Join IPPVA

Why join the IPPVA?

Joining the IPPVA means you become part of the longest-serving business network of photographers and videographers in Ireland, having been established in 1949.

As well as professional supports such as mentoring and training, the IPPVA supports the economic interests of its members through government lobbying and the social interests of its members through in-person activities.

As a volunteer-led not-for-profit association, the IPPVA is always open to members to contribute their time, expertise and ideas to the future of the association and welcomes members playing an active role in driving the direction of the association.

Photographers and videographers in Ireland tend to be small businesses and sole-traders. The power of numbers that a representative association offers creates a stronger voice for the industry as a whole, which in turn brings benefits for everybody.

Benefits of joining the IPPVA

Education, Events & Mentoring Opportunities

Education, training and mentoring are core functions of the IPPVA and members get exclusive access to events, workshops and courses. Our membership of Skillnet offers members access to a wide range of training services, often at discounted rates, and we frequently run in-house workshops, seminars and online training to enhance member’s skills and encourage Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in all areas of our businesses.

Irish Professional Photographer & Videographer Awards

The Irish Professional Photographer and Videographer Awards run annually and are the showcase awards for our industry. Judged based on criteria of technical excellence, impact and creativity, the IPPVA awards have a crediblity that few other photography or videography awards in Ireland carry.

Our awards are judged anonymously by qualified and experienced panels of Irish and international judges, and only images that meet the highest standards can obtain an IPPVA award. As such, an IPPVA award is a mark of excellence for any individual piece of work, or a body of work.

Support Network

Join a support network of fellow professionals who offer advice, expertise and emergency cover as required.

Credibility / Authority

Being a member of the IPPVA will help enhance your reputation as a professional photographer or videographer in Ireland, and it will show your potential clients that you run your business with integrity, expertise and professionalism while aiming to excel in everything you do for your clients.

Government lobbying and advocacy

Over its long history the IPPVA has lobbied government on areas including VAT rates, drone regulations, business supports for Covid-19, and artist recognition. The IPPVA also advocates for its members in copyright disputes and can assist members with arbitration or advice for any legal or business difficulties.

Partners Discounts

Benefit from members discounts with our partners, which include insurance, equipment, printing labs and more.

IPPVA full members get

A profile listing in our SEO-Optimised online directory
An “IPPVA Member” seal to use on your website & social media
Access to dedicated resources for professional photographers & videographers
Opportunity to be featured on our blog
A subsidised professional development & training programme
Access to the IPPVA awards
Support, advice & networking opportunities
Members-only industry discounts
Access to private IPPVA Member Community Group
Regular members-only newsletter
Membership of the Federation of European Photographers (FEP) and “European Photographer” status.

IPPVA Membership Fees

Full Membership

Only practising Professional Photographers & Videographers who have successfully completed the application & qualification process may be considered for FULL membership of the Association. One panel submission is included in the first year’s membership.

€250
Student Membership

Any person studying a recognised academic or technical photography or videography course for career purposes. Student Members get access to IPPVA events, discounts on goods and services, support & networking.

€50
Retired Membership

Members who were previously FULL members can opt for this category when they can demonstrate that they have clearly retired from the business of professional photography. Retired members still get access to IPPVA events, discounts on goods and services, support & networking.

€50
Licentiateship Panel Submission

Full Members of the IPPVA practising both Photography and Videography professionally need to submit a Licentiateship panel for both to be listed under both categories.

€50
Associateship Panel Submission

A candidate for Associateship MUST hold Licentiateship of the IPPVA for at least two years. The cost of submission is payable in advance.

€50
Fellowship Panel Submission

A candidate for Fellowship must hold Associateship of the IPPVA for at least two years. The cost of submission is payable in advance.

€100

Returning Members

If you have been an IPPVA member in the past, welcome back! We invite you to use this link to re-activate your original membership and update your contact information within two years of cancelling. We invite you to contact the IPPVA office via phone or email to verify that our records are in agreement.

Studio Membership

Discounts are available to studios employing multiple photographers. Members joining under a Studio membership must share a company name, address, and website to be eligible. Only full members are eligible to be considered for Studio Membership. Studio memberships require an email or phone call to the IPPVA Office.

Full Membership Application process

Check the application requirements below in detail.
Submit your application with relevant documents along with the application fee (€50)
Submit your panel for your Licentiateship Qualification (LIPPVA).
On acceptance, pay the balance of the membership fee and become a full IPPVA Member.

Application Requirements for Full Membership

Each applicant must:

Be primarily and professionally engaged in photography or videography, either self-employed or employed.
Operate their businesses in a professional manner, including fulfilling their contractual obligations to their clients.
Operate in accordance with the code of ethics of the IPPVA and to uphold the standards of the association in their dealings with the public and their fellow members.
Have Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance in the industry standard amount of €6.5 million and produce certificates of cover on application and renewal.
Have a valid tax clearance from the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland.
Have a professional website showcasing their photography or videography services.
Have a photography or videography services related business or company name registered at the Companies Registration Office Ireland.
Pay membership subscription fees on demand.
Achieve the Licentiate Qualification of the Association. Licentiateship is the first level of qualification within the IPPVA and shows the photographer or videographer to be a qualified professional person. (Panel requirements are listed below.)

Before submitting your panel, we highly recommend you seek feedback from someone you value in the industry.

Note: On application, you will be required to pay a €50 non-refundable application fee. If your panel is successful, the application fee will be deducted from the membership amount for the first year.

If your panel is successful
You will officially become an IPPVA Full Member… Our team will be in contact with you regarding the private IPPVA Facebook Group information, IPPVA Member logo etc.

If your panel is unsuccessful
If your panel application fails through, the IPPVA will provide you with a list of IPPVA mentors and you can avail of 1h mentoring as part of the application process to help you submit a stronger panel within 12 months.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a successful outcome. If you are unsuccessful, the panel judges will offer you feedback and options for your continuing development will be discussed with you.

LIPPVA Qualification

Licentiateship is the first level of qualification within the IPPVA and shows the photographer or videographer to be a qualified professional person. It shows a good level of skill and competence.

Judging of Licentiateship photography panels is by IPPVA Associates and Fellows.

HOW

Once your application has been approved (see criteria above), you will be asked to submit your panel of images.

Requirements for the submission

Photographers

Please submit 20 images that you think represent your best work.

Requirements

A mixture of disciplines is allowed, however, please submit a minimum of 5 images per discipline.
If you are specialising in a particular genre, you are encouraged to submit 20 images for that particular speciality (Weddings, portrait, commercial landscape etc).
When submitting wedding or portrait images, please don’t include more than 2 images from the same wedding, commercial or portrait sitting.
For commercial photography (incl. Advertising, press & PR, Fashion etc) no more than 50% of images can be from self-commissioned/personal work.

Image guidelines

The images must be 4000px on the longest side. 72 DPI

Images MUST have no photographer/studio name on them; if so, they will automatically be disqualified. Images must be numbered JPEG 1 to 20 as you want them to be presented in the panel.

The work will be assessed for:

Camera Work
Post-production
Composition
Use of light
Posing (when applicable)

While the criteria above are here to guide you, the panel judges are looking to see that the photographer is proficient in using the camera in a technically correct way and producing images of high quality.

Videographers

Please submit 3 links to video samples that you think represent your best work.