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© Joe Grisham

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ASMP was founded by small group of dedicated pioneers who wanted a better deal for all freelance photographers who photographed for publication

Contemporary photographers owe a great deal to the handful of photojournalists who banded together in the 1940s to lay the foundations for what was to become the most dynamic and effective trade association for publication photographers. The following is a brief history of ASMP. Many of the items, especially those in the 1990s and later, can be found online in the ASMP Bulletin.

Fall of 1942
A casual discussion was held between Click magazine photographers Bradley Smith and Ike Vern with New York Post columnist/critic John Adam Knight about the need for magazine photographers to "have some sort of club or something."
October 12, 1944
Some two dozen photographers gathered in Ewing Krainin's New York studio and agreed that a formal organization was both wanted and needed. Says founding member Bradley Smith, "It was the year of 1944, a year of the beachheads of Normandy, the beginning of the end of World War II. It was also the year of the first meeting to organize photojournalists, a new breed of concerned visual communicators." Philippe Halsman, a portrait and editorial photographer who had moved to New York from Paris in 1940, attended that first meeting.
November, 1944
The Society of Magazine Photographers, SMP, had more than 30 paid up members at $25 initiation, and $2-per-month dues.
December, 1944
SMP was chartered by the state of New York. The constitution was written by a temporary board of governors that included Herbert Gehr, Nelson Morris, Herbert Giles, Bradley Smith, Roland Harvey, and Allan Gould, the young Society of Magazine Photographers elected John Adam Knight to serve as temporary president and Philippe Halsman to serve as temporary secretary.

Knight, born Pierre de Rohan, in addition to writing columns on photography for the New York Post and Pic magazine, was a chef, a musician, and a composer, as well as the author of a music column syndicated in more than 450 newspapers. He was popular and influential on New York's photographic scene and worked tirelessly and selflessly to get the SMP off the ground. Attorney Stanley A. Katcher, himself a photography enthusiast, was introduced to the founding members by Knight and donated his time and services as needed for the resolution of the young Society's constitution, charter, and bylaws.
Fall of 1945
Philippe Halsman said: "Only the SMP can bar the chaos in the magazine field. Our aims are to preserve and to improve the artistic, ethical, and material standards of our profession. The only way photographers can help carry out these aims is by grouping around the SMP, because for us too, a new era is beginning."

With no minimum day rates and most magazine jobs shot on speculation, photographers were further demeaned by the standard practice of crediting wire services or magazines but not individual photographers. Artists commonly used published photographs as uncredited references. The Saturday Review of Literature published an artist's woodcarving copied from a Philippe Halsman photograph of Wendell Wilkie, while Joe Rosenthal's iconic image of the Iwo Jima flag-raising was widely published without his credit. Time magazine's standard practice of reprinting photographs from its sister publication with only a Life credit prompted Halsman to comment, "This Mr. Life who gets so many credits in Time magazine must be a very active, very good photographer. We should ask him to join the Society."

After one year it was estimated that over three-fourths of all eligible magazine photographers belonged to SMP, including David Eisendrath, Margaret Bourke-White, Robert Capa, Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Jerry Cooke, Andre Kertesz, Peter Stackpole, Lisa Larsen, Andreas Feininger, Dimitri Kessel, and Arthur (Weegee) Fellig.

John Adam Knight believed that a full-time working magazine photographer should serve as president and he stepped aside.
February 28, 1945
Philippe Halsman was elected president. He served with his fellow officers Eliot Elisofon, Harold Rhodenbaugh, Herbert Giles, Michael Elliot, Nelson Morris, and Robert Disraeli, as well as board members Fritz Henle, Fritz Goro, and George Karger.

Operating temporarily from Halsman's studio on West 67th Street, the founder's group, with great gusto and determination, established committees for publications, membership, exhibitions, and a monthly bulletin. Regular meetings were held at the Hotel Belmont-Plaza as well as the Waldorf-Astoria and attracted more and more interested photographers as word spread about this small but increasingly visible group.
May, 1946
SMP's name was changed to American Society of Magazine Photographers. The board was informed that the School of Modern Photography held claim to the letters SMP, the members voted to rename their group the Magazine Photographers Guild but discovered that name, too, was spoken for. Adding "American" seemed to satisfy everyone. The acronym ASMP officially entered the vernacular of New York's magazine and photography world.

