American Society of Media Photographers Founded in 1944, at a time when print photographers had little financial or professional organization, ASMP was created to defend the rights and interests of professional photographers. The society advocates for copyright protection, business education, professional standards and fellowship, and against work–for–hire and other abuses. ASMP has chapters all over the nation and holds valuable meetings on a range of issues of interest for photographers—pricing and administration, client relations, and technical “how to” topics, as well as talks on featured photographers. These events are not only learning but also networking and social opportunities, giving photographers, who typically work in isolation, a sense of real community.  

Artists Rights Society (ARS) The Artists Rights Society is the preeminent copyright, licensing, and monitoring organization for visual artists in the United States. Founded in 1987, ARS represents the intellectual property rights and estate interests of over 50,000 visual artists and photographers. ARS is a heavyweight organization with artists such as Georges Braque, Joseph Beuys, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, Le Corbusier, Fernand Léger, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Edvard Munch and Man Ray under its wing. 

California Lawyers for the Arts California Lawyers for the Arts not only addresses the legal needs of artists in California, the organization advocates for funding and artists’ rights, as well as initiating projects that offer low income youths career training in the arts.  

Digital Journalist One of the best of its kind, this monthly multi-media magazine for visual journalism covers a lot of ground. Reporting on the facts of the profession, the publisher and his veteran contributors always maintain a humanist tone, speaking directly to the difficult work of being the witness. They offer the photojournalist’s perspective on national and international news, also spotlighting new work, book reviews, discussion forums, dispatches, and personal histories. The Digital Journalist offers an ethics column as well as a regular report on the business of photojournalism. Two time winner of the Online News Association's “Best Feature” award. 

Editorial Photographers (EP) Founded by photojournalists for photojournalists, EP speaks frankly and directly to many issues facing professionals today. In a field that has seen a lot of change in recent years, EP’s stated mission is to advocate for photographers’ rights and to be a voice for change in the industry. Relying on education and communication to increase awareness of the issues, the site provides ample information on everything from wise business practices to copyright laws. The FAQ page, OutreachEP and Copyright sections are invaluable resources for those just entering the business as well as those coping with its changing rules. 

Editorial Photographers United Kingdom and Ireland Inspired by the original Editorial Photographers site, EPUK has adopted the same plain-speaking tone to address the concerns of their membership of British and Irish photojournalists. Like EP, the site is simple and the information is directly relevant to the photographers trying to make a living in this rapidly changing field. There is a members-only mailing list and free resources for editorial photographers. Subjects include copyright, tax, invoicing, and creative issues. 

National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) National Press Photographers Association site provides a central meeting place where photojournalists can discuss topics that relate to the profession. The site contains news and events pages, professional development information, competition notices, and services for members. Members have access to active message boards covering a broad range of topics including business, news, current events, digital editing, ethical issues, and photo gear. In a rare acknowledgement of the stresses and traumas associated with being a photojournalist, NPPA Member Services also include a crisis intervention team of trained professional peers, ready to listen. 

Nolo Do-it-yourself legal solutions for those who wish handle their own everyday legal matters. The site offers a wide variety of information, software and forms, but the pages on business, copyright and art will be of particular interest to photographers.  

Photo Attorney As a blog that deals with the many legal issues related to photography, Photo Attorney posts articles on questions of fair use, copyright infringement, and rights grabs along with current legal news in the photo world. The editor, a “lawyer who works with photographers,” occasionally comments on news postings. 

Photo District News Online An indispensable resource, PDN Online’s comprehensive site literally covers the “waterfront” of information relevant to photographers. Subscribers of PDN’s on-line magazine gain access to a wealth of “PDN Guides,” PDF documents that cover a range of topics from “Bean Counting 101 for Photographers” to “Retirement Planning 101.” The information is candid and well researched, reflecting the magazine’s commitment to supporting photographers by as many means as possible.  

Picture Archive Council of America This trade organization represents a number of North American and international stock archives, from those of individual photographers to large corporations. Digital photography has changed the rules of image reproduction forever, and in this new landscape PACA presents itself as an advocate for copyright protection and fair business practices. Through its straightforward and well-designed site, PACA disseminates relevant legal documents, educational videos, a membership directory, a newsletter and calendar of current events on the photo scene.  

The UK Copyright Service The UK Copyright Service makes the point that copyright protection may be an automatic right under international law, but evidence can be required to support a claim, so registration, which is central to UKCS’ services, is where one begins. The site outlines the often complex rules of international copyright in clear terms, using well-designed graphics to help users navigate their way through the process.  

Thompson Reuters Foundation As the charitable division of the venerable and respected Thomson Reuters news service, the Foundation employs all the expertise that has made Thompson Reuter’s reputation in order to create ways to “increase trust in and access to the rule of law, to save lives through the provision of trusted information and to improve standards of journalism.” These inter-related goals are addressed by three programs: TrustLaw, a proposed global hub for the practice of pro bono legal work; TrustMedia, a program of training courses for journalists around the globe, imparting the skills and values that have made Reuters’ international reputation; and the Emergency Information Service (EIS) a system that uses many means to get emergency survival to people caught up in natural disasters. The Foundation has also joined other media companies in signing up to a multi-media centre in the United Arab Emirates to train, develop and promote Arab talent in journalism, broadcasting, film-making and publishing. Trust.org is packed with information for aspiring journalists all over the world.  

TOSBack A project of the pioneering free speech on the web watchdogs, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, TOSBack is a site that monitors those lengthy and legalistic Terms-Of-Service contracts and other website policies that so often go completely un-noticed until something goes wrong. TOSBack keeps track of changes in the T-O-S contracts for major social networking sites, online businesses, and other Internet communities, pointing out new clauses and changes in language so that users can be aware of the rules for sites they use everyday and track changes in these over time.