ASMP and NANPA Combine into a New Photography Association

The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) has combined with the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to form a new photography association with combined benefits of both.

The new organization will continue with the ASMP name and will formally launch in January of 2023. The NANPA Board of Trustees, which has focused on nature photography, will operate within ASMP and have its own dedicated funding. The headquarters of the new combined group will be consolidated into the ASMP’s current San Francisco offices.

ASMP’s CEO James Edmund Datri, who has over 14 years experience leading and growing prominent national member organizations, will be the CEO of the combined organization, and many of NANPA’s current contracting staff will remain to ensure continuity in the management of NANPA legacy programs, along with a permanent position dedicated to overseeing nature photography programs. All current and new nature photography programs will be associated with NANPA and will carry the NANPA brand.

The new organization will boast 6,500 total members: 4,000 legacy ASMP members and 2,500 NANPA members. The ASMP says that all of them will get access to a combined array of member benefits including educational programs, in-person and online photography events, local and regional networking, leadership opportunities, and multi-day conferences that each organization currently offers — all without any increase in dues.

The organization adds that a series of “innovative new benefits” will also be rolled out in the coming months, including significant expansions focused on nature photography, advertising industry work, and the ASMP Academy Powered by Sony, which launched earlier this year.

“Through a consolidation of expenses in a whole range of areas like accounting, database management, insurance, marketing, and administrative functions, we’ll be able to invest even more money into expanding programs and creating member benefits that you won’t be able to find anywhere else,” Beth Huning, NANPA’s Board President says.

“ASMP has many nature photographers in its membership; the great Ansel Adams himself was a long-time member. And NANPA has many successful media photographers in its ranks. So there will be opportunities for our members to significantly expand personal and professional networks, both in and beyond their existing areas of work,” Michael Shay, ASMP’s Board Chair, adds.

This December, to-be-announced town hall meetings will allow members from both ASMP and NANPA to learn about the new combined organization and have the opportunity to have any questions they might have answered.