FIAP Distinctions

This section should be read in conjunction with the appropriate Application Pack supplied below for the level of Distinction you wish to apply for.

SPF Members who are close to making a FIAP Distinction submission, who may only be short of a few Print acceptances before doing so, please read the following change as you may be able to submit an application this year (by Mid-January 2023). Please read the following in conjunction with the full FIAP Distinctions requirements further down this webpage.

FIAP have made the following decisions that continue to apply to Distinctions applications lodged in 2023:

• For AFIAP and EFIAP Distinctions, there will be no requirement for acceptances in “print” salons. This temporary measure relates to rules 2.2.d and 3.2.d of the FIAP Distinctions Document 011/2016.
• The "print" requirement will be required for those applying for AFIAP or EFIAP in Jan 2024.
• Applicants for EFIAP can use their AFIAP results towards meeting the requirements for EFIAP.
• Applicants for EFIAP Bronze will NOT be able to use any results towards their application that were gained before the date on their EFIAP certificate, which for SPF exhibitors is usually about Apr/May each year.
• For All Distinctions applications in 2022, the original signed pages A and B of the Distinctions application form can be scanned and sent electronically via WeTransfer. This gives FIAP the possibility of speeding up the application process. The original pages A and B still need to be posted such that FIAP receive them prior to the following year’s applications arriving. 
• Fees Reductions 2021-22: Fees for the first FIAP Photographers’ Card will be reduced from 50 to 25 euros for all applications submitted after June 30, 2021. This reduction will be valid till June 30, 2023. After this date, fees for the first FIAP Photographers’ Card will be restored to the previous level of 50 euros. 
• For MFIAP applications in 2022, the portfolio, which is normally sent as prints, must be sent ONLY as digital files. The portfolio of photos must be sent to FIAP as high resolution, high quality digital files, by WeTransfer, together with the application form. DO NOT send prints to FIAP for applications in 2022. DO NOT send photos on a CD-ROM to FIAP. Any applications for MFIAP require to be submitted to SPF by 1st Dec, for submission to FIAP early Jan.

All applications for a FIAP Distinction must be submitted via the Scottish Photographic Federation by applying to the SPF's FIAP Liaison Officer. Please Note - FIAP will only allow us to submit applications once a year.

Applications for FIAP Distinctions must therefore be submitted to the SPF's FIAP Liaison Officer between 14th October 2022 and 16th January 2023. PLEASE SEND ONLY AS FIRST OR SECOND CLASS MAIL. IMAGES MUST BE SENT VIA WETRANSFER. THEY WILL CONFIRM RECEIPT BY EMAIL WITHIN 1 WEEK. All applications will be forwarded to FIAP Mid February 2023. FIAP now require 3 months to process the applications so certificates may not be available till mid May.

Applicants at all levels are advised to read the sections in the FIAP Book from page 91 (click here) and comply with these requirements set out in FIAP Document 011/2016 E Sections 8 and 9; and comply with Section 2 if AFIAP; Section 3 if EFIAP; Section 4 if EFIAP levels respectively. In addition please see the Important Updates given above re 2021-22 Application changes.

Full details are also available to download below for each of the levels of Distinction.

NEW - There is a change to the way you require to apply for the FIAP Photographers 'Life' Card from 1st Jan 2019. As it is a requirement that you hold a FIAP Photographers 'Life' Card before you can apply for a FIAP Distinction, please see the NEW details below (minor changes in 2021).

The FIAP Photographer's 'Life' Card is a credit card sized identification document for members. This card serves as an ID card and, unlike the old ‘Card’, carries a unique ID Number (FP-XXXXXXX) that will stay with you for life. Although having no status outside FIAP, the card can be very useful to show as a photographic credential.

FIAP rules require that the holder of a FIAP distinction must also be the holder of their card. You must also be the holder of one of these cards to attend any FIAP Congress, AGM or FIAP Photo Meeting.

Since January 2019, it is now compulsory for all applications for this card to be made by the applicant via the FIAP Platform at (click here) Here you will set up a single free personal profile (FP) before ordering your Life Card.

When you open this web page there is a video explaining the process in detail. There is a charge of €50 (reduced to €25 in 2021 and 2022 - ends June 2023), plus postage and PayPal charges (through which, without exception, payment has to be made).

After your personal profile is created, you will be notified by email that your account is active. You will receive an “FP Number” in 7-digit (FP-XXXXXXX) as the username for login and will be prompted to set your own password.

Unless you already hold a FIAP Photographer's Life Card, you will need to obtain one to make your first application for a distinction. You will therefore have to obtain your card BEFORE you can apply for a FIAP Distinction.

If you are already the holder of a FIAP Photographer's Life Card then, if you wish to have it updated (eg, after receiving a new distinction certificate) you can do so in the first instance by requesting it on the FIAP website, it will be supplied to you through the SPF FIAP Liaison Officer. Since 1st Jan 2021 this is now available for free. (Please see section below for details)

If a card requires replacement after being lost or stolen or requires amendment (eg, change of name) then the charge at the time plus postage and PayPal charges will apply.

A FIAP Photographer's Life Card can also be obtained via the above process without applying for a FIAP Distinction

Current Ref 185/2021E and 187/2021

You will find some of the images from successful FIAP Distinction applicants in our gallery section. (Click here) to view AFIAP images. (Click here) to view EFIAP images and (click here) for EFIAP levels (bronze and silver) 

We hope to bring you some of this year's successful applicants very soon.

The distinction "Excellence FIAP" (EFIAP) is awarded to photographic artists who, apart from having excellent techniques, have a significant number of their work often been accepted in many international salons under FIAP Patronage.

The following procedure must be followed: See separate sheet “Notes to Assist EFIAP Applicants 2023”. The full EFIAP Pack is available to download below. Please read the section in the FIAP Book from page 92 on the following link (click here) and comply with these requirements set out in FIAP Document 011/2016 E Sections 3, 8 and 9.

When the EFIAP distinction is awarded, the candidate will receive a diploma and a badge with red enamel.

Applicants for EFIAP can use their AFIAP results towards meeting the requirements for EFIAP.

Please Note - the 'print' requirement has been dropped for 2021-22 and 2022-23 submissions, but will be reinstated for the applications being made in Jan 2024.

In order to honour photographic artists who, after having received the EFIAP distinction, continue to actively participate in international salons under FIAP Patronage and, by so doing, help to promote photography with their new artistic production, FIAP has instituted seven additional EFIAP levels e.g. EFIAP/b, EFIAP/s, EFIAP/g etc.

The following procedure must be followed: See separate sheet “Notes to Assist EFIAP Levels Applicants 2023”. The full EFIAP Levels Pack is available to download below. Please read the section in the FIAP Book from page 92 on the following link (click here) and comply with these requirements set out in FIAP Document 011/2016 E Sections 4, 8 and 9.

Note - Applicants for EFIAP Bronze will NOT be able to use any results towards their application that were gained before the date on their EFIAP certificate, which for SPF exhibitors is usually about Apr/May each year.

Congratulations to all of the below successful recipients of this year's FIAP Distinctions Applications. To see a selection of the images used by those successful photographers in their Portfolios to FIAP in 2022 please visit the following SPF galleries (coming soon)