FIAP Distinctions

FIAP Photographic Distinctions are available to individuals who are members of SPF Clubs. Full details about FIAP Distinctions and how to apply is available from this area of this website. Firstly, you must participate in salons with FIAP patronage to gain acceptances.

A full list of these qualifying Exhibitions (Salons) can be found on the FIAP Patronages website (click here) Remember that our own SPF Scottish International Salon and our member Club Edinburgh Photographic Society's Edinburgh International all count towards these FIAP Distinctions as does the NEW EPS International Digital Exhibition. See full details below.

You require to keep a note of all the competitions you have entered. When you have completed the requirement, you can submit an application for the FIAP Distinction, but you require to have a new type FIAP Photographer's Card first.

All applications for FIAP distinctions from Scottish Club Members must be made through the SPF. As Scotland is a FIAP member country in it's own right you cannot make an Application via the PAGB even although you are also a PAGB member. The SPF is only permitted to submit applications to FIAP once a year. The SPF are responsible for checking the information given before submission to FIAP. 

Applications may be made to the SPF's FIAP Liaison Officer, following the details given below for the level of Distinction being applied for between 1st March and by 15th May, except for MFIAP which has alternative date requirements which can be found below. We will confirm receipt by email within one week - please check your spam folder if you don't see an email. 

All applications will be forwarded to FIAP in a timescale to allow the mid-August certificate date to be maintained. FIAP now require three months to process applications.

*NOTICE* - Thinking of Applying for a FIAP Distinction in 2024? Please be aware that due to a delay in the submission of the 2023 Applications it has been necessary to amend the SPF processing dates for receipt of all future FIAP Distinctions Applications.

  • All applications should now be sent to be received by the SPF FIAP Liaison Officer between the 1st March and 15th May annually, instead of by our previous mid-January date.
  • Please wait for paperwork for 2024 appearing here before submitting any Applications. 
  • Also please note that Print Acceptances are again a requirement of AFIAP and EFIAP for 2024 onwards.

TO SEE A SELECTION OF IMAGES SUBMITTED TO FIAP BY SCOTTISH AUTHORS OVER THE YEARS (CLICK HERE)

TO SEE AN EFIAP DIAMOND SHOWCASE - SEE THE FIAP NEWS NEWSLETTER FOR MAY 2023 ON OUR FIAP PAGE (CLICK HERE) you will also find the latest FIAP NEWS newsletter available there too.

More about FIAP can be found on the FIAP website (click here) or on the FIAP area of this website (click here)

SPF's FIAP Distinctions Successes 2023

Congratulations to all of the SPF's FIAP Distinctions applicants listed below who were successful in 2023. They show 6 AFIAP Applications, 3 EFIAP applications, 1 at EFIAP/bronze and 1 at EFIAP/silver. 

You can also visit our 2023 gallery showing their portfolios of images that were used by these authors to gain their Distinction in 2023, (click here) 

A selection of images from their portfolios are also displayed within the FIAP collection on their website. If you would like to see this year's images together with a variety of the images from Scottish applications in recent years please visit (click here) or for a selection from Distinctions successes from throughout the world (click here)

AuthorClubDistinction
1Mary GibsonCarluke CCAFIAP
2David GoldMearns CCAFIAP
3June GoldMearns CCAFIAP
4Lorna HaytonAyr PSAFIAP
5Ruth HaytonAyr PSAFIAP
6Lynne WatsonKirkintilloch CCAFIAP
7David GreerEdinburgh PSEFIAP
8Roy SmithAyr PSEFIAP
9David SpinksStrathaven CCEFIAP
10Bruce HarleyLivingston CCEFIAP/b
11Alexandra McOristEdinburgh PSEFIAP/s
Important FIAP Distinction News - Update For 2023 and 2024 Applications

This section should be read in conjunction with the appropriate Application Pack supplied below for the level of Distinction you wish to apply for. 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 2024:

  • The "print" requirement will now be required for those applying for AFIAP or EFIAP in 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 has been Apr/May and from 2023 will now be August each year.
  • Fees Reductions 2021-22: 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.
FIAP Nature Definition from Jan 2022
Applying for a FIAP Distinction

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 1st March 2024 and 15th May 2024. PLEASE SEND ONLY AS FIRST OR SECOND CLASS MAIL. IMAGES MUST BE SENT VIA WETRANSFER. WE WILL CONFIRM RECEIPT BY EMAIL WITHIN 1 WEEK. All applications will be forwarded to FIAP, to retain a mid-August certificate date. FIAP now require 3 months to process the applications.

