IPC Presents 2012 Professional Photographer Leadership Awards
8 Pro Photographers, 2 Editors Honored at 14th Annual Award Luncheon
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, June 15, 2012—The International Photographic Council (IPC), a non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, presented eight IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Awards during the 14th Annual IPC Pro Award Luncheon, at the United Nations in New York City, May 17.
Award Luncheon Chair Andy Marcus, President of Fred Marcus Photography, delivered an insightful presentation on “The World of Professional Photography,” addressing some of the pressures and challenges facing pro shooters today. IPC Vice President Alice Miller, President of Plum Communications, interviewed the honorees to determine what drives their passion for photography, how their businesses have adapted to change, and what they consider their “must have” photography products.
For the first time, IPC recognized two international editors-in-chief for their support, honoring them with IPC Distinguished Service Awards. IPC President James Chung presented Machiko Ouchi, Pen News Weekly, Japan, with her award. As Pakistan’s Muzammil Izhar Siddiqui, Foto Line, Karachi, was unable to attend, his award was forwarded to him.
The Leadership Awards, presented by IPC each May in support of “May, International Professional Photographers Month,” salute professionals around the globe. This year, eight professional photography organizations designated honorees: American Photographic Artists (APA), American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), Federation of European Photographers (FEP), National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA), White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA), and Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).
The 2012 IPC Professional Photographer Leadership Award recipients are:
• American Photographic Artists (APA): Michael Grecco
• American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP): James Cavanaugh
• Federation of European Photographers (FEP): Bernd Gassner
• National Press Photographers Association (NPPA): Yunghi Kim
• Professional Photographers of America (PPA): Louis Tonsmeire
• Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA): Ralph Romaguera
• White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA): Chip Somodevilla
• Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI): Jennifer Hudson
The one-on-one format proved popular with attendees and honorees. Questions such as “what surprised you most during your career,” “how has your business evolved since you began shooting professionally,” “how does doing business in the U.S. compare and contrast with doing business abroad,” and “what is your favorite piece of photographic or non-photographic equipment” yielded responses that were at times insightful, instructive, candid, humorous, and/or emotional. Honorees were in agreement that the single most pressing issue in today’s volatile economic environment is the need to be flexible, courageous and competitive-to be able to adapt to change and pursue new opportunities that arise. To enhance audience connection with the honorees, prints of their work were circulated while each photographer was at the mike.
On behalf of IPC, Andy Marcus thanked the luncheon sponsors for their generosity (Platinum level): B&H Photo/B&H Marketing, Cygnus Business Media, Fred Marcus Studio, Lifetouch, Inc., The Tiffen Company; (Gold level): Adorama, ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers), Canon U.S.A., Inc., Jondo, onOne Software; (Silver level): Leather Craftsmen, Inc., Nikon Inc., SmugMug Inc., and Tamron USA, Inc.
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The International Photographic Council (IPC) is a multinational, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) of the United Nations, composed of representatives from every major sector of the photographic industry. Founded in 1974, IPC is dedicated to increasing worldwide recognition of photography as a universal means of communication. IPC’s motto is “Peace Through Understanding, Understanding Through Photography, the Universal Language.”