AIPA News: April 2008
Later this year the AIPA will be publishing another edition of Workspace – the award winning photography book that showcases the work of New Zealand’s leading commercial photographers. This time around Workspace is scheduled for publication and distribution in October (before the end of year rush kicks in) so initial production has already begun in earnest.
As the only photography sourcebook in New Zealand Workspace is a powerful marketing tool for photographers working in the advertising and editorial fields. Multiple copies of the book are distributed free of charge to advertising agencies, design firms and publishers throughout the country. For photographers seeking the attention of influential art directors, graphic designers, magazine editors and publishers, Workspace represents an exceptional promotional opportunity.
Anyone who has seen a copy of the last Workspace volume can testify to its exceptional design and print quality (it won both a gold medal and the sheet fed category at the 2007 Pride in Print Awards). Needless to say, we expect the 2008 edition to be even bigger and better.
Participation in this project is only open to full and emerging members of the Association. So if you’re a practising commercial photographer but not a member of the AIPA you’ll need to join up urgently if you want to be included in the 2008 edition of Workspace.
Before signing off this month I’d just like to quickly warn all TPM readers about the perils of the contributing to online ‘micro-stock’ agencies.
There have been a number of new “photo stock libraries” popping up lately. Unfortunately the vast majority of these new image libraries have chosen the micro-stock business model – i.e. they are selling royalty free imagery at ridiculously low prices (basically for below the cost of production). Please be aware that this business model may appear attractive initially, but in the long term it is completely unsustainable and unprofitable. What’s more, the gross devaluing of photography by these companies is causing immeasurable damage to our industry as a whole. The AIPA strongly recommends that all photographers - amateur and professional alike - avoid micro-stock at all costs.
Leon Rose
AIPA President