Please see full details available to download below for each of the levels of Distinction, which includes the SPF's submission requirements as well as guidance notes on making an application.

Applicants at all levels are advised to read the sections in the FIAP Book from page 91 (click here) FIAP Document 011/2016 E and comply with these requirements set out in  Sections 8 and 9; and also comply with the following as applicable;

Section 2 if AFIAP;

Section 3 if EFIAP;

Section 4 if EFIAP levels respectively.

In addition please see the Important Updates given above re 2023-4 Application changes, 

It is also requirement that you hold a 'new style' FIAP Photographers 'Life' Card before you can apply for a FIAP Distinction, please see the details below.

FIAP Photographers (Life) Card Application

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

Updating a Photographer's (Life) Card with a New Distinction (since 2021)

If you wish to update your FIAP Photographer's Life Card after receiving a new distinction, then the process is different.

When FIAP updates your “Personal Profile” with your new distinction, the platform generates an email to you inviting you to update your Life Card.

You will then need to access your “Personal Profile” on the myfiap platform, using your username and password, to request the updated card. It is not compulsory to update your Life Card: it is your choice. From 1st January 2021, this service is now free of charge.

After production of the new cards by FIAP, the new Life Cards will be sent in bulk, once a year, to your SPF FIAP Liaison Officer who will send them out to the Individual Photographers. This is likely to be after Certificates have been sent.

Current Ref 185/2021E

The AFIAP Distinction

The distinction "Artist FIAP" (AFIAP) is the first artistic distinction that can be obtained. It is awarded to photographic artists whose artistic qualities, technique and production of work have been acknowledged through their participation in international salons under FIAP Patronage.

The candidate for this distinction must:

  • Have taken part with success in international salons under FIAP Patronage for at least 1 year; i.e. his first FIAP-recognised acceptance must have occurred at least 1 year ago.
  • Have taken part with success in at least 15 international salons under FIAP Patronage in at least 8 different countries. In this respect a Circuit is to be considered as a single salon.
  • Have obtained at least 40 acceptances with at least 15 different works in international salons under FIAP Patronage.
  • Include in his portfolio of works a minimum of 4 different works, which have each received at least one acceptance in “Print” salons under FIAP Patronage. Please Note - this 'print' requirement has been reinstated for the applications being made in 2024.

Candidates for AFIAP distinction must submit: 

  • A completed application form using forms prescribed by FIAP (xls form which can be downloaded below) to be submitted on paper and as xls file. 
  • A portfolio of 5 photographic works of the candidate in form of a digital file (please see minimum size requirements). All the submitted works must have obtained 3 FIAP - recognised acceptances in different salons. In this respect a Circuit is considered to be a single salon.
  • A completed SPF Summary sheet available from below

To submit an application, you must follow the procedure laid out in - “Notes to Assist AFIAP Applicants 2023” available to download below. The full AFIAP Pack of everything you require is available to download below.

Please read the section in the FIAP Book from page 91 on the following link (click here) and comply with these requirements set out in FIAP Document 011/2016 E Sections 2, 8 and 9.

Please ensure that all Salon Names and Salon Patronage Numbers listed on your xls form agree with those listed on the following FIAP Patronages website (click here) and ensure for Circuits that both the Circuit Name and the Individual Salon name and patronage numbers are listed against each acceptance.

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

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 EFIAP Distinction

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 91 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 reinstated for the applications being made in May 2024.

The EFIAP Levels Distinctions

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 91 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 now mid August (previously Apr/May) each year.

The MFIAP Distinction

The distinction "Master Photographer of FIAP" (MFIAP) is awarded to a photographic artist in recognition of his/her entire achievements in the field of artistic photography. MFIAP is the third step, after AFIAP and EFIAP, in the FIAP distinctions awarded for personal successes in photography.

