By becoming a member of the Association you automatically become part of a wider community of assistants, photographers and photographers' agents. You will achieve recognition from your peers as well as the industry and become recognised by those who commission professional photography.

Comments about the AOP:

"Being an AOP Assistant member means that I am part of a community of people that are able to support me, whether that's by giving me technical advice on the forum, showing support for my work in exhibitions, or campaigning for best practice within the photographic industry. I really love going to openings and events at the AOP where I can socialise with Photographic Agents, or photography legends, or other assistants, it always makes me marvel at how far reaching the AOP network is" - Emma Tunbridge

"Being part of the AOP allows me to belong to a community that supports and looks after it's own. With people from all over the world the AOP is rich in experience and diversity of work. Being an AOP assistant makes you stand out from the thousands of other assistants. It gives me a little extra something, photographers respect that I have to be able to work to a high level to be on the assistants list. As an assistant member I seem to get almost half a dozen enquiries for extra work a month, if I wasn't a member I wouldn't be exposed to this. It pays for itself very quickly!" - Phil Haynes

"I once got a job via a phone call from a photographer finding me on the 'AOP assistant list'. The job was a month long to Assist the Photographer doing the fashion shows in New York, London, Milan and then Paris. I got £5000 for the Job!!! This job became a regular thing twice a year! So I got £10,000 a year for two months work. Not bad for just having my name on the AOP Assistant list. Once I get one well paid job or two cheap jobs via the 'assistant list' the membership pays for itself." - Andrew John Simpson

In summary we can provide you with:

• Recognition as a member of a peer group that represents those at the top of their game.
• Business and Legal support. Referral to specialist lawyers, retained by the Association (first half-hour consultation at a discounted members rate)
• Eligibility to apply for inclusion in our web-based Assistant Search list. A short multiple-choice test (50 mins) to be completed at the AOP HQ.
• Access to our e-mail forum; a community that shares advice and always has an immediate answer to a question. We also provide a web forum for topics of less urgency.
• Discounted entry to the AOP Open Award’s with member benefits. Including a specific prize package for the ‘Best’ Assistant member.
• Access to a group combined employers and public liability insurance policy. Only available to Assistant Members. This provides a very cost-effective way to getting necessary insurance cover when working.
• Presence on the AOP website as an Assistant. Includes contact information, web and email links.
• Monthly member-only e-newsletter and blog.
• Access to the Association's Applestore where items are sold at discounted prices (UK residents only).
• A subscription to Image magazine.
• Access to portfolio critiques, workshops & seminars at member prices.
• Various special discounts and offers from 3rd party companies.
• Discounts on all the Associations' publications including the Awards book, Beyond the Lens and any future publications.
• 24/7 web access to Beyond the Lens.
• Free buy/sell advertisements on the Association's website.

Download the full pamphlet

You can also request a printed copy of the pamphlet by emailing us at membership@aophoto.co.uk

Voting Rights:

No voting rights.

Price:

• £160 p/a - plus VAT (UK)

Criteria:

Assistants need to have assisted at least three photographers in the last year, or, be employed full-time by one photographer. References will need to be provided and once we have had confirmation from referees we will progress your application. We would expect the procedure to take no longer than three weeks.