Eugene Mopsik, the executive director of the
American Society of Media Photographers, has received the 2010 International Photographic Council Photographer Leadership Award, selected by the association as the member who best represents the group’s criteria and ideals. Mopsik will be among winners recognized at the IPC’s 12th annual awards luncheon held at the United Nations on May 20th.
Founded in 1944, ASMP has more than 6,000 members and 39 chapters across the U.S. Mopsik has held his post since 2003 and is credited with the Society’s largest membership growth and expansion of its industry and legislative influence and impact. He is also an active member, having served on the ASMP board and as its president in 2000-2001.
In his capacity of ASMP executive director, Mopsik has spearheaded numerous advocacy initiatives, from engaging in contract discussions with Nielsen Corp., Getty Images and The New York Times to lobbying for photographer interests to be addressed by upcoming orphan-works legislation. He was also instrumental in securing foreign royalty funding through eh Author’s Coalition of America.
IPC, a United Nations organization that promotes peace through photography, presents Photographer Leadership Awards each May. In addition to Mopsik, this year’s winners include: Jim McHugh of Advertising Photographers of America, Dennis Craft of Professional Photographers of America, James Pool of Professional School Photographers Association International, Jon Elswick of the White House News Photographers Association and Andy Marcus of Wedding & Portrait Photographers International.