About

ASMP Kansas City / Mid America

The Kansas City/ Mid-America chapter of the ASMP holds regular presentations, guest speakers, and social events most months of the year. They range from evening seminars by nationally recognized experts in all areas of the business of photography; to chapter meetings on topics such as copyright registration, estimating, workflow and marketing; to Pints and Pixels social gatherings in member photographer’s studios and happy hours in different venues around the city. We also hold meetings at local photography related business’ and organizations including: Lights On, H&H Color Lab, and the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, just to name a few

The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)

ASMP is a trade association of professional photographers, including many different disciplines. Its members are primarily those who photograph for publication as a career. The ASMP advocates for photographers’ legal rights, supports information sharing among members, and provides business and technical information. The ASMP has more than 7000 members in 39 chapters across the USA.

Nick Vedros, Founding President of ASMP KC Mid America teaching at the Assistant’s Workshop in 2014.

Kansas City Chapter History

In the early 1980s there were some great photographers and amazing work being produced in Kansas City. The studio’s were independent and out of touch with one another. In 1983, David Ludwigs (RIP), Hollis Officer,
Ernie Block, Mike Radencich and Nick Vedros started getting together to discuss the difficulties in their industry.  Among them, there was a desire to bring down the barriers that had grown up around them so informal get together’s were held at each others studio’s. Established national organizations, the APA and ASMP both courted this small group to establish a new chapter. In 1984 the ASMP won the day and petitioned to build a Midwest Chapter representing 3 states Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. Nick Vedros was elected the founding President. Gradually, Kansas City began to have more uniform business goals and through this association, the world of photography improved for professional photographers.