Simon’s professional photographic career started as an apprentice almost 20 years ago in Bristol. Between 1995 and 1998 Simon studied at Blackpool, having first worked in different areas of the industry. After graduating, Simon moved to Manchester where he has built up a business in advertising and fashion, as a freelancer.

Simon believes in the Association, its core values and says, "With so many in our industry working on their own, it is vital to have a strong organisation to promote the professionalism and high standards of our craft. However, whilst we concentrate on this, as well as the promotion of the Association and its membership, in the industry and with legislators, we must not be allowed to jeopardise the Association’s newfound financial stability, as a business."

Joined the Board: November 2007
Re-elected for second term: November 2009
Extended: February 2011 for a further 2 years
Stands down: November 2013

Portrait © David Partner 2012

Jane has worked as a senior Finance Manager in the arts and not-for-profit sector since 1990. She was the Financial Controller at Cornerhouse in Manchester, Arts Council England and the Royal National Theatre. She is the Director of Finance at DACS, and before that was the Head of Finance and Contracts at Business Link for London.

Jane believes that this is an exciting and challenging time for the AOP when there is a drive to further professionalise the organisation, with an understanding that there are a lot of challenges to photographers’ rights and livelihood in this present climate. She hopes that her financial expertise in the arts and copyright organisations can contribute to the AOP’s success and stability going forward.

Portrait © David Partner 2012

Nick has been a professional photographer since 1988 and a member of the Association for many years. He is primarily interested in securing the longevity of the Association and making sure that it remains relevant to professional photographers now and in the future.

He has been on the Board since November 2007 and was acting Chairman from October 2009 until January 2011. Re-elected for a further two-year term he intends to use what he has learnt over the last two years to benefit the Association, to reinforce and develop further its core values and leave it in a fit and healthy state for its members and the digital age.

Joined the Board: November 2007
Re-elected for second term: November 2009
Extended: February 2011 for a further 2 years
Stands down: November 2013

Portrait © David Partner 2012

Wanting the challenge of running his own business after starting his career at Conran Studios, Steve formed Direct Lighting with a friend in 1993. The company was built up mainly through word of mouth and their great reputation helped the business expand quickly. Merging with Metro in 2004 brought huge benefit to Direct and they are now Europe's largest photographic lighting hire solution. Having the added benefit of camera rental and consumables makes them one of the worlds leading rental facilities.

Steve is passionate about the AOP having applied for his first job at Conran Studios using the AOP job board. He feels that the Association should represent the leading image makers in an ever changing global market and that it should work hard for its members to ensure they can stay at the top with the correct skills and information required to do so.

Joined the Board: September 2009
Stands down: November 2013

Portrait © David Partner 2012

Charles has been the Association's solicitor since 1990 and has been involved in the Association's legal advice service throughout this time. He is a partner at the specialist media law firm Swan Turton LLP and heads the firm's Photography Group.

Charles says: "Legal issues are at the core of the Association's work, both when it comes to shaping future copyright laws that are so fundamental to photographers, and also in helping individual members deal more effectively with the day to day issues they encounter. In a tough market the Association must continue to ensure that photographers are well represented both collectively and individually."

Portrait © David Partner 2012

Michael Harvey was born in Brazil and lived in Rio de Janeiro until the age of 7, when he was sent to school in the U.K. He studied Physics and Astronomy at University, and this scientific background is visible in his work.
He speaks 5 languages- having lived in Brazil, Italy, Amsterdam, London- and has travelled all around the world for work and pleasure. One of his most prestigious and memorable commissions was an extended stay in Saudi Arabia photographing Pre-Islamic art at the National Museum in Riyadh for an exhibit at the Louvre in Paris.

Michael uses the Hasselblad system for his studio work which allows him incredible sharpness, clarity and the ability to produce images to cover billboards and buildings. Michael was an early adopter of digital photography and has established himself at the forefront of digital development. When shooting with film, his Linhof 54 Master Technika camera still has a firm place in his heart.
Michael’s studio is firmly embedded in the community of Brixton, an area of South London that has seen an influx of artists, social enterprises, creative agencies and independent shop owners in the last few years- particularly in Brixton Village, just five minutes from his studio.

The strong sense of an urban identity in Brixton, around where Michael works, has led him to want to explore the dynamics of place and he has planned several future projects around this idea- an interview and study of the German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher; a photographic series on the architecture and urban planning of Brasilia, Brazil’s capital; a landscape series focusing on Southern Morocco.

Joined the Board: November 2012
Stands down: November 2014
Re-stands for second term: November 2014

Portrait © David Partner 2012

David Partner is an internationally acclaimed photographer with an iconic brand of portraiture. In 2005, David initiated a project called 'Heads of Government' which created a series of 100-plus portrait photographs of all government ministers. The series, now held in several national collections, was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery in London, as well as being widely reported in national and international media. David was subsequently commissioned by the House of Commons to produce a series of work between 2006/2007 entitled 'Working for Parliament'. When not capturing portraits, David is commissioned for Advertising, Editorial and Brochure work.

Joined the Board: August 2007
Re-stands For second term: October 2011
Stands down: November 2013

Portrait © Nick Dunmur 2012

Peter is an experienced professional photographer with a wide range of expertise in the advertising and creative industries. He started his photographic business in 1985 and applied to join the AOP a few years later. Peter saw this as something to aspire to and to be part of a group of recognised individuals.

Peter says "We have all seen some turbulent times in the last few years and I feel we will have to work hard to raise awareness of the AOP to gain a bigger membership and to make it an organisation that is respected within and outside of the industry. This is something I am very keen to do."

Peter is based in the Midlands and is keen to represent members' interests outside London.

Portrait © Aerin Edie 2012

Based in Shoreditch, Ed has experience from picture desks at a number of National Newspapers, including most recently Deputy Head of Pictures at the Financial Times. Since then he has worked extensively as a Photographer, Director and Visual Consultant. Whilst becoming the youngest member of the current Board Ed is already proving an asset bringing enthusiasm and varied experience to meetings.

Portrait © David Partner 2012