The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is an American professional association made up of still photographers, television videographers, editors, and students in the journalism field. Founded in 1946, the organization is based in at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. The NPPA places emphasis on photojournalism, or journalism that presents a story through the use of photographs or moving pictures. The NPPA holds annual competitions as well as several quarterly contests, seminars, and workshops designed to stimulate personal growth in its members. It utilizes a mentor program which offers its members the opportunity to establish a relationship with a veteran NPPA member and learn from them. The organization also offers a critique service, a job bank, an online discussion board, and various member benefits.
Their members include still and television photographers, editors, students and representatives of businesses that serve the photojournalism industry. , NPPA had total membership at just over 6,000.
Members of NPPA abide by a strict code of ethics.
Incorporation
NPPA was incorporated on October 3, 1947. The original certificate of incorporation outlined six key objectives.
To advance press photography in all its branches
To promote the general welfare and conditions in the press photography field
To create, promote, and maintain cordial relations and cooperation, a higher spirit of fraternalism, the interchange of thought and opinion freely, and a high standard of conduct among its members To distribute and disseminate accurate information in regard to matters pertaining to the photographic press of the nation To settle equitably and justify the differences between its members To preserve, stabilize, unify, and coordinate all elements of the photographic press of the nation
The NPPA is a 501(c)(6) organization.
Notable past members
James Atherton, veteran news photographer who caught iconic moments through a lens in Washington D.C. for over forty years Marion Carpenter, first female National Press Photographer to cover Washington, D.C., the White House and travel with a U.S. President
Advocacy
In August of 2019 the National Press Photographers Association and the American Society of Media Photographers filed an amicus brief in support of Jim Olive in University of Houston System vs. Jim Olive Photography, D/B/A Photolive, Inc. The brief was joined by the North American Nature Photography Association, Graphic Artists Guild, American Photographic Artists, and Professional Photographers of America. "The case began when Texas photographer Jim Olive discovered that the University of Houston was using one of his aerial photographs for marketing purposes without permission. When Olive asked the University to pay for the use, they refused and told him they were shielded from suit because of sovereign immunity, which protects state government entities from many lawsuits." After a negative ruling from a Texas appellate court Olive hopes to continue his fight.