Under-represented Group: Format Photography Agency

I was entirely unsure about what subject to look at in relation to under-represented groups in the media. Upon visiting the National Portrait Gallery in London, I found an exhibition on The Format Photography Agency, a group of women who focused on women and other under-represented groups in the media.

The Format Photography Agency was founded in 1983 and was made up of and promoted the work of contemporary women photographers. The agency wanted members to develop their creativity and careers. The eight founding members of Format were Anita Corbin, Sheila Gray, Pam Isherwood, Jenny Matthews, Maggie Murray, Joanne O’Brien, Raissa Page and Val Wilmer.

The photographers of the agency photographed people and issues both abroad and in Britain, which were under-represented in the mainstream media at the time. They documented important events such as the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and the Miners’ Strike in 1984-5. The agency itself was also an important part of brining about social change.

Format was the only photography agency in British history to be made up of only women. I have always been interested in the role of women in photography and whether they had been under-represented (I have previously posted my thoughts on women in music photography). The agency aimed to reduce gender stereotypes and change how women and other groups in society were viewed. Format unfortunately closed in 2003, after 20 years, after maintaining a varied client base the independent agency was just not able to compete in the market.

I think it would have been a big step in the first place for an all-women’s photographic agency to exist, considering the role of women in history. I found it difficult to find a lot of information on the agency, but it appears that the women inspired more people to start thinking differently about under-represented groups in society and in the media, and also got people thinking differently about the role of women in photography.

Below are some examples of the Format Photography Agency’s work. I think that the images definitely show the strength of the women in the photographs. The strength that they are clearly trying to put across while trying to change the role of women in photography and in the media.