ASMP Chicago/Midwest

AI is changing photography.
So are the contracts that determine who owns an image.
Across the industry, photographers are receiving contracts that classify our work as “Work Made for Hire.” It sounds like legal boilerplate. It isn’t.
Work Made for Hire means the publication — not you — is the legal author of your photographs.
This matters for four reasons:
You lose your copyright.
You lose your archive.
You lose control of how your work is used — including for AI training.
And you lose the ability to protect the people you photograph.
For photographers working in vulnerable communities, that last point isn’t secondary. Using editorial images to train AI can fuel surveillance tools that put sources and entire communities at risk. WMFH removes your ability to prevent this exploitation.
This impacts all photographers. Photojournalists and commercial photographers face parallel risks – through stock agreements, client contracts, and sublicensing terms that increasingly permit AI training use without consent or compensation.
We’ve already seen AI ad campaigns by major companies including Coca-Cola, Unilever, and Skechers. It’s not hard to imagine a future in which AI takes the place of photographers, models, stylists, creative directors, and designers.
This isn’t hypothetical. The Wall Street Journal recently introduced exactly this kind of contract to its freelance photographers — while its parent company negotiated a $50 million a year deal to license editorial content to Meta for AI training.
The more photographers who know about this, the harder it becomes to ignore. Let’s protect each other.

Roundtable - Monday, April 13 @ noon at Firehouse Grill 

Join us for Roundtable, a new regular event series designed for photographers to gather in a relaxed, casual setting and dive into the real-world topics that matter most. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your pitching skills, master estimating and pricing, navigate legal issues like copyright, or just chat about gear, accounting, insurance, personal projects, and sources of inspiration - Roundtable is your space to share, learn, and connect.

Free for ASMP members / $10 non-members RSVP at link in bio – we hope to see you there!

Open Photo Share Friday, February 27, 6-9pm
Join us for Open Photo Share, a relaxed social event where you can share some recent work and get feedback from fellow Chicago photographers! You’re welcome to attend, whether you want to present or join the conversation.

Attendees who want to present images MUST register and upload their work in advance. RSVP and we will send you an email with a link to upload 5-10 images you’ll talk about for about 10 minutes. We will have refreshments available, and if you would like to bring a snack to share you’re welcome to. Do what feels fun and easy.

ASMP members - free // Non-members - $15
https://www.asmp.org/chicagomidwest/event/february-open-photo-share/

DEADLINE REMINDER:
Opportunity for Chicago Artists (see disciplines below):
/ Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) application is now open.
Deadline: Apply by Thursday, January 15, 2026 at noon CT
Notifications by May 31, 2026 - all applications will be notified via email

The Individual Artists Program (IAP) aims to assist Chicago's practicing artists in creating work that develops their craft and elevates their careers, while adding to the cultural vitality of the city of Chicago. IAP grants support artists across all artistic disciplines including Film & Media Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts (Theater/Dance), and Visual Arts/Design.

- DCASE anticipates making 200 - 250 grants through this program.
- Artists must take one year off from applying after being selected for an IAP grant. 2025 IAP grantees are not eligible to apply.
- DCASE will prioritize funding applicants that did not receive other support from DCASE in 2023 or 2024.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a resident of the city of Chicago, Illinois (proof of Chicago residency is required – must provide a current valid Illinois Driver’s License, State ID or Chicago CityKey with applicant name and Chicago street address). No other proof of Chicago residency will be accepted. No P.O. Boxes.

DCASE is offering IAP Information Sessions, IAP Workshops and Drop-In Sessions - please visit their website for dates and times.

Follow this link for Tuesday, December 9, recorded 2026 Individual Artists Program (IAP) info session on YouTube. This covers general information and updates to the 2026 grant program. All info sessions will present the same material.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wniMdesvFo

For more information, follow the link: www.chicagoculturalgrants.org

If you have questions and are not able to access these virtual sessions, if you need assistance in another language, or if you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to attend or apply please contact [email protected] for assistance.