Online Camera Trading Platform MPB Announced As Sponsor For The 2024 Association Of Photographers (AOP) Awards

© MPB/AOP

The Association of Photographers has announced that MPB, the global online platform for trading in used photographic and video equipment, is the headline sponsor for this year’s 39th annual awards. The Awards celebrate the very best in professional photography and judging by 30 category judges has already begun across the Award’s 10 categories with results due to be announced at the AOP’s annual showcase event in September.

Association of Photographers CEO Isabelle Doran says, ‘As a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to protecting photographers’ and image-makers’ interests, we’re really thrilled to have MPB supporting our 39th AOP Photography Awards as our headline sponsor this year. Its commitment to sustainable business practice and human-creative endeavour comes at a critical time under the contrariety of GenAI. Together with a stellar group of judges who all advocate the skill and talent that professional photographers bring, we can’t wait to showcase the very best visual work our photographers have produced over the past year.’

‘We are delighted to support the latest celebration of the AOP’s photographers’ stunning work from the past 12 months. The AOP’s dedication to the protection and guidance of visual storytellers is a cause also shared by MPB, as we look to make photography accessible for all.’  Katie Thompson – Head of Marketing UK&I, MPB.

Among the prestigious photographers, commissioners and industry representatives who make up this year’s judging panel are:

• Fashion & Beauty judge Safia Minney MBE FRSA

Safia is an award-winning, international social entrepreneur, speaker and advisor. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a global CEO of the company she founded, People Tree, developing the first sustainable and Fair Trade supply chains and standards with advisory roles within industry bodies. Safia is seen as a thought leader in sustainable fashion and as an influencer in sustainability and modern slavery. She has received an MBE for services to Fair Trade and the fashion industries.

• Documentary Award judge Olivia Arthur

Olivia began working as a photographer in 2003 and 10 years later she became a full member of Magnum Photos. Much of her work has illuminated the daily lives of women across countries as varied as Saudi Arabia, India and across Europe. Her work has been shown in publications including The New Yorker, Vogue and TIME magazine. In 2010, she co-founded Fishbar, a publisher and space for photography in London.

• Project Award judge Miles Aldridge

Miles’ photography mixes historic and modern motifs and his interest in art history has led to collaborations with artists such as Gilbert and George, Maurizio Cattelan and Harland Miller. He has had many major museum exhibitions, and his work is held in prestigious museums and institutions including the V&A and British Museum in London, the Fondation Carmignac and the Palais Galliera in Paris, the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and the International Centre of Photography in New York.

Full list of judges as below:

• Documentary: Olivia Arthur, Photographer – Magnum Photos; Laura Summerton, Photography Manager – Water Aid; Krishna Sheth, Head of Photography – The Economist 1843 Magazine
• Environment: Alan McFetridge, Artist & Photographer; David Gray, Content Director – Finisterre; Chrissy Levett, Co-founder and CEO – Creative Conscience
• Fashion and Beauty: Kaj Jeffries, Director & Photographer; Jamie Spence, Visuals Director – British VOGUE; Safia Minney MBE FRSA – British social entrepreneur and author, former Global CEO and founder of People Tree
• Food and Drink: Julie Fisher, Ruby Violet, Founder & Ice cream Innovator (& Former AOP Photographer) – Ruby Violet; Ginny Rolfe, Head Food Stylist, Jamie Oliver Limited; Rich Robinson, Head of Creative – M&S Food.
• Lifestyle: Julian Love, Photographer; Matthew Beaman, Director of Photography – Monocle; Jaki Jo Hannan, Head of Print Production – Adam & Eve DDB.
• Portrait: Emma Hardy, Photographer; Russ O’Connell, Picture Editor – The Sunday Times Magazine; Nella Souskova, Photography & Design – Thames & Hudson Ltd
• Spaces: James Merrell, Photographer; Caroline Rowland, Founding Editor – 91 Magazine; Fiona Naylor, Co Founder – Johnson Naylor | Interior Architecture & Design
• Sport: Henrik Sørensen, Photographer; Helen Stergios, Design Director – Nike; Leon Yearwood, Picture Editor – Sky Sports
• Still Life and Object: Kevin Mackintosh, Photographer; Jaina Minton, Set Designer & Prop Stylist; Jon Clarke, Production Director – Lucky Generals
• Project: Miles Aldridge, Photographer; Christiane Monarchi, Editor – Hapax Magazine; Clare Grafik, Head of Exhibitions – The Photographers’ Gallery
• Best – Commissioned Work: Jacqui Dixon, Art Buyer and Stills Producer
• Best – Non-Commissioned / Personal Work: Tracey Marshall Grant, Arts Director, Curator & Producer 

The judges will identify the finalists and ultimately the AOP’s Gold and Silver winners in each category. In addition, two Best in Show judges will judge awards for Best Commissioned and Best Personal work from all the selected finalists.

The 39th AOP Photography Awards are further supported by Category Sponsors: MOT Models, Fair Licensing created by Pixray, Peerspace, Williamson Carson – Insurance for Creative Industries, Genesis Imaging and Capture One.

For further information, please visit the MPB website and the AOP awards website.