How do I choose between the BIPP 'Hiring' and 'Membership' sections?

Updated

Choose I'm hiring if you want to find and book a photographer for a project; choose I am a professional if you make your living in photography or related visual fields and want to join the Institute. The homepage frames this as a simple two-way split — "Where do you need to be?" — so the decision rests on whether you are the buyer or the practitioner.

The two paths at a glance

Your situation Section to choose What it is for
You need a photographer for a commercial, wedding or other project I'm hiring Resources to help you narrow down and select the right creative for your project
You earn your living in photography or technical visual fields I am a professional (Membership) Resources, support and a community of like-minded individuals

If you are hiring a photographer

The Hiring area is built for clients. The site describes it as a set of resources "that aim to help you quickly narrow down and select the right creative for your project," and names commercial and wedding work as examples of the kind of brief it covers.

Use this path when:

  • You have a project and need to find a photographer whose niche matches it.
  • You want help comparing creatives rather than browsing at random.
  • You are commissioning work rather than building a photography career.

The expected result is a shortlist you can approach directly. The site does not publish rates or booking terms on the homepage, so treat the Hiring area as a starting point for selection and confirm scope, availability and price with the photographer.

If you are a professional photographer

The Membership area is for people "who make a living in the technical visual fields." The BIPP describes itself as the only Institute exclusively for professionals in the photographic industry, and notes that many members now take on multiple roles on client jobs, including videography, drone work and advanced retouching.

Use this path when:

  • Photography (or a related technical visual field) is your livelihood, not a hobby.
  • You want community, qualifications, mentoring and training — the four things the site lists as its core support.
  • You want to enter members' competitions, such as the Monthly Image Competition, or access the magazine, podcast and events.

The expected result is a membership application route. Joining is a paid membership decision, so check the current benefits and fees on the Membership pages before committing; the homepage does not list prices.

A quick way to decide

Ask one question: am I commissioning work or doing the work?

  • Commissioning → Hiring.
  • Doing the work for a living → Membership.

If you sit on both sides — for example, a photographer who also hires others for larger jobs — you can use both areas, but start with the one that matches your immediate task. Someone looking to book a wedding photographer this month belongs in Hiring; someone weighing up whether a BIPP qualification is worth it belongs in Membership.

Common sticking points

  • Hobbyists and semi-professionals. The Membership path is framed around making a living in the field. If photography is not your income, check the membership criteria before applying rather than assuming you qualify.
  • Related roles. Videographers, drone operators and retouchers are explicitly included in the professional community, so the Membership path is not limited to stills photographers.
  • Expecting prices on the homepage. Neither path publishes rates there. Hiring leads to selection resources; Membership leads to benefits and application details.

For background on the organisation itself, see our answer to "What is BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography)?" — it has supported professional photographers since 1901 and now has members across 31 countries.