Recognition

Recognition, Honors, and Awards

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PSA recognizes members for Photographic Achievements, Contributions and Service to the Society, and Individual Awards for the advancement of photography.

Photographic Achievements

Star Ratings

Star Ratings are earned by participating and receiving acceptances in PSA-recognized exhibitions. Stars are awarded separately in each of the six PSA Divisions. Star Ratings build on the number of acceptances and titles earned, and are awarded in the following order: Star Ratings 1 - 5, Galaxies 1 - 10, and Diamonds 1 - 10. This is a Members only benefit.

✉ Senior Star Ratings Director

Overview

Recognition of Photographic Achievement (ROPA)

Recognition of Photographic Achievement (ROPA) distinctions are acquired by using earned Star Ratings certificates. ROPA Distinctions are awarded depending on the number of Star Ratings earned. Members may apply for: QPSA, PPSA, EPSA, MPSA, MPSA2, GMPSA, GMPSA/B, GMPSA/S, GMPSA/G and GMPSA/P. This is a Members only benefit.

✉ ROPA Director

Overview Ropa recipients

Portfolio Distinctions

Portfolio distinctions are earned from submitting a body of work which is then reviewed and accepted. There are three types of portfolio distinctions: Bronze (BPSA), Silver (SPSA), and Gold (GPSA). This is a Members only benefit.

Peter Nicholls, GPSA
✉ Portfolio Distinction Program Director

Overview portfolio recipients

PSA Consultants are available to help apply for Star Ratings, Honors and Distinctions

Consultants and Mentors are members who have excelled in a specific area of photography and will share their expertise and resources with PSA members. Member must be signed in to their account to request a consultant.

Mentors & Consultants Information

PSA Special Awards

International Understanding Through Photography (IUTP)

IUTP Award annually recognizes an accomplished photographer whose images and their presentation have clearly contributed to the advancement of understanding among people. IUTP honors living photographers whose work has had a unique impact on the world by focusing attention or changing perceptions. The recipient need not be a member of PSA.

Richard Cloran
✉ Director of IUTP

iutp recipients

PSA Lifetime Achievement Award

The PSA Lifetime Achievement Award, created in 2012, is presented each year to a photographer in recognition of his or her lifetime photographic achievements. The recipient must be a member of the Society. The award is presented at the annual PSA Photo Festival.

Richard Cloran
✉ Director of Lifetime Achievement Award

lifetime achievement recipients

PSA Progress Award

The Progress Award recognizes a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the progress of photography or an allied subject. The recipient does not have to be a member of the Society. The Progress Award, PSA's highest award, is presented each year during the Honors Banquet at the PSA Photo Festival.

Steven Friedman

✉ Director of Progress Award

progress award recipients

Recognition of Service

Downloadable forms for these awards are available in the Members Only area after login.

Society Recognition Awards

Society Recognition Awards (SRA) recognize PSA members for their contribution to photography and to PSA. They are presented during the Opening Meeting of the PSA Photo Festival. The recipients of these awards are selected by the Society Recognition Awards Committee.

✉ Director of Society Recognition Awards

Overview SRA recipients

PSA Service Awards

The PSA Service Awards are presented to PSA members and clubs in recognition of outstanding service to the Society. These awards are not based on photographic performance but are given for exceptional service to the Society. PSA members are encouraged to propose or endorse deserving individuals and clubs.

✉ Director of PSA Service Awards

Club Recipients

individual Recipients

OVERVIEW

Division, Committee, and Special Awards

There are various awards given to deserving members who show tireless energy, time, and dedication to a division, committee, program, or service of PSA throughout the year. The awards are presented at the Photo Festival during the Division meetings or at the Opening Ceremony.
President's Award
PSA Journal Awards
Membership Director Award
International Representative
Divisions
Club and Council Awards

Honors Program

PSA recognizes individuals who have contributed services to PSA and/or the entire Photographic Community by bestowing Honors upon them. There are four types of Honors. APSA, FPSA, HonPSA, HonFPSA. PSA Honors are formally presented each year at the Final Banquet of the PSA Annual Conference (in the year following submission of the Honors proposal).