THE AOP - Key Persons
London-based Chantel has a special focus on beauty & portraiture.
Chantel didn't go to university immediately after school, but eventually did her art foundation at Middlesex University and then a graphic design degree at Buckinghamshire New University.
She built her own photographic experience and style for visual storytelling whilst working as a photo assistant, then progressing to producer and studio manager.
Her photographic style is cinematic, dreamy & intimate. Chantel loves experimenting, playing with different lighting techniques and styles. Her work has a beautiful cross over from soft and gentle to bold and dynamic. She just loves a POP of colour.
Her own commissions include shoots for Revolution Beauty, Ateh Jewel Beauty, Stylist, Grazia, Hunger, Tush and Schon! magazines. Her portfolio also features portraiture for titles such as The Guardian Saturday, The Sunday Times Magazine & The Old Vic.
As a black female photographer, she is aware of the lack of people like her in front of and behind the camera, and she strives to strike a more inclusive balance within her work.
Job Titles:
- Membership Services Administrator
Chris has a long and varied history within the non-for-profit sector, primarily supporting or developing community-based projects with an environmental, arts or heritage theme.
More recently (and for 8 years) he was the membership officer for the Quilters' Guild - supporting members, staff and volunteers whilst also developing numerous processes (IT and non-IT). He firmly believes that if you can't measure it, you can't manage it. To that end, he was also responsible for ensuring what was once an entirely office-based system - to one that allowed all membership process to be managed remotely, more effectively and with less resources.
He has a long-standing interest in photography and up until the pandemic was focused primarily on music and theatrical photography.
Claire has been working in the photographic industry for the past 25 years.
After graduating from Kent Institute of Art Design, she pursued a career in photographic management; from picture libraries, corporate photo libraries to art buyer for global brand and marketing agencies.
Since establishing her own business in 2008 she has been working directly with global brands providing consultancy services in strengthening their branding and campaigns through curating imagery, improving procurement practices and managing their impactful visual assets.
With a background in photography and deep understanding of the value of photography as a commercial asset, Claire provides valuable insight into the challenges and successes of photography for both brands and photographers.
Claire is delighted at joining the AOP as a board member to support the industry by providing useful and constructive insight into the photographic commercial industry.
Faye Thomas is an editorial portrait & fashion photographer specialising in work with actors. Her work has appeared in publications including Vanity Fair, Tatler, Harpers Bazaar, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Irish Independent, The Times, The Telegraph and many more outlets around the world. She is entirely self-taught, and has been working professionally in the industry since 2005. She is currently working on her first book; a series of portraits and interviews with prominent female directors and writers.
Faye stood for the AOP board as she felt that photographers are facing some unique challenges with regards to usage in the uncharted territory of fast evolving new media platforms and AI, and wanted to be part of the conversation to develop strategies for how photographers without law degrees might address the inevitable copyright issues that may arise. She would like to be an advocate for the rights of professional photographers and the value of their work in a world increasingly hungry for endless free content.
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Gandee Vasan is an award-winning artist and photographer with over 30 years' experience. He started as a Fine Artist and Portrait Painter, before doing a Postgraduate degree in Computer Graphics in the early days of the craft. Gandee believes that powerful, emotive imagery can drive expressive communication and aims to bring to his work an element of whimsy, surprise and humour. He draws inspiration from, and is constantly fascinated by, the poignancy of faces, both animal and human.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chief
- Independent Director
- Board Members
- Director, Online Director
Hamish Crooks spent twelve years as Archive Director, Online Director and Deputy Bureau Chief at Magnum Photos, with four of those years doubling up as a part-time sports journalist & sub editor for The Telegraph. Moving onto Reuters News Agency in the early 2000's, Hamish had various product-based roles over nine years, including Head of Picture Products, before returning to Magnum Photos as Global Licensing Director. Hamish is now a freelance Media Licensing & Archive consultant, working on various projects, and manages the Abbas Photos estate (https://abbasphotos.org/) for Magnum Photos photographer, Abbas. Hamish also acted as picture editor on the series of books, Reuters Sports in the 21st Century (published 2009) and Magnum Football and has written articles on subjects such as Brexit and ethnic minorities as well as on photographers such as Ernest Cole.
He has spoken on many industry panels, including several on supporting young emerging talent to tell their stories, and judged various photographic awards including the AOP Photography Awards, this year's (2022) Open Award, and others.
