About Us
The BIPOC Photo Mentorship Program began in Toronto in September 2020 as a way to address systematic barriers faced by emerging BIPOC photographers, and with a goal to encourage diversity in the industry. Since that time, more than 190 mentorship opportunities have been offered by 90 professional photographers and members of the photographic industry from Canada and the US. The mentorships have varied in structure and content; from fielding business questions by phone, providing on-set opportunities, giving project-specific critique via Zoom and Facetime, offering structured research and shooting assignments, to hosting virtual group-based check-ins and encouragement.
The BIPOC Photo Mentorship Program began in Toronto in September 2020 as a way to address systematic barriers faced by emerging BIPOC photographers, and with a goal to encourage diversity in the industry. Since that time, more than 190 mentorship opportunities have been offered by 90 professional photographers and members of the photographic industry from Canada and the US. The mentorships have varied in structure and content; from fielding business questions by phone, providing on-set opportunities, giving project-specific critique via Zoom and Facetime, offering structured research and shooting assignments, to hosting virtual group-based check-ins and encouragement.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Press and Recognition
BPM has a regular column in industry publication Photo Ed magazine. Find back issues featuring mentees Sumi Suddiqa and Joel Rodriguez here.
BPM has a regular column in industry publication Photo Ed magazine. Find back issues featuring mentees Sumi Suddiqa and Joel Rodriguez here.
Together with Toronto Photo Laureate Michèle Pearson Clarke, BPM had our first exhibit - a feature show in the 2022 Scotiabank CONTACT Photo Festival, and part of Doors Open Toronto. Shine On featured work from 15 mentees in a large outdoor exhibit in downtown Toronto's Nathan Philip's Square. Read about it in the Contact guide here or click on the link below, and in the Globe and Mail here.
Together with Toronto Photo Laureate Michèle Pearson Clarke, BPM had our first exhibit - a feature show in the 2022 Scotiabank CONTACT Photo Festival, and part of Doors Open Toronto. Shine On featured work from 15 mentees in a large outdoor exhibit in downtown Toronto's Nathan Philip's Square. Read about it in the Contact guide here or click on the link below, and in the Globe and Mail here.
The photo industry must-read PhotoShelter Blog profiled BPM in the fall of 2021. Read the interview here or click on the link below.
The photo industry must-read PhotoShelter Blog profiled BPM in the fall of 2021. Read the interview here or click on the link below.
BPM founder Heather Morton was interviewed by aphotoeditor.com about the program in October 2021. The article can be found here or click on the link below.
BPM founder Heather Morton was interviewed by aphotoeditor.com about the program in October 2021. The article can be found here or click on the link below.
In the spring of 2021, BPM was the recipient of an Ontario Arts Council grant in partnership with Gallery 44 which has allowed both organizations to provide monetary and matching support to selected mentees and mentors.
In the spring of 2021, BPM was the recipient of an Ontario Arts Council grant in partnership with Gallery 44 which has allowed both organizations to provide monetary and matching support to selected mentees and mentors.
The program was profiled fall of 2020 by Toronto’s Photo Laureate, Michèle Pearson Clarke, in her monthly Toronto Star column. Read about it here or click the link below.
The program was profiled fall of 2020 by Toronto’s Photo Laureate, Michèle Pearson Clarke, in her monthly Toronto Star column. Read about it here or click the link below.
From SCOTIABANK Contact Photo Festival Guide. Image by mentee Hannah Somers.
From aphotoeditor.com, October 19, 2021. Image by mentee Janice Reid.
From PhotoShelter article, November 18, 2021. Images by mentees Craig Bagol and Marybeth De Santos.
From Toronto Star article, September 29, 2020. Image by mentee Sahar Rana.