VII is a storied photo agency founded a few days before 9/11 to challenge the convergence in the photography business when the trend for giant companies swallowing smaller independent agencies started. VII went small and photographer-owned, believing in the power and energy of collective effort when everyone else seemed to be going big and corporate. VII remains a disruptive and innovative business unafraid to swim against the prevailing currents.
VII has turned its gaze far from the frontline of its foundation. It has earned a reputation for uncompromising photography immersed in the great issues of today. VII photographers and filmmakers are as likely to be found focusing on race, gender, and identity as they are on migration or conflict. Amplifying local voices and addressing the complex political, environmental, and social questions facing families everywhere, VII places great value in the power of images to tell important stories. The members of VII are motivated by issues and are proud to elevate those issues above the cult of the image or the cult of the photographer.
VII History
Photographers
Members
- Anush Babajanyan
- Jessica Dimmock
- Linda Bournane Engelberth
- Danny Wilcox Frazier
- Ziyah Gafic
- Mary Gelman
- Ashley Gilbertson
- Ron Haviv
- Ed Kashi
- Maciek Nabrdalik
- Ilvy Njiokiktjien
- Nichole Sobecki
Emeritus
- Jocelyn Bain Hogg
- Philip Blenkinsop
- Eric Bouvet
- Stefano De Luigi
- Gary Knight
- Joachim Ladefoged
- Paul Lowe
- Christopher Morris
- Seamus Murphy
- Franco Pagetti
- Espen Rasmussen
- Daniel Schwartz
- Maggie Steber
- John Stanmeyer
- Sara Terry
- Tomas Van Houtryve
- The Estate of Alexandra Boulat
Mentor Program
- Taha Ahmad
- Forough Alaei
- Zinyange Auntony
- Ali Arkady
- Leonardo Carrato
- Fabiola Ferrero
- Swarat Ghosh
- Hector Guerrero
- Christopher Lee
- Fred Ramos
- Prin Rodriguez
- Valentina Sinis
- Line Ørnes Søndergaard
- Nolan Ryan Trowe
Staff
Gary Knight
Strategy
Giana Choroszewski
Operations
[email protected]
Diane Wargnier
Social Media & Communications
[email protected]
Amber Maitland
Education & Assistant to Gary Knight
[email protected]
Board of Directors
The Board is responsible for the governance of the agency and is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting where the members discuss business strategy and direction. The Board works with the management and staff to implement that strategy. The current Chair of the Board is Ron Haviv and the members of the Board are Linda Bournane Engelberth, Ashley Gilbertson, Paul Lowe, Nichole Sobecki, John Stanmeyer, and Sara Terry.
In October 2017, with the integration of 12 new photographers, including 6 women, the agency created a new initiative focussed on ensuring the well being of its female members. Jessica Dimmock, a highly respected and long-standing member of the agency, leads the initiative.
VII is committed to providing a professional, fair, and respectful culture for all staff and represented photographers. Accordingly, we have partnered with Emtrain to provide mandatory professional conduct education to foster a healthy and productive environment where everyone feels safe, respected and included.
