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You can apply for membership or sponsorship at any time (a corresponding application form is available here). As an active member, you are expected to dedicate approximately ten days a year to contribute to the IPQB — by participating in one or more working groups of your choice. Preference will be given to new members with experience in training photography professionals or running accredited photography courses.
All IPQB members work on a voluntary basis. There are different types of membership at the International Photography Qualifications Board:
Active Board Members
Active members are elected during the general meeting and have the right to vote on all critical decisions within the association. An active member can be an individual or a representative of a sponsoring organization. To achieve the status of an active member, one must have contributed actively and productively to one or more IPQB working groups over an extended period of time.
Supporting Board Members
Supporting members are generally individuals. They can hold either an active or passive membership status. Supporting members are not required to pay a membership fee.
Sponsoring Board Members
Sponsoring members are typically organizations or businesses that wish to support IPQB and its objectives through membership fees. These include training institutes, photography studios, equipment providers, or other organizations that directly or indirectly contribute to professional photography education and development.
The association was founded in 2024 by a group of dedicated photography professionals and educators. The IPQB brings together experts from various domains of photography, including professional photographers, trainers, studio owners, equipment specialists, and academic contributors. Its members include professionals from the photography industry, training institutes, consulting, academia, and other photography-related organizations.
The purpose of the association is to standardize and elevate the quality of photography education and certification internationally, ensuring that photographers receive globally recognized, professional qualifications.
We manage the development and administration of standardized curricula for professional photography education. This includes defining examinations for certification based on the IPQB-approved curricula, ensuring the professional quality and credibility of further photography training. The IPQB (registered non-profit association) does not directly provide training or exams but determines examination rules and regulations, grants licenses to accredited training course providers and certification bodies, and oversees all associated processes. All IPQB activities are based on voluntary contributions — active members do not receive any earnings or fees for their participation.
As a financially supporting member, you become part of a robust network of professional photographers, trainers, and educators. You will benefit from the collective expertise and insights of our members, many of whom are leading photography trainers or industry specialists. It’s also an excellent opportunity to connect with industry experts, make valuable partnerships, and even attract new talent to your organization.
Financially supporting members will have their names and logos prominently featured on the IPQB website. This allows your organization to showcase its association with a respected, globally recognized photography certification body.
Additionally, financially supporting members can nominate a representative to actively contribute to IPQB working groups. This enables you to voice your input on the curriculum and ensure it aligns with the evolving demands of the photography industry.