About

Our Mission

The White House News Photographers Association (WHNPA) is dedicated to promoting, protecting and advancing the interests and intellectual property rights of its members which still consists of still and video photographers assigned to cover the White House and other news events in Washington and beyond.

We strongly believe in the public’s natural and legal right to freedom in searching for the truth and the right to be accurately and completely informed about the world in which we live.

Our Vision

We believe that there is a direct linkage between the survival of a democratic society and an accurate and free press. Members of the WHNPA maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct in serving the public interest, which includes truth, accuracy and fairness. Our images strive to be objective and independent.

Member Education

The White House News Photographers Association holds quarterly membership meetings to benefit our members. Topics include grant winners showing their work, new product demonstrations by our sponsors and panel discussions to educate the wider community. We offer ongoing educational programs on copyright and intellectual property, and workshops to teach new ways of presenting work through multimedia. With our student contest and programming we aim to stimulate and encourage interest in photography, either as a future career or as a hobby.

The WHNPA Project Grant

This annual $5,000 grant has been established for a member to work on an in-depth project of his or her own choosing that might not be possible without financial assistance.

The WHNPA Seminar Grant

This semiannual grant of $250 allows a member to defray the cost of attending a continuing education seminar or to help cover expenses associated with presenting a seminar.

Annual Contests

Our members continually generate remarkable world-changing images while on assignment and the annual WHNPA ‘Eyes of History®’ contests, held since 1941, celebrate our members’ creativity and competitive spirit in the still, video and multimedia disciplines.

The White House News Photographers Association is led by an Executive Board and guided by its members. The Board is comprised of four officers and six representatives from the still and video communities within the WHNPA. The WHNPA also employs an Executive Director.

The White House News Photographers Association has several committees with responsibilities ranging from grant distribution, contest organization, soliciting sponsorships and more. These committees are lead by WHNPA members and are composed of volunteers.