ABOUT IPAA
Photography as art. Connection as a beginning.
Photography begins with a personal way of seeing, but its life continues through encounters with others. A scene, a face or a moment can connect people across languages, experiences and cultures.
IPAA is taking shape from a desire to create space for these encounters — through photographic exhibitions, the exchange of ideas and the presentation of original work.
About IPAA
The International Photographic Arts Association is dedicated to developing and presenting photographic art. We aim to connect photographers, clubs and organizers who share a commitment to photography and to its responsible evaluation.
We understand photography as a combination of observation, knowledge, feeling and the choices an author makes. We recognize the value of a work in the way its subject, light and composition form a compelling whole — and in what it leaves with the viewer.
We welcome different photographic approaches, from documentary testimony and direct encounters with life to carefully constructed artistic visions. We value originality, consistency of personal expression and a thoughtful relationship with the chosen medium.
Our mission
Our mission is to create opportunities to exhibit, exchange experience and grow as photographers, with clear conditions of entry and careful evaluation of submitted work.
Through international exhibitions and collaboration, we aim to introduce audiences to different ways of seeing the world and give authors opportunities for their work to be seen, considered and preserved in exhibition records.
We particularly wish to encourage photographers to develop their own visual language, explore new subjects and build coherent bodies of work.
The values that guide us
Personal expression
We value photographs that convey a personal perspective, intention and creative choice.
Careful and fair judging
We advocate clearly published rules, responsible selection of juries and evaluation based on the quality of the submitted work.
Respect for authors
Authorship, correct attribution and the use of photographs within the published conditions are the foundations of trust.
Exchange and collaboration
We aim to build connections between photographers, clubs and organizers, respecting different experiences and cultural backgrounds.
Continuing development
We support learning, exploration and perseverance. Every exhibition can offer an opportunity for authors to see their work from a new perspective.
Exhibitions and recognition
We see exhibitions as meeting places for creative ideas and audiences. Awards highlight works a jury has judged particularly successful within a given exhibition, while the archive preserves a record of the photographs presented and their authors.
Our goal is for attention to photography to continue beyond the closing date — through results, catalogues and the rediscovery of work.
An invitation to collaborate
IPAA seeks to bring together people who approach photography with curiosity, knowledge and creative freedom. We invite photographers, clubs and organizers to share ideas for exhibitions, original projects and collaboration.
We build a shared space for photographic art through every responsibly organized encounter and every thoughtfully presented work.