With a drama degree and jobs both in front and behind the camera, a job in photography wouldn't seem a natural progression. But for Hat Margolies, a temp job in a photolibrary led to over 10 years commissioning photography for editorial shoots on national magazines and newspapers and turned her love of photography into a career. In 2008 Hat set up her own photographic representation and production agency, Lucid Rep, and works with international and UK clients in advertising and corporate marketing. Her role involves producing and organising stills and moving image shoots, often dealing with large budgets, and complex set ups but making sure it all works smoothly, gets the desired shots and stays on budget. She sees her role as an agent as key in an increasingly competitive market - giving her photographers support, constructive criticism and a a sounding board. An agent can be a protective layer between client and photographer, someone to deal with the nitty gritty details while the photographer concentrates on the creative work. Having been a member of the AOP for many years, Hat has seen the importance of a strong and supportive trade association, especially when the industry is constantly changing and skills and knowledge needs to be kept up to date. She is very keen to continue to support the work the AOP has started on sustainability in shoot practice and to increase diversity across the industry, both in front and behind the camera. She is keen to make sure members feel safe and secure at work and supported by the AOP, at all stages of their career in the exciting and rewarding industry. Hat has two children and they live in South East London, with her graphic designer husband. When not working she enjoys cycling, reading and writing fiction and cooking with her family. Joined the Board: 12 January 2021 Re-stands: 2023 and 2025 Read More Close
An award-winning fashion photographer, Holly's skills lie in connecting with her subject, empowering her creative team to do their best work and doing what it takes to get the shot. Beginning her photography career as a street-style photographer for Company Magazine, Holly worked her way towards shooting editorials for magazines such as L'Officiel, Stylist, Elle Australia and Glamour USA as well as brands such as Chanel, Levi's, John Lewis, and Fabergé. Acknowledging the role she plays in shaping the media we consume, Holly is committed to promoting diversity in the fashion and beauty industries. Combining her passion for climate action and communication, Holly is also a PR consultant for brands in the sustainability sector and involved in climate-based community organisation. Supporting the next generation of creative talent is something Holly has developed over many years as a lecturer in Fashion Communication at University of Creative Arts, Epson, as a short course tutor in Fashion Photography at Central St Martins and a visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London and Arts University Plymouth. She has also been invited to give fashion photography workshops at Soho House in London and New York and the Gallery of Photography, Dublin.
Holly stood for the AOP board shortly after joining as an Accredited Photographer member and witnessing the fantastic work the AOP does to protect photographers' rights and build community amongst photographers and the surrounding industries. She is proud to be a part of a trade association defending photographers' skills, training and creativity in a world that wants unlimited access to those resources…but doesn't always want to remunerate fairly for them.
I am a photographer, entrepreneur and proud queer immigrant of colour. I love to shoot striking, dynamic and joyful photos that celebrate diversity, culture, gender and all the beautiful intersections in between. Originally from the Philippines, I came to London in 2016 to chase my dreams, create a better life and tell the stories I've always wanted to tell. It's been a bumpy road with a lot of twists and turns but I'm grateful for all the opportunities and good luck! Being a Board member is an opportunity that will genuinely help me give back to the photographic community and show both new and long-standing members that being an outsider is something worth celebrating. I relish the chance to represent the views of younger, up and coming and underrepresented talent in a quickly evolving space that's ripe for change and modernisation. I truly believe the world we live in has so many wild and wonderful stories just waiting to see the light, and I can only hope that my contributions might serve as an example to everyone out there who don't think there's a place for their stories, their creativity or their vision. Joined the Board: 19 October 2021 Re-stands: 2023 and 2025 Read More Close
Isabelle is the current CEO for the Association of Photographers. Having undertaken a Foundation course at Harrow College of Art and Design (now part of the University of Westminster), she went onto graduate with BA Hons in Photography at Surrey Institute of Art & Design, before embarking on her professional career. During her mid-career she completed an MA in Museum Management at the University of Greenwich.
