Vanessa Slawson FRPS joined the Royal Photographic Society in 1982 when starting her career as a professional photographer and completing a PQE course at Salisbury College of Art. She gained her Associateship whilst studying with a set of photomicrography images in 1984, and went on to achieve an Applied Fellowship in 2003.
She became an assessor on the Licentiate panel in 2002 and from 2010 chaired the panel for a further 8 years. Her experience as a professional photographer, specialising in theatrical and dance images along with weddings and social photography saw her join the Applied panel in 2011, also serving as Panel Deputy and Chair for 3 years.
Slawson was co-opted and then elected as a Trustee and Council Member serving for 7 years from 2012 – 2019. She was part of the team who moved the RPS from Bath to Bristol and had the pleasure of seeing the organisation move to a new site that included an exhibition space and lecture theatre facilities. During her time on the Board, she used her professional experience of working in the charity sector and with membership organisations to improve the RPS’s volunteer support and recognition.
For 18 years Vanessa contributed much of her spare time to personally supporting photographers who wished to gain their distinctions at advisory days and after assessments. This was not only around the UK but also worldwide. She continues to advise and support local photographers who wish to start their Distinction journey and actively contributes to a stock library.