Said the membership committee, "The young and less experienced photographers are joining the ASMP readily, feeling that the organization can give them help, advice, and support. It might have been feared that the older and more successful magazine photographers would ask themselves, "Why should I join the Society? I am doing all right by myself. What can the Society do for me?" Very fortunately this selfish attitude is the exception. The greater part of the Society consists of known and successful photographers with many years of experience who joined the Society, not because they expected to "get something out of it," but on the contrary, with the desire of giving to it to help the others."

As the Society grew, the board and officers not only encouraged New York magazine photographers to attend meetings and join, but solicited participation by some of photography's giants of the day. Edward Weston joined in 1946. Captain Edward Steichen wrote to Halsman that same year, remarking, "Please accept and convey my appreciation and thanks to the members of SMP for this distinction. I hope that being an honorary member does not preclude my taking an active interest in the welfare and future of the Society." Asked to join in 1956, French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson responded, "I am much honored of your proposal. Being far from New York I had not considered joining ASMP, though I have many friends in its bosom, and I always was in full sympathy with its works and aims. After your letter I am more than happy to ask for admission. I never belonged to any club, nor did my camera, but my trigger finger and I cannot resist your suggestion."

From the outset, ASMP had stated its official purposes as follows: "to safeguard and promote the interests of magazine photographers; to maintain and promote high professional standards and ethics in magazine photography; and to cultivate friendship and mutual understanding among professional magazine photographers."

The founding members were an understandably close-knit group. Interest in each other's welfare was genuine, February 1945, ASMP's Bulletin, originally edited and written by Herbert Giles, Allan Gould, Sid Latham, and Jack Manning, first appeared.

Born out of frustration over the inequities of the magazine business in the early 1940s, ASMP has been, since its very inception, the champion of photographers' rights. In 1948, Collier's magazine stated its inflammatory policy of assigning picture spreads on "a semi-speculative basis." ASMP's Bulletin editor, Bernard Hoffman, rose to the occasion and editorialized: "What an intriguing place our planet would be if, regardless of profession, we could all take advantage of the 'semi-speculative' plan - what a wonderful way to buy a car, see a movie, bury our dead, rent an apartment, travel to Europe, or deal with our local bartender. We might even be able to purchase Collier's itself on a semi-speculative basis - So hurry ,hurry! Step right up and take a chance! Photography, suckers, has just been elevated to the level of Bingo!"
1949
The Society amended its charter and fought for the right to represent magazine photographers in matters of wages and working conditions.
1950
Many in ASMP felt the need for a means of collective bargaining.
April, 1951
ASMP was licensed by the state of New York to act as a labor union.
1951
ASMP established the Code of Minimum Standards, an agreement that, while not legally enforceable, spelled out what the Society believed to be fair pay rates for freelance magazine photographers. One by one, magazines signed the agreement, and the publishing industry was forever changed. Like all change, however, it did not happen overnight or without a struggle. Individual photographers, when faced with a noncomplying magazine, often lost the job when they refused to work for less than the code's minimums.
1967
The issue of residual rights to images shot during a magazine assignment was raised and vigorously challenged by the magazine industry. ASMP's answer was to write a "Declaration of Conscience" stating that "reproduction rights and ownership belong to the photographer; that each use of a photograph must be compensated for; that limitations on a photographer's freedom to reuse his own creations must be related to the purpose and protection of the publication and must be limited in time; and that no ASMP member or unaffiliated photographer should agree to terms inconsistent with the resolution." A two-year battle with Time Inc., was waged, and many ASMP members jeopardized their livelihoods before this basic right was recognized by the publishing industry. The stock photography business, and the benefits photographers realize from it, is a direct result of the stand that ASMP took in 1967.
1970s
The Society worked tirelessly for the Copyright Act, which, when it went into effect in 1978, placed ownership of a photographer's creative work back in his hands. Every creative freelancer working today owes ASMP an enormous debt for this brave and costly effort.
1976
ASMP requested union status from the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB denied the request. ASMP, a group of independent contractors, was officially a trade association.

