The British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) is an internationally recognised qualifying organisation with over 100 years of experience in supporting photographers.
We have over 3,200 members worldwide, covering every discipline of photography.
The core aims of BIPP are to train, qualify and support professional photographers.
We offer a challenging qualifications structure, a full programme of training courses and events and a number of preferential deals on useful products and services.
We also work with a number of colleges, including the Defence School of Photography and the National Policing Improvements Agency to ensure the future of the professional photographic industry.
One of the key areas of our work is representation, we represent professional photography to government and industry.
BIPP is a not-for-profit organisation, run by photographers, in conjunction with a small Head Office team. Our Advisory Boards, Board of Directors (elected by our Members) and all Regional Committees are run by volunteers, who give their time freely.
Image Copyright: Kevin Pengelly FBIPP
History of the BIPP
There is general agreement that professional photography emerged in 1842, just three years after William Fox Talbot demonstrated his 'photogenic drawings' to the Royal Institution and the Royal Society. The evidence is in an advertisement suggesting that photographic portraits would make useful Christmas presents, studios were besieged and photography emerged as a profession.
On 28 March 1901, at a meeting at a hotel in Fleet Street, one hundred photographers assembled and unanimously formed 'The Professional Photographers' Association'. Branches were formed in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Hull and Liverpool and in 1907 the membership stood at 757. Evolving through the years and after three name changes, we have become The British Institute of Professional Photography.