Throughout her 25 year career in the photo industry, Isabelle has been both a supplier and client, previously working in the design sector for various organisations, such as Conran Design Group and Luminous, as well as for several picture libraries - including as a photography graduate for Tony Stone, working as a darkroom technician to managing photographers' contracts, leaving not long after it became Getty Images, and Magnum Photos, where she commissioned commercial shoots and stock sales for ad and design agencies on brands ranging from Absolut, Sky, and Universal to charities such as St. Mungo's and Amnesty International. The latter of which was instrumental in influencing Isabelle's appreciation for photojournalism and artistic storytelling, as well as copyright. She launched and managed an image library for a book publisher specialising in lifestyle, interiors and food, for over 14 years, during which time she volunteered to join the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies as a non-executive director, before chairing the organisation, in which she focused on safeguarding and championing the photo industry through lobbying efforts resulting from the Hargreaves Review.
As a strong advocate of the industry, Isabelle regularly attended stakeholder meetings with government, particularly the IPO, on matters affecting copyright legislation, as well as presenting on issues relating to copyright enforcement and the interests of photographers at various events, including CEPIC Congress, Westminster Media Forum, All Party Parliamentary Group on IP, and the British Copyright Council. Isabelle is currently a board director (representing Artistic Works) for the British Copyright Council. She was also formerly chair of PICSEL, a collective management organisation for professional image rightsholders, and a board representative at the Alliance for IP.
In her role as CEO, one of Isabelle's key commitments is addressing concerns about copyright and Generative-AI, which closely involves campaigning on behalf of photographers, and those they work with, who are faced with the challenges this new technology brings. Together with Tim Flach, AOP President and Nick Dunmur, Head of Business & Legal, Isabelle plays a strategic role in the AOP's objective to influence UK Government and Parliament in relation to photographers' and image-makers' industry concerns.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business and Legal
Nick has been a professional photographer all his working life. He spent 6 years as a non-executive director of the AOP Board, two years of which as Chair.
Nick has been involved with various working groups and committees concerned with copyright and photographers' rights at the AOP and other organisations including the British Copyright Council (BCC) and the British Photographic Council (BPC).
Picking up the reins from Gwen Thomas, Nick provides business and legal advice to our members on matters relating to professional practice, licensing, issues with copyright and infringements. This service is free to AOP Photographer members.
As a practicing photographer of commissioned and personal work, Nick is ideally placed to look at problems from a photographer's perspective.
Suzanne has a background of over 20 years' in Marketing and Communications across the charity, B2B and arts sectors. Dublin-born and raised in Australia, Suzanne is a past photography student and passionate about the medium and championing creative work. Drawing on her experience and skills as a Marketeer and Digital Mum Social Media Strategist she is looking forward to supporting and promoting the AOP membership.
A working Mum, Suzanne has a proven weakness for photography books and yarn, (not necessarily in that order) that is only surpassed by encouraging her child in all things creative.
Job Titles:
- Independent Director
- Founding Partner of Another Production
Tanja is the founding partner of Another Production; a female owned creative production company that collaborates with Brands and Agencies to deliver high quality stills and film content whilst driving and championing diversity behind the lens. Tanja was born and schooled in Windhoek, Namibia after which she studied marketing in Cape Town, South Africa. In 1997 she moved to the UK to continue her career in advertising and left McCann Erickson in 2002 to start Another Production. She lives in Richmond, London and has two children.
Tim Flach is known for his stylised portraits of animals. His work is driven by a desire to communicate stories about the natural world.
He has been a long-standing member since 1986. From the late 1990s to 2003, he served on the council as the chair of the Awards Committee. During this time, he also led negotiations with Getty Images on behalf of photographers.
Today, as President, Tim is particularly committed to addressing the challenges presented by the emergence of Generative AI. He continues to be actively involved in discussions with the media. He has presented at several AI conferences, most recently at Creativity in the Age of AI at Kings College London (Dec 2023). Isabelle and Tim have been working to establish a relationship with Westminster on behalf of the AOP. The AOP has been announced as the official secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for photography.
His photographs are showcased in books, exhibitions and galleries around the world. He has authored seven internationally published, award-winning books: Birds (2021), Who am I? (2019), Endangered (2017), Evolution (2013), More Than Human (2012), Dogs Gods (2010) & Equus (2008). He is producing his next book, a working title Feline, which Abrams will publish in Oct 2025.
Tim is collaborating with Professors Cameron Whitley and Linda Kalof on a conservation communication research project in the USA that has received a grant of over $500,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The research project is one of the largest of its kind and will involve 70,000 participants. It aims to assess how images can effectively elicit empathy, leading to pro-environmental outcomes.
Tim received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the Arts London and an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University's Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing.