What is the YPU ?
We are an ‘Umbrella’ group for amateur photographic clubs in Yorkshire and have 63 affiliated clubs. As one of 15 regional Federations in UK we are part of a countrywide network of clubs representing around 30,000 members.
This is achieved through our affiliation to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB). In essence we promote amateur photography in Yorkshire and give support to our clubs.
How do we operate ?
The YPU is managed by an Executive of up to 13 who are all volunteers. We currently number 9 and are always on the lookout for new colleagues to share the load. Each Executive member has a role; some have several. We hold an Annual General Meeting every February, with representatives from all our affiliated clubs, together with a further meeting of club representatives in November. Clubs pay an affiliation fee based on the size of their membership.
What do we do ?
Events
The YPU organises the following events each year:
- Our Annual Exhibition and Assembly is the high point of our year. Over 4,000 prints and images are submitted by clubs on behalf of their members. These are entered in one of 10 Print categories or a similar number of Projected Digital Image categories. The work is judged by independent selectors working in teams of three. The accepted entries, which include around 200 mounted prints and around 250 digital images, are displayed at the Annual Exhibition hosted by one of our affiliated clubs. The opening day coincides with our Assembly, which celebrates the work of the Federation and its club members.
- The Keighley Day provides a day of prestigious lectures and workshops. It is named after Alexander Keighley, one of the founders of the Yorkshire Photographic Union and its President for over 20 years.
Services
The YPU provides many services to its clubs:
- We manage, recruit and train a list of judges within Yorkshire who are able to provide a service to clubs and who charge travel expenses based on PAGB rates. These are listed on the PAGB website in the CMS section CMS: Management System – The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain
- We manage a list of lecturers who provide a wide range of presentations to clubs and who charge travel expenses based on PAGB rates. These too are listed on the PAGB website as above.
- This website provides a news page for club events and links to club websites.
- Separately from the website is the YPU Portal which is gives club officers access to club information, documentation, e-mail and competition entries. It also holds galleries of judged competition entries.
- Social media is available through the YPU’s Facebook page.
- Affiliated clubs can avail themselves of preferential Public Indemnity and Management insurance which has been negotiated nationally.
- We have a stock of frames for exhibiting 500mm by 400mm prints and a set of mesh stands to cater for free-standing exhibitions. When not in use for its own exhibition, the frames and stands are freely available to clubs (see Folios and Frames).
- There is a travelling portfolio of accepted prints drawn from each year’s Annual Exhibition which can be borrowed by clubs. Information about portfolio bookings also appears here: Folios and Frames
- Club members are encouraged to work towards PAGB awards for photographic merit. Mentoring can be provided nationally by those who already hold such awards and are currently active in national and international salons & competitions. Achieving awards helps to improve the success of the YPU and the clubs that represent the YPU in PAGB events. See An Introduction to APM
The YPU has a good standing on the PAGB Executive and cordial relations with the other 14 Federations that constitute the PAGB.
Alan Stopher CPAGB
Secretary – Yorkshire Photographic Union
secretary@ypu.org.uk
January 2026