dossier ↑ parent activity group ·

research dossier

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS

ASTORIA, NY · EIN 133163521 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · Micro (<$100K) · pwponline.org

revenue

$13K

expenses

$51K

net assets

$63K

employees

—

mission · from form 990

TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ISSUES FACING WOMEN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

profile · synthesized from sources

Professional Women Photographers (PWP) is a New York-based nonprofit organization founded to raise awareness of issues facing women professional photographers. The organization supports its members through educational programming, exhibitions, workshops, and community outreach initiatives. PWP also engages in advocacy and professional development activities, including student awards and mentorship programs.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Annual Student Awards Program

Honors high school students in New York City for excellence in photography; includes juried exhibition and recognition at Calumet Photo Gallery

Community Service Projects

Partners with organizations such as Learning Leaders and The Food Bank to provide photographic documentation and support through community engagement

Exhibition Program

Curates and presents member and thematic photography exhibitions at venues including Lincoln Center, Calumet Photo Gallery, and the Manhattan Borough President’s Office

Professional Development Workshops

Hands-on training sessions covering topics such as lighting, Photoshop, Lightroom, marketing, and intellectual property, led by industry professionals

Speaker Series

Monthly events featuring prominent women photographers and industry experts discussing their work and professional practices

activities · 6 groups

What they do

Photography and Creative Arts Competitions 1 activity
- Administering awards and recognition programs for emerging photographers
  
  Conducts student awards programs to recognize emerging photographers, including juried selection panels for annual award cycles such as the Third Annual Student Awards program.
Arts Professional Advocacy & Equity Initiatives 1 activity
- Advocating for gender equality in photography
  
  Advocates for gender equality in the photography industry by raising awareness of issues facing women photographers, highlighting their achievements, and promoting equal opportunities through public programming and member visibility.
Women's Leadership & Career Advancement Networks 1 activity
- Organizing educational and professional development events
  
  Provides workshops, webinars, lectures, photo walks, gallery tours, and mentorship programs focused on photography, business, and creative growth for women photographers. Events include technical training, industry trend discussions (e.g., "Tech Tuesday"), and expert-led sessions on lighting and intellectual property.
Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Producing exhibitions and curating member artwork
  
  Organizes and hosts photography exhibitions featuring members' work, including recurring programs like "Small Works" and special exhibitions such as "Women Photographers: New York/Tokyo," "All Americans," and "The Handmade Print, Past and Present." Exhibitions have been held at venues including Lincoln Center, Pfizer, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and Chelsea Gallery Space.
Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Providing online resources and member platforms
  
  Maintains an online platform with articles, tutorials, member-exclusive content, and a digital archive of past exhibitions to support career development. Includes a Members Area for document access and image updates, and operates a directory to connect users with member photographers.
Uncategorized 1 activity
- Hosting recurring member engagement programs
  
  Hosts monthly meetings, book clubs, photo circles, and networking events to foster community, skill development, and creative collaboration among women photographers. Specific events include virtual book club discussions on photography-related literature with advance registration requirements.

financials · form 990EZ · fy2024

revenue

Total revenue$13K

Contributions & grants——

Program service revenue$1K9%

Investment income$350%

Other revenue—

expenses

Total expenses$51K

Program expenses—

Admin / overhead—

Fundraising—

Salaries & benefits—

Grants paid out—

balance sheet

Total assets$63K

Cash—

Investments—

Liabilities—

Net assets$63K

6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -24.1%

leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 4

CLAUDE DE BACKER — DIRECTOR
NANCY LA LANNE — DIRECTOR
NICA STRONG — DIRECTOR
RENEE HARPER — DIRECTOR

relationships · 23

Who they work with

Adorama Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting PWP's programs.
Baruch College Partner — Displayed PWP Community Service Committee photographs at the William and Anita Newman Vertical Campus Conference Center.
BildExpo Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting PWP's programs.
Brooklyn Botanical Garden Partner — Hosted the exhibition "The Secret Garden – A Woman’s View" at The Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery.
Brooklyn Historical Society Partner — Collaborates on archival and historical photography projects.
Cork Gallery Partner — Hosted PWP exhibitions including "The Handmade Print, Past and Present" and "Minimal to Monumental".
Fashion Institute of Technology Partner — Collaborated through inspiration and shared mission leading to the founding of PWP.
International Center of Photography Partner — Collaborates on exhibitions and programming related to women photographers.
Josephine Herrick Foundation Partner — Partners on outreach and photography programs for underserved communities.
Konica Gallery Partner — Hosted the “Women Photographers: New York/Tokyo” exhibition in Japan.
Nikon House Partner — Hosted the “Women Photographers: New York/Tokyo” exhibition in New York.
Pratt Photography Gallery Partner — Partners on exhibitions and educational events.
Professional Women Photographers Network — Member organization representing women photographers.
SVA – Masters in Digital Photography Partner — Educational institution sponsor supporting PWP's programs.
St. Francis College Gallery Partner — Co-hosts exhibitions and events with the college gallery.
St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan Partner — Hosted the "Compassion" exhibition.
Tamron Partner — Corporate sponsor supporting PWP's programs.
The Durst Organization Partner — Hosted the exhibition "Eyewitness: Parts I & II" at Show Walls Gallery.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Partner — Displayed PWP Community Service Committee photographs in the Great Hall during the ELLs conference.
Umbrella Arts Gallery Partner — Partnered to present exhibitions including "Celebrating the Silver Print" and "Passion".
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts Government — Engaged to provide legal services and benefits to members.
Zoom Partner — Platform used to host the August book club event.
Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom as the platform for hosting virtual events.

strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

Community-Driven Professional Development

methodology: community_driven_development
By creating a supportive community where women photographers engage in learning, networking, collaboration, and exhibition opportunities, we advance professional growth because peer relationships and shared experiences build confidence, skills, and visibility in a historically underrepresented field.
Curated Exhibitions to Amplify Underrepresented Voices

methodology: inclusive_representation
By using member-led curation and intentionally diverse representation in exhibitions, we increase visibility and professional recognition for women photographers because showcasing varied styles and perspectives challenges systemic underrepresentation and validates marginalized narratives.
Mentorship as a Pathway to Empowerment

methodology: mentorship_driven_development
By connecting women photographers through peer mentoring and external programming, we foster professional development because guided support and role modeling increase confidence, expand networks, and improve access to opportunities in the photography industry.