3 May 2013

This year is the 30th Photographers Awards and it promises to be fantastic.  We have a wonderful line-up of judges for 2013, chaired by none other than John Claridge and Max Forsythe.  These two photography heavyweights have seen many changes within the industry over the years.

John says “Having been a member of the Association from its inception, I feel very honoured to be asked to chair the 30th year of the Photographers' Awards.  Having seen the Association travel through many trials and tribulations, one thing has remained constant - they have always been there for photographers, supporting and fighting for their rights.  Very few organisations have that kind commitment for 45 years.  To have that total commitment to photographers is outstanding.  Why?  Because we're all crazy!

“The Association needs the members' support, just as much as the support it gives the members.  The Awards are a very special entity, not just to show the world the talent of the Association's members, but photography itself needs it. The members are the future of photography, not just in the UK but worldwide.  So, for me, it will be a privilege to view some great and beautiful work.”

Max says “One doesn't need to state the obvious that these are difficult times, and photographers can do with all the help they can get to pull in work.  The AOP Awards have always been the Oscars of the photographic industry and the amount of work I have got over the years by people seeing my work there is incalculable.

“Last year thousands of people looked at the Awards online gallery and 1,800 visited the 3-day Open Awards exhibition - this is many more potential clients than you could hope to reach by any other means.  This year the work from the two Awards will be exhibited for 4 days at the Truman Brewery, so we expect even bigger numbers.

“The AOP Awards are the best shop window you can get, but if you don't enter, you can't win.”

 So, in the words of Max Forsythe, you gotta be in to win it!  Enter here.