Photography Society Scrutinized For Profiteering Off Families In Virus Crisis
Image via Shutterstock
A graphic circulated to members of the Master Photographers Association (MPA) has upset some people, as it appears to be trying to make a quick buck off the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peter Hayers, chairman of the Royal Photographic Society’s Distinctions Committee, tweeted the screenshot, which shows a recent call by the MPA to photograph the elderly and “capitalize on the coronavirus crisis.”
“Boris [Johnson] yesterday said many of our loved ones are going to die as the virus is striking down those over 60,” the message read. “Therefore, this is the ideal time to remind everyone to have a generational portrait smiling.”
The call circulated last Friday, after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the coronavirus pandemic was “the worst public health crisis for a generation.”
“Many more families are going to lose their loved ones before their time,” Johnson warned the British public.
The note took advantage of Johnson’s chilling message by trying to profit off an unfortunate period. “You can’t say ‘have the oldies photographed before the virus gets them,’ but Boris has paved the way, we just have to put out the idea as ripples,” the message said.
Hayes, who posted the screenshot, said it was a “disgrace.”
However, chairman of the MPA Ray Lowe defended to PetaPixel that the message was “taken out of context.” Lowe said that the “article was in a private communication” with MPA’s members “as a way of generating activity to create more work for their studios and businesses.”
Lowe explained that the message was part of an ongoing campaign that started way before the coronavirus outbreak began, and apologized if the note had upset or offended anyone.
This has apparently been circulated to Members of the Master Photographers Assiciation, urging them to capitalise on the Coronavirus crisis. A disgrace. #mpauk #COVID19 #photography pic.twitter.com/pHxkaNNvRc
— Peter Hayes FRPS (@peterhayes123) March 16, 2020
That is disgusting. Whoever is responsible for that should be ashamed.
— Dave 'Gnasher' Nash (@gnasheruk) March 16, 2020
Pardon my French but holy effing shit. This is mind-blowingly crass.@Samcornwell @HamishGill @kosmofoto @VintagePhotoCo @DrMarsRover
— EMULSIVE (@EMULSIVEfilm) March 16, 2020
Delightful. Capitalism’s got a way to go yet 🤦♂️
— The SolarCan (@TheSolarCan) March 16, 2020
There’s audacity, there’s taking advantage of a situation and then right there, under the crusty dog doo on the discarded condom wrapper by the side of the canal is this. Disgusting.
— EMULSIVE (@EMULSIVEfilm) March 16, 2020
[via PetaPixel, opening image via Shutterstock]
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