Membership

Membership in the Union of Photographers offers access to a vibrant, professional community where photography becomes both a medium and a movement of growth, dialogue, and new possibilities. As a member, you can take part in exhibitions, festivals, and curatorial programs; attend lectures, masterclasses, and artist talks; publish your projects; and connect with like-minded professionals.

You also gain access to studios, galleries, archives, digital resources, and country-wide initiatives – forming a solid foundation for professional development and institutional recognition. Whether you are a photographer, researcher, or curator, you’ll find support, visibility, and a network that amplifies your voice.

Join us, and become part of a community shaping contemporary photographic culture in Belarus, bringing it into the international spotlight.

The Belarusian Association of Photographers welcomes artists, curators, researchers, and all practitioners in the field of photography. Membership is open to Belarusian citizens, foreign nationals, and stateless persons who are 18 years and older, share the Union’s mission, and abide by its statutes and regulations. The Association offers four categories of membership:

Candidate Member – For those beginning their professional journey. Candidate Members are admitted on a provisional basis and may be elevated to Full Membership after a portfolio review and demonstrated involvement in community activities.

Full Member – Full participation in the Union: voting rights at the General Assembly, eligibility to stand for election to governing or supervisory bodies, and full access to all programs, initiatives, and services of the Union.

Honorary Member – A special distinction awarded to outstanding Belarusian or international photographers, cultural figures, or patrons who have made significant contributions to the development of photography and to supporting the Union. Honorary Members may receive exemptions from dues and enjoy a special form of participation in governance.

Associate Member – Individuals or institutions that support the Union through organizational, methodological, or financial contributions without directly engaging in governance. Their rights and responsibilities are defined by separate regulations.

All membership categories are formalised by an official membership certificate. Transitions between categories, and entry into specialised sections, are decided by the Admissions Committee and approved by the Council of the Union.

Membership dues are an annual mandatory fee that confirms your active participation in the Union of Photographers and grants access to all of the Union’s programs, services, and resources. The amount is determined by the Union Council and updated each year.

If you qualify for a reduced rate, please notify the Union’s administration in advance and submit documentary proof (a scanned or photographed pension ID, or a child’s birth certificate). Please note: reduced status is recognized as of the first quarter of the calendar year. If you obtain eligibility before April 1, the reduced rate applies. If later, the standard dues must be paid.

Payment Deadline
Annual membership dues are payable during the first quarter of the current year. Timely payment is essential for accurate budgeting by the Union and for maintaining uninterrupted access to programs, exhibitions, contests, sections, and cultural initiatives.

Payment Methods:

• At post offices
• Through bank branches
• Via online banking

Important!
If dues remain unpaid by the end of the first quarter of the following year, the member may be expelled from the organization, after prior notification by email (or by telephone if no email is available). Expulsion leads to suspension of all rights and access to the Union’s programs, events, and sections until reapplication is made.