ASMP and its attorneys have been involved on an ongoing basis in cases that have resulted in precedent-making legislation on behalf of photographers, including the unauthorized reproduction of photographs in another medium (1945), the value of exposed but undeveloped film (1949).
1988
Through ASMP's efforts the IRS's Uniform Capitalization Rule was rescinded.
1989
The reaffirming decision by the United States Supreme Court during the Community for Creative Non-Violence v. Reid case concerning work-for-hire.
1991
ASMP completed the 10,000 Eyes project which culminated in the publication of a large format book and production of a highly acclaimed photo exhibit.
1991
At insistence of president Vince Streano, board approves establishing a Legal Action Fund, a legal war chest.
1992
Year opens with new look ASMP Bulletin. Renown photographer and long standing ASMP member Berenice Abbott dies at 93.
1992
Board of directors vote to change ASMP's name to American Society of Media Photographers, retaining the ASMP acronym but replacing the word Magazine to better reflect the diversity of work done by ASMP's members.
1992
The board agrees that ASMP should relocate its national headquarters from New York City to Princeton Junction, New Jersey, to reduce costs. Name change and relocation later approved by constitutionally-required referendum.
1992
Also as a result of referendum, election of ASMP president will be in hands of elected board; not by membership at large. Ditto for first and second vice presidents. Board size reduced by 3 directors, to 17.
1992
Ray DeMoulin, former vice president of Kodak Professional given honorary ASMP life membership. Vote was by membership.
1992
ASMP directors vote to create the copyright licensing agency, the Media Photographers' Copyright Agency, MPCA, to promote and protect the interests of photographers' work in the electronic publishing environment.
1992
ASMP urges anti-clip art/royalty-free images campaign pointing out pitfalls and price lowering potential of CD ROM clip art.
1992
ASMP's copyright licensing agency is named Media Photographers' Copyrght Agency, MP©A by ASMP board. A 5-person board is elected to steer MP© A through first six months.
1992
ASMP Code of Ethics approved by the board.
1992
ASMP's 10,000 Eyes exhibit, shipped to Russia for a photographic festival disappears. St. Petersburg contacts say exhibit is in storage. It is not returned.
1993
MP© A progresses; elects officers
1993
ASMP testifies before Congress on Copyright Reform Act of 1993. This important legislation, if passed, would give photographers greater advantage against copyright infringers. Works would not have to be registered for photographers to get statutory damages.
1993
Planning for ASMP Golden Celebration - ASMP's 50th anniversary -continues. To be held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, September 20-28, 1994. Committee headed by Dennie Cody, driving force behind successful 10,000 Eyes project of 1991.
1993
MP© A launch successful: first year membership goal of 400 eclipsed in first two months; agency is one of largest in the world.
1993
The board decides that the Society's constitution, first drafted in 1944 and patched up over the years, will be rewritten. The goal is to produce a less voluminous document than the current 21-pager and in less specific language.
1993
ASMP continues bid to make photographers aware of dangers of clip art.
1993
ASMP helps produce a guide on California child pornography laws following the infamous Jock Sturges case. The guide was sponsored by ASMP and APA and written by ASMP president Matt Herron.
1993
ASMP relocates to Princeton Junction, New Jersey.
1993
ASMP members rally in support of Society's efforts at Senate hearings in Copyright Reform Act of 1993. Avalanche of members' letters crippled one fax machine and stressed the replacement.
1993
ASMP's Business of Images teleconference broadcast from the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University to 473 registered downlink sites.
1994
Ray DeMoulin, former vice president of Kodak Professional, is appointed CEO of MP©A.
1994
House passes Copyright Reform Act; bill still to go before Senate. Hopes are high that ASMP's intensive lobbying efforts will be successful.
1994
ASMP and Picture Agency Council of America, PACA, sign joint statement on photographer/agency ethics and responsibilities.
1994
Planned Golden Celebration of ASMP's 50th anniversary is cancelled; New Orleans/Gulf South chapter agrees to host a scaled down celebration, September 29-October 2.
