Members of The Royal Photographic Society holding a Society distinction or qualification will be able to use a special emblem on their personal stationery while they remain members.  The Society has registered a trade mark which includes the LRPS, ARPS, FRPS distinctions and Imaging Scientist qualifications on it. Members may make use of these – provided they have the award - on their business cards, letterheads and other stationery as well as on websites.

The appropriate jpg and tiff file will be emailed to members holding a distinction or qualification over the next week. Members with a distinction or qualification for whom The Society does not hold an email address may request a CD containing the files for a small fee from Andy Moore, Distinctions Manager, at Fenton House. 

The Society’s distinctions are recognised internationally as a sign of excellence in photography. They cover all aspects of the photography from contemporary, professional and applied, to visual art and research and education. Each distinction requires applicants to have reached the required standard of technical and creative ability, with the Fellowship requiring excellence and evidence of distinguished ability in the chosen field. The Imaging Scientist qualifications recognise achievements in this field and are widely acknowledged as a sign of professional competence.

The Society’s Distinctions Manager Andy Moore commented: “The Society’s distinctions and qualifications are already seen globally as a sign of excellence and making these emblems available to members will allow their hard won achievment to be recognised more widely. For those working professionally in photography the emblem will reinforce their competency as a photographer giving them an edge in a competitive marketplace.”

The Society introduced its Fellowship in 1895 with the Associatehip following in 1924 and the Licentiateship in 1972. The Imaging Scientist Qualifications were started in 1994. More information on The Society's Distinctions and Qualifications with examples of work is available at: http://www.rps.org/distinctions-introduction