The candidate must be holder of the EFIAP distinction for at least 3 years, based on the date of the certificate.

The following procedure must be followed:

  • See separate sheet “Notes to Assist MFIAP Applicants 2024”.
  • The full MFIAP 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 5, 8 and 9.

Any applications for MFIAP require to be submitted to SPF between 1st September 2023 and by 1st December 2023, for submission to FIAP for January 2024.

Please contact the SPF's FIAP Liaison Officer, if you require further advice.

Visit the FIAP website MFIAP area to see photos from photographers from throughout the world awarded MFIAP (click here) 

The following successful Scottish author's MFIAP panels are also available to view on the FIAP website;

To view Robert Fulton's successful MFIAP Panel (2015) (click here)   To view Peter Paterson's successful MFIAP Panel (2015) (click here)   To view Rod Wheelans' successful MFIAP panel (2008) (click here)   To view John Simpson's successful MFIAP panel (2006) (click here)

FIAP 2022 Distinctions Awarded

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)

Photographer ClubLevel
1Vlastimil BlahaKirkintilloch CCAFIAP
2William George?AFIAP
3David GreerEdinburgh PSAFIAP
4Kenny McLeanCumbernauld and Kilsyth PSAFIAP
5Marion McMurdoAuchterarder CCAFIAP
6Charlie MooreEastwood PSAFIAP
7Derek NobleEdinburgh PSAFIAP
8David SpinksStrathaven CCAFIAP
9David HaliburtonKirkintilloch CCEFIAP
10Bruce HarleyLivingston CCEFIAP
11Brian CathieQueen's Park CCEFIAP/b
12Norma McDowallPaisley Colour PCEFIAP/b
13Alexandra McOristEdinburgh PSEFIAP/b
14Keith ThorburnOban PCEFIAP/b
15David SadlerDundee PSEFIAP/g
16Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/d3
17Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/d3
18John McNairnDundee PSEFIAP/d3
FIAP Distinctions 2021 Awarded

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 2021 please visit the following SPF galleries - Gallery 1 (click here)  and for Gallery 2 (click here)