1994
ASMP launches Strictly Business seminar series, sponsored by Kodak and spearheaded by ASMP education director Emily Vickers.
1994
Founding member Ray Shorr dies in his sleep at age 81.
1994
ASMP's 50th celebration in New Orleans a great success; President Bill Clinton sends ASMP a letter of congratulations.
1994
ASMP works with Bureau of Land Management to clarify permit situation for photographers shooting on public lands.
1994
Senate does not pass Copyright Reform Act of 1993 which was opposed by publishers and photofinishers. ASMP's valiant efforts raised awareness but failed.
1994
ASMP's new The Business Bible is published and distributed to members. New chapters will be added over time. Publication is well received by members.
1994
A special 56-page issue of the Bulletin is produced to commemorate 50 years of ASMP history and achievements. President Clinton's congratulatory message is one of the featured items as well as a portfolio of ASMP luminaries. Founding member Bradley Smith wrote a feature essay: "50 visual years-the way we were."
1995
ASMP begins its second half-century in good financial shape and with membership increasing. 10,000 Eyes exhibit still lost in Russia.
1995
Board commends Time Inc.'s efforts to work with photographers in developing an electronics rights policy but does not agree with Time's interpretation of the copyright law. Board decides to develop ASMP's own electronic rights policy.
1995
Board approves formation of a Connecticut chapter, bringing total nationwide to 37.
1995
Discussions continue between ASMP and Copyright Clearance Center to form an alliance, facilitating CCC to collect secondary and small rights transactions for ASMP members. ASMP discussions with NBA about their policy to freelance photographers are proving fruitless; NBA will not change their restrictive policies. Time says it will pay for electronic rights; other magazines appear to be following Time's lead.
1995
MP©A/ASMP on verge of major new strategic alliance with Applied Graphics Technologies, AGT, and Copyright Clearance Center.
1995
Specialty (special interest) groups are promoted within ASMP for sports, architectural and photojournalism shooters. Special theme issues of Bulletin dedicated to these groups.
1995
New chapters and new membership directory produced for ASMP Business Bible. Special issue of Bulletin devoted to MP©A. 10,000 Eyes book is sold out-becomes a collector's item. Board approves a referendum for members to vote on the new constitution, the first complete revision since 1985-completed by Reagan Bradshaw.
1995
Legal Action Fund nears $100,000 mark; fund used for Copyright Reform Act efforts and looming battle with NBA.
1995
Members vote yes on new constitution and electing Cornell Capa and Howard Chapnick to honorary memberships; board size reduced from 17 directors to 15. Foremost photojournalist of his time, Alfred Eisenstaedt, dies at age 96.
1995
MP©A is operational but needs critical mass of images. Copyright reform-bulk registration is approved as ASMP reaches final agreement with the Copyright Office.
1996
Call for ASMP Biennial Awards. Conference will be held in Orlando, Fl., September 19-22.
1996
ASMP appoints Victor Perlman as ASMP's first full-time general counsel.
1996
Encouraged by ASMP, the Anti-Trust Division of the Justice Department shows interest in the effect of NBA trade practices on photographers' businesses.
1996
ASMP expands international alliances-attends meetings from Pacific Rim to Europe.
1996
Rock and Roll Hall of Fames files suit against ASMP member Chuck Gentile for alleged trademark infringement. ASMP gives Gentile legal support and later files amicus brief.
1996
Prompt ASMP action delays Omnibus Patent Act of 1996 hearing. Bill, mysteriously put on fast track, would have serious ramifications for photographers.
1996
ASMP held its first Biennial Conference in Orlando, Florida and re-introduced the ASMP awards recognizing outstanding achievements by its members.
1996
MIRA-Media Image Resource Alliance formed as marketing wing of MP©A.
1996
Year closes with president Reagan Bradshaw reporting it "a year of controversy for ASMP" but also a year of initiating many projects, benefits.
1997
ASMP launches new seminar program, ASMP Means Business.
1997
ASMP underwater photographers specialty group formed.
1997
ASMP-developed curriculum Professional Photographic Practices is test-taught in pilot programs around the country.
1997
