AOP’s f22 female photographers’ group celebrates its 30th anniversary with an online exhibition which turns the lens on the photographers, sharing behind-the-scenes’ images and experiences, to mark International Women’s Day (8 March).
“In a world where we are constantly bombarded by photographic imagery, if the majority of those images are created by men, then we are all looking at life through a male gaze. Therefore decisions about what and how we wear, consume, drive, holiday etc., will predominantly be made from a male perspective. This affects all of us.”
– Reformed f22 founding member. Wendy Carrig
Photo Credits: Wendy Carrig
Photo Credits: Wendy Carrig
Female and female identifying members of the Association of Photographers (AOP) are sharing some ‘behind-thescenes’ moments of some of their photographic shoots as part of an online exhibition to mark International Women’s Day (8 March) and the 30th anniversary of their f22 group. The AOP f22 group was set up within the AOP to champion the work of women and non-binary photographers who are still a minority group within professional photography. The group was given a special impetus by 2018 surveys (taken by Kering, a Frenchbased multinational corporation) which showed that while over 80% of photography students were female,
women accounted for only 15% of professional photographers.
Whilst female and female identifying photographers still face many challenges, some subtle and others more obvious, the f22 group meet regularly to connect, discuss, share information and experiences and champion each other’s work. Thirty years on, it is a thriving community that supports photographers at all stages of their careers, in what is still a heavily male-dominated profession. The online exhibition marks some positive changes and includes images of sporting and political events as well as fashion and art photography shoots highlighting both the finished image and the female photographer in action behind the lens.
“The sports industry has been predominantly male dominated, leading to both a lack of female representation in sport and sports photography, which in turn hinders availability of sport to girls and continues to be a barrier to involvement. It is crucial to establish gender parity both in front of and behind the camera to enable a paradigm shift in our visual language. This will transform the narrative surrounding women’s sports imagery, and promote it for what it is, sport.”
– f22 member and sports photographer, Karen Yeomans.
Photo Credits: Karen Yeomans
Photo Credits: Karen Yeomans
“I have been a photographer and filmmaker shooting in situations in which people would expect a male photographer to be behind the camera (fishing trawlers, expeditions, etc) for years. My first challenge is getting the subjects to move beyond their first impressions (or prejudices). Being a woman in many of these contexts can actually be a good thing for everyone, bringing a different dynamic that shows in the final shots. It has taken me years to feel truly confident and not listen to the voices (real and in my head) that question whether I can do the job, but I am mostly there now. Every time us female photographers deliver great photos shot with professionalism, we dilute those prejudices.”
– Eleanor Church f22 member.
Photo Credits: Eleanor Church
Photo Credits: Eleanor Church
“With the arrival of International Women’s Day 2024, it’s an important occasion to reflect on and acknowledge the women of influence in our industry. Those around us who inspire, encourage, and support, aspiring and established female professional photographers to be their extraordinary selves and show the world what they can achieve through the eye of the lens.”
– AOP CEO, Isabelle Doran.
About the Association of Photographers
The Association of Photographers was first formed in 1968 as the Association of Fashion and Advertising Photographers and is one of the most prestigious professional photographers’ associations in the world. The Association’s aims are: to promote and protect the worth and standing of its members, to vigorously defend, educate and lobby for the interests and rights of all photographers, especially in the commercial photographic industry.
Membership is open to Professional and Assisting Photographers working in the creative sector, agents, any individuals working in the photographic industry, those starting out in the profession, those in education and anyone with an interest in professional photography.
