November 1997 Bulletin Cover Image Timeless Beauty by member Jan Cobb, New York
The Archives of the American Society of Media Photographers (the “Society”) is a preeminent collection of primary sources documenting the history of the Society and photography in America, and ASMP is dedicated to preserving the association’s work product and the contribution of work product by the association’s members in their roles as industry leaders and influencers.
As the Society arrives at its 75th anniversary, the ASMP National Board and its staff is working to establish the Archives as a resource to serve as a point of reference for legal briefs, dissertations, exhibitions, catalogs, articles, and books on American photography and photographers, by preserving the history of its members and the art of photography, which without a central repository such as the Archives would otherwise be lost.
To learn more about the incredible collection of documents in the Archives, listen to the ASMP Experts & Masters podcast (Episode 23) with ASMP Executive Director Tom Kennedy and ASMP Archives Curator Grayson Dantzic.
Expanding Archives Collection
Going forward, the Society looks for the Archives to become a vital resource to anyone interested in the American photography culture over the past 75 years with its collection of letters, financial records, legal records, photographs, audio recordings of founding members, and various documentation generated by ASMP members, association directors, legal advisors, and industry leaders over the past seven decades.
Through collecting, preserving, and providing future access to its collection, the Society looks to providing its resources to inspire new ways of interpreting visual arts in America, and provide current and future generations a place to explore and study pieces of America’s rich photographic heritage. As such, the Society not only wants to preserve the current collection of work, but would like the Archives to continue growing. With the rich and vibrant work of its member, the Society would like to invite members to consider contributing a piece of work, and/or any documentation related to the history of the photographic arts in America to the Archives.
If you would like to contribute creative work or documentation to the Archives, please go to ASMP Archives, and complete the Archives Submission Form.
Featured Image: Bruce McLaren in his McLaren M7A at the United States Grand Prix held at Watkins Glen, New York on October 6, 1968. © Alvis Upitis