APA | DC is launching this brand-new grant for emerging and established photographers who self-identify as LGBTQIAP+. This grant seeks to provide a much-needed financial contribution to photographers who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works.

The grant will award $3,000 to a recipient who will use photography as a medium to reflect and represent LGBTQIAP+ life in all its complexity and magnificence

APA | DC LGBTQIAP+ PHOTOGRAPHY GRANT

Photography is what unites us. In an effort to be a more inclusive organization, champion storytellers, and bring visibility to the LGBTQIAP+ community national platform, APA | DC establishes this grant.

Our goal is to celebrate the LGBTQIAP+ experience through photography. We are here to champion storytellers and bring visibility to the LGBTQIAP+ community national platform. The APA | DC LGBTQIAP+ Photography Grant is open to all photographers worldwide. It will be awarded based on the strength of visual portfolios and submitted artist statements.

Submissions for documentary, narrative, experimental, or episodic projects representing LGBTQIAP+ people and their communities are encouraged.

We encourage applications by people of color, transgender people, intersex people, asexual people, non-binary people, disabled people, women, and other underrepresented people and communities within the queer (or LGBTQIAP+) community.

The grant funds can be requested to support new or ongoing work at any stage of development.

Grant Value

A grant in the amount of $3000 will be awarded to one photographic artist chosen by a panel of independent jurors. This is an annual grant.

Application Period

Applications for the 2022 Grant are open on June 17, 2022, and entries close on July 20, 2022..

Eligibility

Photographers age 18+ who self-identify as LGBTQIAP+ may apply for this Grant

About APA

American Photographic Artists (APA) is an organization dedicated to the success of the professional photographer. Our mission is to create a diverse and inclusive photographic community that supports all photographers at every level in their career and champions the rights of image makers worldwide.

To achieve our mission, our goals are to establish, endorse, and promote professional practices, standards, and ethics in the photographic community; to mentor, motivate, educate and inspire in the pursuit of excellence. APA strives to provide the tools and connections that photographers need to run a successful business.

Ahmad Barber - Co- Owner of AB+DM Studio and Art Director

Ahmad Barber is a 28-year-old photographer and art director who has worked with brands and magazines to bring visual ideas to life. Across all of his endeavors, Ahmad lives and breathes color and shape.

Ahmad originally hails from Detroit, Michigan but now calls Atlanta, GA home where you’ll find his alma mater Morehouse College.

Liz Lynch - Photographer and Photo Editor

Liz Lynch is a Washington DC photographer and native of the DC area. She was born and raised in Northern Virginia and is a graduate of George Mason University with a B.A. in History. Liz found her passion for photography during her first semester at George Mason University in a Pinhole Photography class. “We spent half the semester building a 4x5 wooden pinhole camera and the second half taking pictures and developing them in the darkroom. It was in the darkroom that I really fell in love with photography. Watching my images appear in the developer bath was magical for me and I knew I had found my passion and my life’s work. Convincing my parents was another story.”

In 1997 Liz began her career as a photojournalist at National Journal Magazine where she spent 13 years covering politics and political insiders. She currently is a Contributing Photographer for National Journal, the Photo Editor of the Almanac of American Politics and Contracts with a variety of Editorial and Corporate clients covering news and events. Liz also serves as the Social Chair for the Women Photojournalists of Washington.

Michael Wichita – Photo Director, AARP

Michael Wichita has been with AARP since 2005, and works with AARP's print publications, websites, newsletters, and social presence. Wichita previously worked as a professional photographer, his work for AARP has been recognized by SPD and American Photography amongst others. Michael is a frequent speaker and portfolio reviewer at industry events. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Greg Garry - Photography Director

Greg Garry is celebrating over 20 years in the photography industry. Currently working with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) he is a recent alum of Entertainment Weekly and OUT magazines, where he directed coverage of LGBTQIA culture.

Greg's recent past includes long-term stints at Complex, Radar, Budget Living, Flaunt, and Wallpaper. Specialties: large-scale portfolios, conceptual covers, celebrity portraits and fashion shoots, quirky and funny portraits, underwater shoots, pin-up, travel, food and entertaining, and advertising. He has produced and art-directed both editorial and advertising photo shoots all over the world with some of the leading photographers of our time.

Greg’s work has been cited for awards from both ASME (American Society of Magazine Editors) and SPD (Society of Publication Designers.) He has also curated several gallery photography shows, acted as a judge in photography contests, and guest lectured at several universities about the photography business. In addition, he is a writer on the subjects of art, music, film, travel, and celebrity in general.

Adjudication

Applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of industry specialists from across-section of disciplines and sectors. This can include photographers, curators, photo editors, commissioners, and art buyers. Jurors have no affiliation to APA. The decision of the juror panel will be final.

One grant in the amount of $3000 will be awarded. The winner will be announced on the APA | DC and APA National websites.

FAQ

IS THIS PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE? 

APA | DC is launching this brand-new grant for emerging and established photographers who self-identify as LGBTQIAP+. This grant seeks to provide a much-needed financial contribution  to photographers who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works.

The grant will award $3,000 to a recipient who will use photography as a medium to reflect and represent LGBTQIAP+ life in all its complexity and magnificence.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

APA | DC supports the natural intersection of photography and social change. We understand that photography is not born in a vacuum. It is who we are, where we live, how we relate to our communities. How we view the world influences what we create, how we create, and why we create. We place equal value on LGBTQIAP+ photographers, and this grant supports that mission.

WHY A LGBTQIAP+ PHOTOGRAPHER? 

APA | DC wanted to establish a safe space for LGBTQIAP+ photographers to seek funding, recognition, and representation in our professional photographic community.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH?

APA | DC wanted to support, showcase, and connect impactful photography created by LGBTQIAP+ photographers

With the ideals of social change in mind, we created this LGBTQIAP+ Photography Grant to challenge the norms of traditional grantmaking.