AP Images, the commercial photo division of The Associated Press, has rolled out two new services: video and editorial assignments.
According to AP Images global director Fernando Ferre, the AP is in the business of telling stories across all content types—hence the addition of online video to the platform. In addition to breaking news from international and U.S. markets, video content includes entertainment, sports, business, politics and technology.
Files are available in a variety of formats and resolutions, as well as in raw and unvoiced versions for those who want to re-edit material. AP Celebrity Extra, the company’s online video entertainment product, is part of the new video offering.
In addition to its commercial assignment service—which caters to public relations first and corporations—AP Images has announced that its award-winning editorial staff photographers are now also available for hire. “If a particular publication or media outlet wants to use one of our staff photographers for an editorial assignment—photographing Easter festivities in Spain, for example—and it would fit into the photographer’s scheduling and our commitments, we would assign that shooter to the story,” explained AP director of photography Santiago Lyon.
The editorial assignment service roster numbers some 25 shooters, including Pulitzer Prize winner Oded Balilty, World Press Photo top-prize winner Gerald Herbert and others. The service is available globally.