As planned, the Stock Artists Alliance has merged with the Alliance of Visual Artists, which now unites six photo industry groups and their 45,000 members. SAA’s own membership now stands at over 400.
Other AVA members include Commercial Photographers International, Evidence Photographers International Council, Professional Photographers of America, Society of Sport and Event Photographers, and Student Photographic Society. Each member body retains its identity and focus while benefitting from operating and financial efficiencies of being part of a larger entity.
The SAA says that AVA’s aggressive and well-funded Capitol Hill lobbying campaign is among the most significant immediate benefits of the merger for stock artists. Currently, advocacy efforts focus on accessibility of healthcare to photographers and, of course, copyright.
SAA president Shannon Fagan sees the merger as helping the organization keep up with evolving licensing methodologies. “What we considered as protocol is no longer, and it is our duty as active professionals to retool, rethink and realign our goals. We… align ourselves with AVA to give our members the best opportunities for sustained growth and leadership in this rapidly changing industry,” he explained.
SAA members will also benefit from educational and networking opportunities through AVA and its flagship event, Imaging USA. The January 2010 photo convention and expo will feature a series of stock photography-centric classes.