The Awards are seen as a positive platform for real talent within the professional, advertising and editorial fields of photography. The AOP is the only photographic organisation seriously acknowledging commissioned (i.e.) paid creative photography, which is judged separately from the personal work submitted. The Awards are one of the only occasions that recognise the importance of this kind of work in the current visual climate of our world, as work must have been produced within the last two years.
 

The awards have made reputations and photographers have gained commissions from them.

A staggering total of 3495 prints were entered by 423 photographers. 226 photographs appear in the book and on this website, from 87 photographers, with a total of 34 Awards being given - 2 Gold, 9 Silver and 23 Merits.