UPOC Code of Conduct


Member Expectations

United Photojournalists of Canada (UPoC) advocates on behalf of Canadian freelance photojournalists to improve rates, contracts, and working conditions in Canadian media, through collective action. 
This is a community built on trust, transparency and mutual aid. It only functions with the input and participation of all involved. Members agree to abide by the following code of conduct and membership expectations:

  1. Treat everyone with respect, and the presumption of good faith, even when disagreements arise: strive to call people in, rather than call them out.

  2. Participate fully in the UPoC community to the best of your ability and capacity (which may ebb and flow, and that’s okay). Emerging photographers have important perspectives and insights to share that even the most cynical of veterans can learn from. 

  3. Respect and celebrate others’ contributions and achievements

  4. Refuse to tolerate or be a bystander to discrimination or harassment of any kind, including:

    1. Unwelcome remarks, gestures or physical contact

    2. Discriminatory jokes or language

    3. Threats of violence

    4. Verbal or physical abuse

  5. Be mindful of your relative privilege and position in the industry. Use it to support and uplift your fellow photographers. Never seek to gain advantage or misrepresent the influence you may have.

  6. Support your fellow photojournalists however you can, including while on the job. To be clear: competition is part of our industry, but never at the expense of your colleagues. The pressure of assignments does not excuse dishonesty, harassment or abuse towards other photographers.

  7. This is a safe space: discussions that take place within the UPoC slack channel are considered confidential and must not be shared outside the group, particularly with editors. This includes discussions around market and assignment rates. For example: Use rate information shared within the group as background to inform how you negotiate with clients, but quoting back one photographer’s rate to an editor or photo commissioner without explicit permission undermines community trust and puts our reputations at risk.

  8. Uphold the UPoC Photojournalism Code of Ethics