ABOUT US

The British Photographers Alliance was founded by Studio Masters, led by Salli Gainswood, alongside Mike Baker, Kevin Wilson and Martin Graham Dunn. Kevin and Martin have been influential across the UK photographic industry for years, helping shape competition and qualification criteria and training judges in the UK and internationally.

From the start, our aim was to build an ambitious learning platform with real depth. For two years we uploaded nine new pieces of content every month, creating hundreds of hours of education and inspiration across multiple genres. As the community grows, we are now welcoming new contributors, with one key requirement: content in Develop must be Associate level, so members are always learning from work that meets a recognised standard.

This is a community built to move photographers forward. Members can enter monthly competitions and receive feedback that builds genuine confidence and skill. If you are working towards qualifications, you can request recorded training for the areas you are struggling with, helping you improve, qualify, and if you want to take a semi / professional route, show potential clients you are worth investing in. Over time, many members will go on to become content providers themselves, strengthening the community for everyone.

If you are looking for a place to belong, you are in the right place. You will find a friendly, supportive environment where you can make real connections and get involved at your own pace. We also run regular training days, plus a mix of portfolio builders for those who want to learn and create images for camera club competitions. Paid members receive discounts on events and savings across all shop products.

We will also be introducing accreditations for hobbyists, while keeping Licentiate, Associate and Fellowship for those who want a more challenging path. And looking ahead, we will be launching our annual Gold Award print competition, headed by Martin Graham Dunn and Kevin Wilson, judged by some of the strongest judges in the UK. A Gold award will be a true mark of excellence, earned through the quality and integrity of the judging.