The Association is interested in both the vocational and educational aspects of photographic courses. Our position within the photographic, editorial and advertising industries enables us to influence and support course content and structure; it also allows us to introduce you to dynamic and well-respected professionals as visiting lecturers to the colleges/universities of affiliated courses.

Our publication, Beyond the Lens is a 200-page reference book written and published by the Association and is known as the definitive authority on rights, ethics and business practice for professional photography. Photographers, photographers' agents, assisting photographers, commissioners of photography, indeed everyone related to professional photography has either got a copy or at the very least is familiar with it.

It is a requirement of affiliation that all courses incorporate Beyond the Lens somewhere within their teaching, usually within professional practice modules. Over time we have seen colleges/universities, course leaders, industry professionals and commissioners of photography welcome Beyond the Lens and it has become a well-defined industry essential. With a programme of continual updates, Beyond the Lens has been used as a tool to teach rights, ethics and good business practice in professional photography for almost 30 years.

By becoming affiliated to the Association you automatically become part of a wider community of photographers, assistants, photographers' agents and photography students as well as coming together with like-minded photography courses being run across the UK.

Who Are Our Members?

Currently almost 40 photographic courses around the UK are affiliated, ranging from BTEC HND to MA. Most of our affiliated courses operate at Degree level and we enjoy a good relationship with tutors, lecturers and programme leaders. Among the many benefits on offer for Affiliated Courses is our Lecturers' Day, an opportunity to get together with fellow lecturers and tutors for an informal day of visits hosted by our industry and plenty of opportunity for debate.

As part of the affiliation we will send you annual copies of our beautiful Photographers Awards books, as well as copies of Beyond the Lens and 3 subscriptions to Image magazine. There are many other tangible benefits, but, perhaps the most important is the link that you, the college/university you represent together with your students, have with an industry body that represents the top commercial professional photographers in the business.

In addition to affiliated courses we also have around 400 AOP Student members. Studying at various institutions around the UK, AOP Students tend to be one step ahead of their peer group and are keen to get out into industry and make a career. Many achieve recognition in the AOP Student Awards and they tend to be those who work hard on their course and are the most committed.

Benefits of affiliating your photography course:

• Recognition as one of the photography courses accepted for affiliation to the Association and the peer group it represents.
• AOP Website Presence. Your college/university will be listed on our website. Your corporate logo will directly link to your home page or course information.
• We hold an annual meeting for programme leaders and tutors. This is a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and information with professionals and other educational institutions in an informal setting. There is also the opportunity to visit studios and talk to industry professionals.
• Beyond the Lens: The essential guide to rights, ethics and business practice in professional photography. You will receive three copies of the book and be eligible for a further discount on bulk orders.
• The photography department will receive three copies of Image magazine
• Teaching staff entitled to 2 tickets to the Photographers Awards event at members discount.
• The photography department will receive 2 copies of the Photographers Awards book.
• Your students will qualify from 50% discount on AOP Student membership.

Voting Rights:

No voting rights.

Price:

• £450 p/a (plus VAT) plus £175 & expenses for an initial assessment fee carried out by the Association.

Criteria:

Our affiliated course package is able to provide support and industry expertise to photography courses at BTEC HND level or higher, as long as the course can provide evidence that its content responds to the current demands in advertising, fashion and editorial photography.

Colleges/universities must integrate Beyond the Lens into the course teaching structure, usually as part of the Professional Practice module.

The college/university must hold a fair copyright policy applicable to their students.

This package is available to colleges/universities who can demonstrate a satisfactory provision of lens-based and/or electronic imaging and that seek a stronger liaison with the professional photographic industry.

If we are satisfied with the above, we will carry out an assessment visit of the course facilities. The visit is fairly informal but can take between 3 - 4 hours. We would expect to see all facilities including studios, digital suites, dark rooms and the library. We would like to talk to current students and teaching staff on the course. A convenient date and time will be arranged.

For more information email us at affiliates@aophoto.co.uk