Image Makers Association Australia acknowledges and pays respect to the  past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of Country throughout Australia.

We recognise their continuous connection to the lands, waters, culture and communities, on and within which we work.

We respectfully advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this website may contain images or names of deceased people.

independent ADVOCACY.

REPRESENTING AUSTRALIAN professional and emerging photographers THROUGH education AND INDUSTRY CONNECTION.

SUPPORTING OUR MEMBERS IN DISPUTES OVER UNLAWFUL USE OF THEIR IMAGES AND MORAL RIGHTS INFRINGEMENTS.

ColLaborating with industry professionals to protect and promote THE rights of professional photography in australia.

CELEBRATING AND PROMOTING THE WORK OF OUR MEMBERS.

INCLUSive - We are a single tier association where all members are valued equally.

Image Makers Association is recognised by the Australian Copyright Council as the representative body for professional photographers in Australia.

WHATSAPP COMMUNITy

The IMAA WhatsApp Community is a thriving platform that professionally connects members with each other and where questions, issues and ideas are discussed.

IMAA members can access the WhatsApp Community link via the Member Collateral tab in the Members area.

 ADVoCACY

In 2023 Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to represent the interests and needs of Australian Image Makers at roundtable consultation processes regarding copyright. A series of roundtables was held with key stakeholders on copyright priorities and emerging issues. The purpose of these discussions was to develop practical and achievable copyright reform proposals for the government to consider and potentially take forward with broad stakeholder support.

Image Makers Association Australia lobbied on behalf of image makers throughout Australia, advocating for the upholding of existing copyright laws, and best practice to improve implementing them. Our surveys produced valuable data that was used to present to government with the aim of supporting Image Makers across Australia to continue to run sustainable and profitable businesses.

  • In late April, Ben Guthrie attended a seminar hosted by the The Copyright Society of Australia about Generative AI and Author Remuneration. The seminar included presentations and discussion by visiting academic Professor Martin Senftleben and Associate Professor Rita Matulionyte, both of whom are experts in copyright law and how it relates to the burgeoning field of generative artificial intelligence. 

    The seminar considered the practicalities of different ways of generating remuneration for copyright owners when their work is used by generative AI. There are currently two vastly different approaches being considered by legal experts around the world: one option would seek payment at the time of training an AI system (inputs) and the other would involve receipt of payment by copyright holders at each moment when an AI output is generated. Pros and cons of each of these approaches were discussed. Generally, the discussion seemed to suggest that while obtaining licenses and payment at the time of input might result in a distribution of income that more clearly and fairly benefits each actual and specific copyright owner, such an approach would likely be very difficult to police/manage due to lack of transparency and also problems with making financial distributions to an incredibly large pool of individual copyright holders. The discussion also broached the problems that might result between different international jurisdictions having different laws around AI training and remuneration and how that might negatively impact AI take-up in jurisdictions where laws were deemed prohibitive by AI businesses. It was then considered that the alternative approach that would see copyright owners remunerated at the time of output would avoid jurisdiction-specific problems, and almost certainly require distribution of funds via national/public collecting agencies, with the resultant payments likely being much smaller for each individual use and also being distributed equally amongst all relevant copyright holders regardless of how much (if any) of their work may have been originally used for AI training purposes. 

    Other topics that were discussed included probable requirements around technical and legal mechanisms to permit copyright holders to either opt-in or opt-out of collective remuneration programs, as well as the ability to opt-in or opt-out of making digital work available to AI training systems. 

    Comfortingly, there was a clear and general agreement by both speakers that copyright holders should be remunerated when their content is used to train AI systems that have a potential to significantly affect right holders' commercial markets, regardless of whether the training occurred in the past, present or future. Compulsory/statutory licensing is generally considered as being the way forward, but licensing schemes should be transparent, effective and fair for all stakeholders. 

    Watch this space as this topic of discussion continues to evolve.

  • Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to be a member of the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG), as announced by the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, on 5 December 2023.

    The first meeting of the group was held in February 2024. The initial focus covered the use of inputs and data that are used to train AI models. After work on inputs has progressed, the department proposes the CAIRG consider issues relating to outputs.

    Image Makers Association Australia continues to advocate at these meetings for the rights of image-makers to be upheld with particular emphasis on the need for owners of AI systems to ensure that all material used as inputs for their businesses is licensed in accordance with applicable copyright laws. You can read our response HERE.

    The Australian Government consultation hub sought views on how the Australian Government can mitigate any potential risks of AI and support safe and responsible AI practices.

    AI is already improving many aspects of our lives. But the speed of innovation in AI could pose new risks, which creates uncertainty and gives rise to public concerns.

    Australia has strong foundations to be a leader in responsible AI. We have world-leading AI research capabilities and are early movers in the trusted use of digital technologies. Australia established the world’s first eSafety Commissioner in 2015 to safeguard Australian citizens online and was one of the earliest countries to adopt a national set of AI Ethics Principles. The consultation will help ensure Australia continues to support responsible AI practices to increase community trust and confidence.

