The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) today announce the closure of Australia’s leading body for photography after unprecedented financial pressure from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The present iteration of the organisation was the latest in a series of entities that traces back to March of 1944, when photographers from various state professional photography associations gathered to form an Australian association to provide a united voice on behalf of photographers.

AIPP and its members throughout its history informed copyright and privacy laws in Australia, as well as providing input into tertiary education for photographic training. It also contributed to the professional development of thousands of Australian photographers who are recognised for their achievements both nationally and internationally, many of whom received the Order of Australia and other prestigious titles and awards. AIPP managed the World Photographic Cup teams from the competition’s inception in 2014 and achieved two World Cup wins (2019 and 2021) and a second placing (2018) for Australia.

AIPP had been in a slow decline for more than a decade. The current AIPP Board had significant plans and initiatives to reverse this decline, reinvigorate the AIPP for a new generation of image-makers, and align itself better with the arts industries. However, the pandemic has made it impossible to implement these changes.

Efforts are being made to preserve AIPP’s history and legacy. AIPP recognises the outstanding contributions of its volunteers, members and trade partners throughout its history in the pursuit of improving professional photography. 

AIPP will cease trading immediately and an Administrator will be appointed to manage the process in an orderly fashion as required by the Corporations Act 2001.

Taken from AIPP