This award carries with it an Honorary Fellowship of The Society. It recognises major sustained, outstanding and influential contributions to the advancement of Photography and/or Imaging in their widest meanings.  To be eligible candidates must have made a contribution that has had a significant influence on the sustained advancement or enhancement of photography or imaging.  Such influence may, but not necessarily, have been through commerical activities.

This award is to be made occasionally to a notable person who has contributed over a significant period of time to the global world of photography.  Recipients might include communicators, directors of museums, picture libraries or galleries, archivists, senior administrators, CEOs or team leaders of manufacturing or service organisations that have advanced imaging.

Previous recipients of The Royal Photographic Society Award for Outstanding Service to Photography are:

2009       Dewi Lewis Hon FRPS
2010       Michael G Wilson OBE, Hon FRPS
2011       Philippe Garner Hon FRPS
2012       Kathy Ryan Hon FRPS