ASMP ceases printing membership directory; emphasis to be placed on Web-based search facility, Find a Photographer.
1997
ASMP consolidates The ASMP Business Bible and produces the authoritative book, 5th edition ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography, published by Allworth Press.
1997
Noted ASMP member and environmental photographer Bruno Penguin Zehnder dies in Antarctic blizzard.
1997
Last of ASMP founding members Bradley Smith dies at 87, of cancer, in La Jolla, Calif.1997, U.S. Disrict Court in Southern District of New York finds in favor of publishers in Tasini e. al v. NY Times et. al., a blow for authors. Court held that electronic versions of magazines were revisions of collective works permitted under Section 201© of the Copyright Act with no permission required from authors or additional payment to authors.
1997
ASMP severs ties with Eastman Kodak citing Kodak's disregard for the interest and rights of professional photographers. Catalyst was a solicitation by Kodak staff photographers for commercial work. ASMP said this threatened photographers' rights. Issue is reported in The Wall Street Journal, sends rumbles through industry.
1998
ASMP and Eastman Kodak reach agreement following ASMP's severing of relationship at end of 1997. Kodak pledges to work with ASMP on changing copyright legislation, revising hiring practices and other initiatives.
1998
Call for Biennial Awards. Conference to be held in San Diego, Calif., September 24-27.1998, ASMP files amicus brief in Tasini appeal.
1998
Consolidation of stock industry continues with Getty and Corbis on acquisition trail.
1998
ASMP alerts members about new breed of powerful x-ray machines at airports.
1998
Photojournalism legend Hansel Mieth dies at 88, Santa Rosa, Calif.
1998
ASMP introduces new college curriculum Professional Photographic Practices, more than eight years in the making and pilot testing.
1998
ASMP highlights the erosion of editorial rates and rights; produces a special issue of Bulletin on the topic.
1998
ASMP held its Biennial Conference in San Diego, California. September 24-27. Host chapter, San Diego, raises over $17,000 for ASMP Legal Action Fund.
1998
Bulletin undergoes design transformation incorporating new design by consultant Ken Silvia.
1998
October 11, Reagan Bradshaw, 55, ASMP president 1995-96 and sitting board member is killed in crash of his ultra light aircraft, near Austin, Texas.
1999
ASMP board establishes additional goals covering ethical responsibility, the business of editorial photography, and improving the business of stock photography.
1999
ASMP launches effort to increase editorial rates; produces White Paper on editorial day rates. ASMP supports photographer Chuck Gentile in suit with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over his poster. Calif. Sales tax issue revived, ASMP supports effort to exempt the licensing of usage rights from the tax.
1999
ASMP criticizes, and writes to, Time Inc. over its Standard Photographer's Agreement; offers to help draft more equitable agreement.
1999
ASMP urges Picture Agency Council of America, PACA, to abide by agreement signed by both entities seven years earlier in interests of equitability for stock photographers.
1999
ASMP declares June 23, when the US Supreme Court made decisions on sovereign immunity, as a "day of infamy." Decision meant state governments and their subsidiaries could use copyrighted works without permission.
1999
ASMP buys 4,100 sq.ft. building in Philadelphia for national office - $319,500. Head office relocated from Princeton Junction, New Jersey, mid-October.
1999
ASMP members lead way in protesting the famed Monterey Bay Aquarium's work for hire policy. Aquarium invites specific examples; offers to address concerns.
1999
U.S. District Court rules in favor of ASMP member Chuck Gentile. Judge Patricia Gaughan throws out Rock Hall of Fame's suit against Gentile over his photograph of Rock Hall used on a poster. ASMP was a principal player in supporting Gentile.
1999
The Tasini Decision. Freelancers given a stunning victory when U.S.Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reversed U.S. District Court decision in Tasini et. al.v. NY Times et. al. The District Court had ruled against authors. Appellate Court reversed decision and directed District Court to enter judgment in favor of authors. Case centered around online use of works originally used in print media. ASMP was a principal supporter of author Jonathan Tasini et. al.

