing copyright laws, and best practice to improve implementing them. Our surveys produced valuable data that was used to present to government with the aim of supporting Image Makers across Australia to continue to run sustainable and profitable businesses.
Image Makers Association Australia has been invited by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to be a member of the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG), as announced by the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, on 5 December 2023. One initial meeting of the group was held in February 2024 with more to follow later in the year.
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We produce and provide discounted access to educational material that helps support Australian photographers in business.
We partner with our Industry Members and Affiliates to provide educational webinars on topics most relevant to our Membership.
We connect with photographers to present & inspire with motivational webinars.
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All Assistant/Emerging and Student Members can apply to be mentored by one of our Professional Members who have generously donated their time to support the development and evolution of emerging talent in Australia.
Our mentorship program is exclusively supported by NIKON and one mentee is chosen each year to receive $5000 worth of NIKON equipment based on their engagement with their mentor and the work produced through the mentorship program.
2023 are closed. 2024 applications will open at the end of 2023.
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We foster a vibrant and engaged community of commercial photographers with Member needs our top priority.
Image Makers Association Australia offers a Members Only WhatsApp group, created to provide a quick and easy platform to professionally connect members with each other.
The group provides a space for members to find assistants, answer technical questions and promote Assistant/Emerging Members.
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We collaborate with our Affiliates and Industry Members to celebrate commercial photography in Australia. We educate businesses who use images about photographers’ copyright and moral rights.
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We promote our Members via the Membership list on our website and through online photographer features on Habitus Living and Indesignlive, as part of our strategic partnership with Indesign Media Asia Pacific.
All Professional Members are invited to participate in our annual ‘1 Shot’ exhibition, exhibiting in Stylecraft Showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney & Perth.
Through our affiliation with Stylecraft, solo exhibiting applications can be submitted for consideration by all Members.
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Specular offers preferential pricing to Members on equipment that suits their specific needs.
michael's Camera Hire offer our Members a 10% discount on products and services.
Spicers offer our members a discounted rate on Bauhaus, Hahnemuhle and Breathing Color products.
The Australian Copyright Council (ACC) offers Members a 10% discount on their paid publications and webinars.
Indesign Media Asia Pacific offer our Members a 50% discount off entry to the INDE awards. The INDE.Awards is the new benchmark for design awards that spans the Indo-Pacific. The program includes two categories for photographers that provides the platform to showcase work in the sphere of architecture and design. Through Indesign’s extensive network there is the opportunity to have work seen, not just on a local or regional platform but also across the globe.
The Photographer – Commercial and The Photographer – Residential categories criteria states that entries should include a suite of images that explore and tell the story of a project, through the lens.
The discount code is in the ‘Members Benefits’ section of the Members area.
Image Science offer our Members a 10% discount on all service orders.
Stylecraft offer trade discount to our Members on designer furniture.
The Australian Copyright Council outline the copyright issues most relevant to photographers, and respond to some common questions.
GUIDE TO COPYRIGHT COMMISSIONING & PUBLISHING ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY
This document was originally produced by the ACMP and has been revised by Image Makers Association Australia and reviewed by the Australian Copyright Council for accuracy in relation to Australian copyright law at the publication date. It is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Regional Architecture Association. The document is available here for public download and distribution in order to educate about and promote best practice agreements between photographers and the architects, interior designers and the broader design and construction community whose work they document.
REport a Copyright concern.
If you have a concern regarding image use, accreditation or terms and conditions of awards programs or on-line publishing, you can contact us below.