  • On 4 December 2023, the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus KC MP chaired the fourth and final roundtable on copyright for the year in Canberra. This roundtable was attended by Vice President Ben Guthrie.

    Participants reflected on the outcomes of previous roundtables and potential next steps on each of the 5 reform issues discussed in detail this year, should the government decide to take them forward.

    The Attorney-General announced that the government will establish a copyright and AI reference group as an outcome from the roundtables.

    A summary of the meeting is HERE.

  • This roundtable was attended by Vice President Ben Guthrie who participated in conversations relating to Image Makers. The meeting included a session on day one covering the implications of artificial intelligence on copyright, and then on day two a discussion of issues relating to the definition of ‘broadcast’.

    At this meeting with government we advocated for maintaining and strengthening the rights of our members, using data collected from our recent survey on AI.

    A summary of the meeting is available HERE.

  • Image Makers Association Australia prepared a response to the 'Supporting responsible AI: discussion paper’ for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. In preparing our submission we conducted a survey of our members and other commercial photographers on their opinions on how emerging AI technology is impacting their photography businesses. The vast majority of topics canvassed therein relate to copyright.

    View the response submitted HERE.

  • Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to contribute to the second Ministerial Roundtable on Copyright in June 23 run over two half-days.

    The session focused on

    • a limited liability scheme for the use of orphan works (that is, where the copyright owner cannot be found)

    • quotation from copyright material

    • use of copyright material in remote learning environment

    Vice President Ben Guthrie attended and participated in conversations relating to Image Makers.

    A summary of the meeting is available HERE

  • Led by Ben Guthrie, our volunteer committee spent significant effort preparing a survey of photographers throughout Australia, allowing us to provide data and an informed responseto the Government Copyright Enforcement Review public consultation process.

    The Government Copyright Enforcement Review addressed questions around challenges in relation to Copyright Infringement and the economic impact on businesses.

    Our submission provides an indication of how the broader photographic community is being affected by copyright infringement and some proposed changes to the current enforcement mechanisms.

WHY JOIN IMAGE MAKERS ASSOCIATION Australia?

We are passionate about the Association and continue to build our capacity relying on Membership growth to achieve this.

Image Makers Association Australia is a not-for-profit organisation run by a Volunteer Committee and two part time staff members. We are looking to continue to build our capacity and rely on growth of Membership to achieve this. Membership fees cover the ongoing costs of running the organisation, with all funds directed to furthering core business on behalf of Members. 

Being a Member of Image Makers Association Australia ensures your voice can become part of the conversation too. We are here to listen to concerns Members have in their own area/s of practice and offer support along the way. There are also opportunities and a wealth of information available in the Members Only area of the website, which will be fully accessible once you are signed up. 

Financial support is crucial, strength in numbers equally so. The more Members we add to our collective voice, the greater the impact we have. This is true whether it’s a government submission we’re making around copyright law or advocacy for change to awards entry or contract terms.

NOTE: Professional, Assistant/Emerging and Student Memberships are open to individuals only. Bulk discounts are available where a business is wanting to join on behalf of a larger number of employees or represented photographers. This discount is 10% per person in cases where there are 5-9 people gaining access or 20% per person where there are 10 or more.

Please contact info@imagemakersassociation.com.au to further discuss if this describes you.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$500 (Tax deductible for professional photographers and billed annually from date of membership renewal)

ASSISTANT/EMERGING MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$350 (Billed annually from date of membership renewal)

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP FEE AUD$175 (Billed annually from date of membership renewal)

VISUALISATION MEMBERSHIP AUD$2500 for visualisation businesses with 6 or more employees (Billed annually from date of membership renewal). This rate is structured to recognise that there are currently fewer member benefits for this imaging specialisation.

INDUSTRY MEMBERSHIP If you offer a service or product that would be beneficial to the categories of Membership above, we invite you to get in touch via info@imagemakersassociation.com.au to further discuss.

JOINING IMAGE MAKERS ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA REQUIRES YOU TO AGREE TO BOTH OUR CODE OF CONDUCT AND CONSTITUTION.

All MEMBERSHIPS ARE PRICED For INDIVIDUALS.
please contact us if you REQUIRE GROUP MEmberships.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP Professional Members are at the heart of Image Makers Association Australia. Established industry professionals are invited to come on board, benefit from what's already available and help to shape our vision into the future. This Membership category pricing is for an individual.

ASSISTANT/EMERGING MEMBERSHIP This category of membership is intended for people starting their career in photography. Assistants/Emerging photographers are welcome and encouraged to become Members. You are eligible for this discounted category of Membership while you are earning less than 50% of your income from your own photography jobs AND have less than 5 years paid work experience in the industry. This Membership category pricing is for an individual.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP Students are welcome and encouraged to become Members of Image Makers Association Australia. You are eligible for this discounted category of Membership while you are enrolled in a tertiary photography course. You will need to provide a Student Number, student email address and expected graduation date after joining. Your Student details will be verified annually. This Membership pricing category is for an individual.

Member Benefits

  • Image Makers Association Australia is recognised by the Australian Copyright Council as the representative body for Professional Photographers in Australia.