1999

MPCA folded back into ASMP as a program of ASMP, rather than operate as a separate entity as it had been set up in 1993 when, based on legal advice, it was incorporated.
2000
ASMP calls for nominations for biennial awards for members.
2000
ASMP supports and publicizes EP efforts on effecting better editorial rates for freelancers with Business Week.
2000
ASMP applauds Copyright Office efforts to simplify copyright registration. ASMP has been working with the Office for nine years on this effort.
2000
ASMP spotlights problems facing photographers shooting in Santa Barbara, Calif. City council adopts policy that could simplify permit process.
2000
Consolidation of stock industry is still a major issue. Getty Images and Corbis seen as the "800 lb gorillas" of the industry. ASMP's program MPCA's potential is boosted as a result.
2000
Intervention by ASMP at the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta reverses usage language in photographer application. Dropped was language that required permission from the fiesta for photo usage.
2000
ASMP board cancels 2000 Biennial Conference in order to concentrate on programs of higher priority. This is a period of numerous legal battles on many fronts and ASMP is at the forefront of the major cases.
2000
ASMP gets involved in battle with The Boston Globe over the paper's proposed freelancers' contract, in ASMP's view an all-rights grab attempt and a lose-lose deal.
2000
ASMP files position paper on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) with the Copyright Office.
2000
ASMP sponsors a meeting of the heads of various photographic organizations and subscriber lists-EP, APA, PPA and NPPA. Group agrees to work toward standardization of forms and other mutual goals.
2000
Trade associations including ASMP unite in high profile ETW v. Jireh Publishing suit-The Tiger Woods Case-involving a limited print edition showing Woods' image.
2000
The Appellate Court in San Francisco rules that a product shot is entitled copyright protection, a win for photographer Joshua Ets-Hokin who was supported by ASMP in this suit.
2000
ASMP member, legendary New England photographer Arthur Griffin, 97, one of ASMP's oldest living members, gives $10,000 to ASMP Foundation, the single largest contribution by an individual in ASMP's history.
2000
Veteran ASMP member,Ben Ross of New York, is presented the Society's Lifetime Achievement Award by president Gene Mopsik at a members-only reception at PhotoPlus Expo, New York.
2001
Legal battle with The Boston Globe continues-freelancers win round two.
2001
Copyright Office says top priority is being given to finalizing regulations for group registration of photographs. ASMP has been working closely with the Copyright Office on this effort.
2001
ASMP pushes for creation of a cooperative for photographers in licensing images. A Proposal for Independent Creators (by Woody Packard and Tom Guidera III) is published and distributed by ASMP.
2001
ASMP honors Register of Copyrights, Marybeth Peters, at Bradshaw Leadership Conference, Aspen, Colo., for her role in protecting photographers' rights.
2001
Respected consultant to many ASMP members and a long time contributor to the ASMP Bulletin, Elyse Weissberg, 45, dies of cancer.
2001
New regulation for registration of groups of published photographs is signed by Register of Copyrights, Marybeth Peters. A 10-year-effort by ASMP concludes!
2001
ASMP's authoritative book, 6th edition ASMP Professional Business Practices in Photography is published by Allworth Press.
2001
No ASMP members are hurt in terrorist attacks of September 11. ASMP supports fund set up to help photographers affected by attacks. In wake of attack a group of Italian photographers offers free accommodations to ASMP members who wish to get away from it all and visit Italy.
2001
ASMP tries to resolve issue of royalty fees for photocopying through negotiation and dialogue with Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.
2001
ASMP board approves new wide ranging strategic plan as its "road map" charting ASMP's goals for the next few years. The plan was drafted by executive director Richard Weisgrau who also authored the pivotal Future Options Report about 11 years ago. Stated mission of the new plan: "ASMP will create sustainable information, advocacy and communications systems designed to empower independent publication photographers."
2001
Economic downturn affects industry but ASMP's finances and membership position is solid.
2002
ASMP learns the priceless Jacques Lowe collection of about 40,000 negatives of the Kennedy years were lost in the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.
2002
ASMP keeps an eye on accelerating digital photography technology and starts publishing information regularly.
2002
Photographer Leslie Kelly wins case against Web crawler Ditto.com (aka ArribaVista). Court decision means copyright owners worldwide have case law on their side against image search engines that display images on their sites without permission. ASMP was in Kelly's corner from the outset.
2002
ASMP issues warning about clash between newspapers and creators as papers start on campaign to issue new agreements to freelancers. These agreements exploit the work of freelancers without extra compensation for wider usage.
2002
Outgoing ASMP president Dave Harp announces that Philadelphia photographer, Eugene Mopsik, has been appointed ASMP executive director to fill end-of-year vacancy when veteran executive director Richard Weisgrau leaves office. Weisgrau did not seek to renew contract. Mopsik, long serving ASMP officer at chapter and national level, is a past ASMP president. His appointment concludes extensive nationwide search.
2002
ASMP board, with new president Stanley Rowin, announces sweeping changes including a new logo, revamped Web site, and streamlined online Internet presence for the Society in the years ahead.
2002
ASMP loses two of its luminaries: legendary portraitist Yousuf Karsh, 93; Hollywood-celeb shooter, Sid Avery, 83.

ASMP today, through its Web site and other online communications systems, its publications, its national office in Philadelphia, its 39 chapters across the United States, and its more than 5,000 members around the world, represents the very best the photographic profession has to offer.

As Philippe Halsman said many years ago, and it still holds true, "ASMP has grown up to be the industry leader, the standard by which photographic organizations are measured, and the Society that takes care of its own."

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