1/5/2010

How we got started:

In 1975 an exhibition of 400 photographs entitled “Breadth of Vision: Portfolios of Women Photographers” at the Fashion Institute of Technology galvanized a group of women to begin getting together regularly, sharing information, stories and work-in-progress. The women involved in the exhibition then invited others to join them. In the ’70′s there was a real need for women to become politically aware and to support each other in the male-dominated photography arena.

It was out of these gatherings that Professional Women Photographers developed with a name, a format for monthly meetings and a tax-exempt status. Although the meetings became more formal in the ’80′s, the members experimented with many new ideas and activities: participation in 1983 in an “Art Parade” in New York City, a joint exhibition entitled “Women Photographers; New York/Tokyo” that took place at Nikon House in New York and at the Konica Gallery in Tokyo, Japan, an auction and a variety of workshops. The ’90′s brought more activities and exhibitions including “All Americans,” an exhibit that traveled in Europe and the United States in 1996 and a show of members’ work at Lever House in Manhattan in that same year.

Who we are today:

PWP is an active group of over 200 photographers. Many are full time working photographers, some work part-time both in fine art and commercial areas and others work in related fields as photo editors, photo researchers and curators. And, since almost all members are working digitally – either shooting, scanning, printing or all three, the sharing of information through PWP’s very active group email as well as through small informal venues is an important part of our program.

On the first Wednesday of each month, from September through June, the group meets to look at the work of one or more guest presenters and discuss a range of issues surrounding photographers in today’s world. These meetings provide an opportunity to network and share concerns and information with colleagues in an informal setting. Small group committee meetings also offer the opportunity to get involved in greater depth by working on a specific aspect of PWP’s activities. And today, PWP also gives back to the community and the industry through its student awards and frequent workshops and exhibitions.

Even though today the number of women photographers is about equal to men, there is still a need to hear women speak about how they have created lives for themselves, combining photography with other demands such as parenting and partnering. At Professional Women Photographers we still speak from the heart, sharing what nurtures our art.

How we operate:

Professional Women Photographers, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) organization incorporated in the State of New York.

The organization is operated solely by volunteers, which include an all-volunteer Board of Directors. The term of each Board Member is three years. Each year, a nominating committee is formed to solicit members for a slate to fill open positions. That slate and any other nominations are presented to the membership and voted on at the PWP Annual Meeting. Nominees are elected to general Board positions and the Board then meets to elect the specific officers and director positions.

As a rule, an individual should have served as a PWP volunteer for at least one year before being eligible for a board position.

The Board meets monthly during the September – June operational period and will meet once or twice in the summer as needed.

Currently, the Board of Directors is made up of 13 positions; 4 officers and 9 directors.

2009 – 2010