    In 2023 Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to represent the interests and needs of Australian Image Makers at roundtable consultation processes regarding copyright.

    IMAA was also invited by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to be a member of the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG) in 2024, as announced by the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, on 5 December 2023.

  • We advocate for the upholding of Australian Copyright and Moral Rights laws by introducing our association, sharing our educational resources and lobbying for photographers rights. We support our members with referral to legal representation where appropriate.

    Image Makers Association Australia was invited by the Attorney General’s department to represent the interests and needs of Australian Image Makers at roundtable consultation processes.

    We lobbied on behalf of image makers throughout Australia advocating for the upholding of existing copyright laws, and best practice to improve implementing them. Our surveys produced valuable data that was used to present to government with the aim of supporting Image Makers across Australia to continue to run sustainable and profitable businesses.

    Image Makers Association Australia has been invited by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to be a member of the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Reference Group (CAIRG), as announced by the Attorney-General, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, on 5 December 2023. One initial meeting of the group was held in February 2024 with more to follow later in the year.

  • We produce and provide discounted access to educational material that helps support Australian photographers in business.

    We partner with our Industry Members and Affiliates to provide educational webinars on topics most relevant to our Membership.

    We connect with photographers to present & inspire with motivational webinars.

  • All Assistant/Emerging and Student Members can apply to be mentored by one of our Professional Members who have generously donated their time to support the development and evolution of emerging talent in Australia.

    Our mentorship program is exclusively supported by NIKON and one mentee is chosen each year to receive $5000 worth of NIKON equipment based on their engagement with their mentor and the work produced through the mentorship program.

    2023 are closed. 2024 applications will open at the end of 2023.

  • We foster a vibrant and engaged community of commercial photographers with Member needs our top priority.

    Image Makers Association Australia offers a Members Only WhatsApp group, created to provide a quick and easy platform to professionally connect members with each other.

    The group provides a space for members to find assistants, answer technical questions and promote Assistant/Emerging Members.

  • We collaborate with our Affiliates and Industry Members to celebrate commercial photography in Australia. We educate businesses who use images about photographers’ copyright and moral rights.

  • We promote our Members via the Membership list on our website and through online photographer features on Habitus Living and Indesignlive, as part of our strategic partnership with Indesign Media Asia Pacific.

    All Professional Members are invited to participate in our annual ‘1 Shot’ exhibition, exhibiting in Stylecraft Showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney & Perth.

    Through our affiliation with Stylecraft, solo exhibiting applications can be submitted for consideration by all Members.

  • Specular offer preferential pricing to Members on equipment that suits their specific needs.

    michael's Camera Hire offer our Members a 10% discount on products and services.

    Nikon offer all IMAA Members 1 free trial of any Nikon equipment subject to availability.

    Nikon is the exclusive sponsor of the Assistant/Emerging Membership category with one successful mentee awarded $5000 worth of Nikon camera gear of their choice. The mentee is selected by the IMAA Committee based on their engagement and progress in the program.

    Spicers offer our members a discounted rate on Bauhaus, Hahnemuhle and Breathing Color products.

    The Australian Copyright Council (ACC) offers Members a 10% discount on their paid publications and webinars.

    Indesign Media Asia Pacific offer our Members a 50% discount off entry to the INDE awards. The INDE.Awards is the new benchmark for design awards that spans the Indo-Pacific. The program includes two categories for photographers that provides the platform to showcase work in the sphere of architecture and design. Through Indesign’s extensive network there is the opportunity to have work seen, not just on a local or regional platform but also across the globe.

    The Photographer – Commercial and The Photographer – Residential categories criteria states that entries should include a suite of images that explore and tell the story of a project, through the lens.

    The discount code is in the ‘Members Benefits’ section of the Members area.

    Image Science offer our Members a 10% discount on all service orders.

    Stylecraft offer trade discount to our Members on designer furniture.

The Australian Copyright Council outline the copyright issues most relevant to photographers, and respond to some common questions.

GUIDE TO COPYRIGHT COMMISSIONING & PUBLISHING ARCHITECTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This document was originally produced by the ACMP and has been revised by Image Makers Association Australia and reviewed by the Australian Copyright Council for accuracy in relation to Australian copyright law at the publication date. It is endorsed by the Australian Institute of Architects and the Regional Architecture Association. The document is available here for public download and distribution in order to educate about and promote best practice agreements between photographers and the architects, interior designers and the broader design and construction community whose work they document.

Are you a member of Copyright Agency?

 

Copyright Agency is a not-for-profit organisation that collects and distributes copyright fees from the education, government and business sectors. It has nearly 40,000 members who include writers, journalists, illustrators, photographers, cartoonists, painters and sculptors.

Membership is free. Writers and visual artists can be eligible to receive a payment if they provide information about publications containing their works, such as books, journals, magazines and newspapers, and they own copyright in those works. In 2023, we made payments to more than 9,000 writers and artists.

 You can apply for Copyright Agency membership online here. Find out more about membership here.

REport a Copyright concern.

If you have a concern regarding image use, accreditation or terms and conditions of awards programs or on-line publishing, you can contact us below.