Diversity and Inclusion

Photographer Martine Séverin leads APA's working group on developing and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

American Photographic Artists (APA) stands in solidarity in the fight against racism and injustice. We are working to be a more socially just and inclusive organization. 

This Diversity Committee is charged with clearing a path to success for its members who are traditionally underrepresented or marginalized; BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color), Women, AAPI (Asian American & Pacific Islanders), LGBTQIA+ and those with physical challenges. 

APA Diversity Committee Chair: Martine Séverin - diversity@apanational.org

Please view the work from some of our Diversity Committee members.

The APA Diversity Committee meet-up at Palm Springs Photo Festival 

APA Statement againt Racism and Injustice March 2021

APA Statement against Racism and Injustice June 2020

Programming 2024 Podcasts

Scopes are held on the dates below from 4-5pm PST/ 6pm-7pm CST/ 7-8pm EST

January 15, 2024  Conversation with Chad Unger:  Deaf LGBT+: An Untold Perspective of Living Through The AIDS Crisis 

February 12, 2024 The Creative Director & Producer’s Viewpoint: Creating Change: Building Safe and Collaborative Spaces from Start to Finish

March 11, 2024 The Talent Agent, Casting Director Viewpoint: Creating Change: Building Safe and Collaborative Spaces from Start to Finish

April 8, 2024 The Artist Agent and Producer Viewpoint: Creating Change: Building Safe and Collaborative Spaces from Start to Finish.

Programming 2023 Webinars

Episode 13 - Apostrophe’s A.M.P. program, designed to amplify the voices of emerging Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) photographers by teaching the business of photography.

Episode 12 - Cultivating a network, engendering productive meetings and present dynamic portfolios with guest Liz Miller Gershfeld.

Programming 2022 Podcasts (or see the webinars on the APA National YouTube channel)

APA Scope - A monthly conversation on Diversity & Inclusion

• March 2022 - The APA Diversity Committee welcomes the co-creators of the recent Queer the Lens survey, Amy Scott and Kate Warren, to moderate a conversation highlighting the work and perspectives of photographers from the LGBTQIA+ community.
• April 2022 - The Space Between Moderated by Martine Séverin with guest - Séan Alonzo Harris, Portland, Maine street photographer.
• May 2022 - Laura Chase de Formigny & Inti St. Clair welcome guest photographer Robb Scharetg in a discussion about the challenges presented by his voice disorder (vocal dystonia).
• Sept 2022 - Hosts Liam Clickenger, Edwin Vargas, and Gonzalo Guzman welcome APA DC's first LGBTQIAP+ photography grant recipient Daniel Aros-Aguilar.
• Oct 2022 - A conversation with photographer representative, Jigisha  Bouverat discussing representation and diversity in the photo industry.

Programming 2021 Podcasts (or see the webinars on the APA National YouTube channel)

APA Scope - A monthly conversation on Diversity & Inclusion

• Jan 2021 - Focus on the BIPOC experience in the photo community. conversation Moderated by Martine Severin with guests Cassandra Plavoukos and Christopher Malcolm.
• Feb 2021 - Focus on the LGBTQIA community. Moderated by Ken Clickenger and Edwin Vargas with panelists Ash Danielsen, Mariya Stangl, Nowen Cifuentes, Akshit Bhardwaj.
• Mar 2021 - Focus on Asian inclusion in the photo industry with Photographer, Carmen Chan, Netflix Campaign Manager, Alex Kang, Photo Producer, Caroline Yi, Art Director Mike Nguyen and moderated by photographers, Diana King and Jessica Foley.
• Apr 2021 - Focus on decolonizing and reimagining the photo industry. Moderated by Josué Rivas with guests Cinthya Santos-Briones, Cara Romero, and Oved Valadez.
• May 2021 - Peer to Peer mentorship moderated by Oriana Koren with guests Rebecca Aranda and Danielle A. Scruggs.
• Jun 2021 - Focus on groups elevating female-identifying professionals in the photography business. Moderated by Traci Terrick with panelists Keren Sachs and Polly Irungu.

A few of the APA conversations you can watch

APA Diversity + Inclusion - symposium at PSPF
Meet individuals from the grassroots organizations working towards dismantling harmful practices in the visual journalism and editorial media industry. 

APA Reflection and Action with Darnell Scott - A compelling conversation with Darnell Scott, Visual Brand Manager at Apostrophe and Martine Séverin, APA Chicago Board Member and Chair of the APA National Diversity Committee.

APA Reflection and Action Presented at Le Book Connections, Martine Séverin, APA Chicago Board Member and Chair of the APA National Diversity Committee interviews Tiffany Persons (David & Goliath), Oriel Davis (Spotify), Tahira White (19th & Park)

APA SF Virtual SET | The Black Lens Today - American Photographic Artists stands in solidarity in the fight against racism and injustice, and we are committed to doing the work to take steps toward equality. APA San Francisco has offered our monthly SET platform to Bay Area Black photographers to tell their stories and voice their perspectives.

APA SD An evening with Jason Lee

APA SD An evening with Bruce Talamon

Open Talk with Samantha Isom

Her Perspective - Balancing Motherhood and Photography

Recommended Reading from Authority Collective

Links to diverse photo groups:

• Women Photograph
• Diversify Photo
• Everyday Projects
• Photo Bill of Rights
• Indigenous Photograph
• Color Positive
• Black Women Photographers