AuthorClubDistinction
1Bruce HarleyLivingstonAFIAP
2Jim StevensonKilmaurs PCEFIAP
3Fiona SpenceEdinburgh PSEFIAP
4Barrie SpenceEdinburgh PSEFIAP
5Bob HumphreysDonside CCEFIAP
6Ken GilliesEdinburgh PSEFIAP
7Ken WilkieEastwood PSEFIAP/b
8David SadlerDundee PSEFIAP/S
9Clive TurnerPaisley PSEFIAP/S
10Andrew HayesBrechin PSEFIAP/G
11Iain McFadyenPaisley PSEFIAP/G
12Bill TerranceKilmaurs PCEFIAP/d2
13John McNairnDundee PSEFIAP/d2
14Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/d2
15Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/d2
FIAP 2020 Distinctions Awarded
TitleAuthorClubDistinction
1Barrie SpenceEdinburgh PSAFIAP
2Fiona SpenceEdinburgh PSAFIAP
3David HalliburtonKirkintilloch CCAFIAP
4Peter StanfordDunfermline PAAFIAP
5Jim StevensonKilmaurs PCAFIAP
6Brian CathieKirkintilloch CCEFIAP
7David SadlerDundee PSEFIAP/B
8Andy HayesEdinburgh PSEFIAP/S
9John McNairnDundee PSEFIAP/D1
10Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/D1
11Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/D1
12 Bill TerranceKilmaurs PCEFIAP/D1
FIAP 2019 Distinctions Awarded
NameClubDistinction
1Kenneth GilliesEdinburgh PSAFIAP
2Rosemary GilliesEdinburgh PSAFIAP
3Robert HumphriesDonside CCAFIAP
4Peter ClarkDundee PSEFIAP
5Robert QuigKilmaurs PCEFIAP
6Kenneth PetersDundee PSEFIAP
7Keith ThorburnFort William PSEFIAP
8Andrew HayesBrechin PSEFIAP/b
9Iain McFadyenPaisley PSEFIAP/s
10John McNairnDundee PSEFiAP/g
11Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/p
12Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/p
FIAP 2018 Distinctions Awarded
NoNameClubAward
1Allan DonaldsonPaisley Photographic SocietyAFIAP
2James MoirEdinburgh Photographic SocietyAFIAP
3Kenneth PetersDundee Photographic SocietyAFIAP
4Peter ClarkDundee Photographic SocietyAFIAP
5Robert QuigKilmaurs Photographic ClubAFIAP
6Brian CathieKirkintilloch Camera ClubAFIAP
7Keith ThorburnEdinburgh Photographic SocietyAFIAP
8Alexander BerndtEdinburgh Photographic SocietyEFIAP
9Ian MitchellBon Accord Camera ClubEFIAP
10Cameron ScottCarluke Camera ClubEFIAP
11Kenneth WilkieEastwood Photographic SocietyEFIAP
12Alexandra McOristEdinburgh Photographic SocietyEFIAP
13Norma McDowallPaisley Colour Photographic ClubEFIAP
14Iain McFadyenPaisley Photographic SocietyEFIAP/b
15Eion JohnstonEdinburgh Photographic SocietyEFIAP/g
16John McNairnSt Andrews Photographic SocietyEFIAP/g
17Terry RailleyEdinburgh Photographic SocietyEFIAP/g
18Bill TerranceKilmaurs Photographic ClubEFIAP/p
FIAP 2017 Distinctions Awarded
AuthorClubDistinction
1Alexander BerndtEdinburgh PSAFIAP
2Alexandra McOristEdinburgh PSAFIAP
3Ian MitchellBon Accord CCAFIAP
4Kenneth WilkieEastwood PSAFIAP
5James BlackPaisley Colour PCEFIAP
6Gaille GrayCarluke CCEFIAP
7Andrew HayesBrechin PSEFIAP
8Iain McFadyenPaisley PSEFIAP
9David SadlerDundee PSEFIAP
10Douglas VernimmenEdinburgh PSEFIAP/bronze
11Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/silver
12John McNairnSt Andrews PSEFIAP/silver
13Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/silver
14Richard BinghamEdinburgh PSEFIAP/gold
15Bill TerranceKilmaurs PSEFIAP/gold
FIAP 2016 Distinctions Awarded
NameClubDistinction
1David SadlerDundee PSAFIAP
2Gaillie GrayCarluke CCAFIAP
3Cameron ScottCarluke CCAFIAP
4Andrew HayesBrechin PSAFIAP
5Iain McFadyenPaisley PSAFIAP
6Moira GardnerKirkcaldy PSEFIAP
7Ken LindsayEastwood PSEFIAP
8Roger HintonBon Accord CCEFIAP
9Karen BerryEdinburgh PSEFIAP
10John McNairnSt Andrews PSEFIAP/b
11Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP/b
12Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP/b
13Bill TerrenceKilmaurs PCEFIAP/s
FIAP 2015 Distinctions Awarded
AuthorClubDistinction
1Moira GardnerKirkcaldy PSAFIAP
2Katherine (Kay) MenmuirPerthshire PSAFIAP
3Robert GilmourCowal CCAFIAP
4Roger HintonBon Accord CCAFIAP
5Martin ReidCKPSAFIAP
6James BlackPCPCAFIAP
7Norma McDowallPCPCAFIAP
8John McNairnSt Andrews PSEFIAP
9Eion JohnstonEdinburgh PSEFIAP
10Jimmy MassonEdinburgh PSEFIAP
11Terry RailleyEdinburgh PSEFIAP
12Pat CopnerPatricia CatherineEFIAP
13Nicola ShepherdSt Andrews PSEFIAP
14Bill TerranceKilmaurs PCEFIAP/B
15Clive TurnerPaisley PSEFIAP/B
16Colin StaceyDundee PSEFIAP/B
17Richard BinghamEdinburgh PSEFIAP/S
18Neil ScottEdinburgh PSEFIAP/S
19Robert FultonPCPCMFIAP
20Peter PatersonEdinburgh PSMFIAP