For Immediate Release

Lack of consultation with Professional Photographers of Canada leads to confusion amongst Photographers

May 25, 2021, Woodstock, Ontario – The May 20^th, 2021 release of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening has left photographers across Ontario confused about whether they are currently permitted to reopen. There was no consultation requested from the Government with the Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) about how Photographers can operate their businesses safely. The Roadmap only indicates that Photography Studios and Services will be permitted to reopen in Step 2 with restrictions, however, no restrictions or guidelines have been given. The PPOC has been providing COVID safety guidance to Photographers since the beginning of the Pandemic and has requested to have an audience with the government several times over the past year.

“Individuals and families are being denied the documentation of important occasions such as graduations, engagements, weddings, or the birth of a baby by a professional photographer,” said Linda Ryma, Chair of the Ontario Region of the PPOC. “Under the current rules, social gatherings up to five people (and soon to be 10 people) are permitted to gather outside. Adding a photographer who can work from a distance would not increase any risk of COVID exposure.”

“We have been lobbying the Ontario Government since the beginning of the pandemic to provide important input about the photography industry, however, our attempts at communication have all been ignored,” indicated Jennifer Gilbert, National Director for Ontario. “It is unclear why Commercial and Industrial photographers are permitted to work, however, retail photographers (which is an outdated term) must remain closed. All we are asking is to be at the table to participate in the creation of policies for our industry.”

The Professional Photographers of Canada is Canada’s oldest and most recognized professional photography association and is considered by many to Canada’s leader in developing and maintaining the highest level of photographic excellence, and adherence to professional standards.  Our central office receives a significant number of calls from potential photography clients as well as member and non-member photographers, seeking guidance as to what services are currently permitted. The Ontario government’s failure to adequately address photography services throughout the course of the pandemic has made it virtually impossible to provide answers with any degree of confidence. 

The PPOC is asking to be involved in the process in an effort to eliminate the confusion that currently surrounds our industry.

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Gilbert                                    Linda Ryma

National Director, Ontario                    Chair, Ontario Region

ondirector@ppoc.ca                             onchair@ppoc.ca

(647) 448-9934                                    (807) 620-2350