The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) is celebrating 80th anniversary Offering eight weeks of festivals and events across the United States in style, as well as a never-before-seen look at the rich and historic ASMP archives.
Founded in New York City in 1944, ASMP has played a vital role in advocating for photographers in a variety of situations, ensuring they are safe, respected, and professionally successful.
“What ASMP does… The core principle of ASMP is that the world is a more vibrant place when society supports the visual and creative communities, protects them and encourages them to do the best they can. Create. This is what we have always focused on and is at the core of our ethos as an association,” says Thomas Maddrey, chief executive of ASMP.
ASMP National Board Chair Kevin Brusi emphasizes how ASMP serves as a steward of the history of photography and its impact on society at large.
“ASMP archivist Grayson Dantzik summed it up best: ‘The history of ASMP is the history of photography!’ The industry has benefited greatly over the past 80 years from the dedicated efforts of ASMP’s staff and thousands of member volunteers. Such significant advances in copyright and business practices can be traced in a direct line back to ASMP, and every working photographer today stands on the shoulders of all who came before and supported this organization.
Brusi says ASMP fights for the rights of all creators and that these efforts are active and ongoing. He further says that this work is still as important as it was before and is just as necessary.
To celebrate this milestone, ASMP is hosting eight events, four in-person and four virtual. The first event is tomorrow, October 11th in Chicago. This is a personal lighting workshop hosted by accomplished photographer Stephen Carlish, followed by a public reception.
Other 80th anniversary events this month include a presentation on October 15 by Maddrey and attorney Scott Burroughs on copyright, the U.S. Supreme Court and artificial intelligence. This will be followed by a presentation on creative directors on October 24, moderated by Karen Williams. The final event of October, the NANPA Showcase 2026 livestream and winner reveal, is on October 30. Full details of these events and information about future events are available at dedicated ASMP 80th Anniversary Website,
“A hallmark of the work ASMP has done over the past 80 years has been the community aspect that is part of each of our events,” says Melanie Porter, Chief Operating Officer of ASMP, about the importance of ASMP events. “Since that first meeting of like-minded photographers in New York in the fall of 1944, we know this is a tradition we are proud to carry on as ASMP continues to innovate and grow.”
Another aspect of the 80th anniversary celebration involves looking to the past rather than the future of photography. The ASMP Archives exhibit will be available at each individual event and will include some never-before-seen works by renowned photographers and former ASMP members, including Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Arnold Newman, Bernice Abbott, Richard Avedon, Stanley Kubrick, Edward Weston, and many others. ASMP Archivist Grayson Dantzik will take audiences on a journey into ASMP’s historical past through the work of world-renowned photographers.
The ASMP Archives exhibition is supported in part by Adobe, which describes the archival work as “a celebration of 80 years of legendary photographers.” ASMP’s 80th Anniversary Celebration is also supported by Fujifilm, MPB, Profoto, Sony and Westcott. Each title sponsor will participate in giveaways, discounts and more over the next two months, culminating in a special celebration in New York City on December 5.
Maddrey concluded, “The ASMP Archives is a unique, unknown gem in the history of photography. Very few, if any, collections of photographic memorabilia come close to the depth and breadth of what ASMP has compiled over the past 80 years. And we can’t wait to share highlights of this collection with the membership and the entire world for the first time.”
Image Credit: American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)
