Source: https://www.photographersunited.co.uk/conduct
Timestamp: 2019-09-21 12:08:47
Document Index: 433084016

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'arts 2', 'art 1', 'arts 2', 'arts 2', 'art 1', 'art 1']

Part 1- AOP: Association of Photographers ; PU : Photographers United
As an AOP / PU Member, you undertake to abide by the Code of Practice, as set out below and you agree that you will:
Be bound by the AOP’s / PU’s Memorandum and Articles and the Members’ Charter (incorporated into this Code), copies of which are available to copy from the members’ area of the AOP / PU website, http://www.the-aop.org. / www.photographersunited.co.uk/conduct
Actively support AOP / PU activities and lend your name, where possible, to campaigning issues.
Recognise and accept your responsibilities under the Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 and other relevant legislation and conduct your operations in a manner that befits your professional standing and does not bring the AOP / PU into disrepute.
The Code of Practice for AOP / PU members draws from the experiences of practicing professional photographers along with those of commissioners, art buyers and others with whom photographers work and looks at the principles and methodology that underpin best practice.
In essence, a Code of Practice communicates that our members are professional in all aspects of the business and are what might be termed, ‘a safe pair of hands’. In the absence of any regulation in the photographic industry it is often too easy to be drawn into competing on the basis of price alone. There are many factors that can influence a client’s buying decision, not just price, and the AOP’s / PU’s members are extremely well-placed in the industry to maximise these other areas. Thorough preparation, effective contribution, high standards and professional collaboration are areas that positively influence the level of work produced.
By linking the AOP’s / PU’s members together through a Code of Practice, it is hoped that the resultant multi-brand association will be beneficial to all parties; beneficial to the membership by being associated with an organisation that represents the best in professional photography, beneficial to the AOP / PU by having its membership derived from the best of the best, and lastly, beneficial to the client who is looking for reassurance that the commission will be handled with all due diligence.
It is hoped that the Code of Practice will be attractive to potential members who wish to aspire to be part of an association that promotes the values of quality and professionalism. The Code of Practice should enable the AOP’s / PU’s members to feel a breed apart from the competition and enhance their marketing opportunities. The AOP / PU should market itself to both buyers and potential members on this basis, amongst others.
This section sets out how both AOP / PU members and commissioners/buyers of photography relate to the Code of Practice.
The Code of Practice is a yardstick, a set of professional ethics and requirements that the AOP/ PU expects its members to abide by. In addition, buyers and commissioners of photography can use the Code of Practice as a means to establish what the minimum level of service is that they can reasonably expect from an AOP / PU member. (Note: The Code of Practice does not attempt to set out any parameters for the visual interpretation or stylistic rendition of any brief presented to an AOP / PU member).
The Code of Practice, the AOP/ PU and its members:
The Code of Practice contains elements taken from the Members’ Charter that AOP / PU members must abide by, all of which are contained above. In addition the Code contains elements that are recommended in the interests of best practice. It is made clear in the Code of Practice, which elements are mandatory (Part 1) and which are advisory or recommended (Parts 2 and 3).
Being a member of the AOP / PU means that every point in Part 1 is part of their professional practice. It also means that each member looks to constantly improve the quality of their practice through the implementation of the points in Parts 2 and 3. While there might be no obligation placed upon members to encompass the points in Parts 2 and 3, the nature of the AOP’s / PU’s members means that they would most likely wish to do so.
Any member proven to be in contravention of the points in Part 1 will be suspended as a member of the AOP/ / PU and be subject to the AOP’s PU’s disciplinary procedure, set out in Section 4
Buyers/commissioners can expect certain minimum standards of professionalism when they commission an AOP / PU member. The very minimum they can expect is encapsulated in Part 1 - what AOP / PU members shall undertake to provide.
For the buyer/commissioner, when they employ the services of an AOP / PU photographer, they are commissioning the highest level of professional service, expertise, creativity and production. Put simply, they are commissioning the best.
In order that the Code of Practice has solid foundations, the AOP / PU needs to have a suitable complaints and disciplinary procedure in place to underwrite the Code.
If the AOP / PU receives a complaint against a member, this will be investigated using the procedure outlined below.
IMPORTANT: The AOP / PU will not deal with any disputes or claims for financial redress.
To investigate alleged breaches of the Code of Practice, either through the receipt of a complaint made directly to the AOP / PU or when documented elsewhere, the nature of a complaint has been drawn to the attention of the AOP / PU.
The AOP shall from time to time appoint a person to act as the Disciplinary and Complaints officer. That person so appointed need not be a member of the AOP / PU.
The AOP’s Board of Directors shall elect a group of 4 members and 4 non-members to sit as the Disciplinary and Complaints Committee to review any issues that are placed before it. The Committee shall be headed up by the Disciplinary and Complaints Officer, who has shared responsibility for the operation of the Committee with the Executive Director of the AOP / PU.
4.4.8. In the event that the complaint is upheld, the Committee may do one or more of the following; (i) reprimand the member concerned. (ii) suspend the member concerned for a period determined by the Committee. (iii) recommend that the member be expelled from the AOP. (iv) ask for the member to cover the costs involved for the Committee to meet.
4.4.11. Appeal: Any member removed from the AOP / PU shall be entitled to appeal to the Board against that decision as long as any appeal is lodged within 21 days of the member being informed of the Committee’s decision. The Board shall review the evidence presented to the Committee and act accordingly within a period of a further 21 days.