PACA, the Picture Archive Council of America, is the trade organization in North America that represents the vital interests of stock archives of every size, from individual photographers to large corporations, who license images for commercial reproduction. Founded in 1951, its membership includes over 100 companies in North America and over 50 international members.

Through advocacy, education and communication, PACA strives to foster and protect the interests of the picture archive community. Accordingly, we work to develop useful business standards and promote ethical business practices; actively advocate copyright protection; collect and disseminate timely information; and take an active role in the picture community by building relationships with organizations from related industries.

PACA is also involved with issues affecting the broader community including cooperation and dialog with other national and international professional organizations. PACA is concerned with the important, ongoing legal and legislative affairs relevant to the photo industry. In 2006, PACA was a leading member in the establishment of the Imagery Alliance, a coalition of professional visual arts trade associations formed to advocate and educate for the protection of copyright and related interests.

PACA is fortunate to have as its legal counsel Nancy Wolff, who is a valuable leader in the area of United States copyright. She monitors new laws and court rulings that affect the stock photo industry and provides vital information on legal issues that are important to the business. She created the “Legal Guide”, a complete handbook for running a stock photo archive including all the legal forms, releases, suggested language for contracts and other vital tools, which is provided to all PACA members.

PACA Membership offers many outstanding benefits including its twice-monthly "What's New" newsletter that brings up-to-the-minute industry news, a calendar of events, member press releases and more. This online publication includes current information on copyright, tax, legal and other image licensing business issues. PACA-Talk, an online discussion group, is a convenient way to communicate with other members. This “instant” communication method is a place to ask questions and discuss issues with peers.

The digital revolution has dramatically changed the stock photo industry. PACA ensures that its members have the information necessary to flourish in this new environment. PACA provides its members with many important member resources including the Annual National Meeting and Annual International Conference. These two noteworthy industry events provide opportunities to meet others in the business, discuss important issues, participate in seminars ranging from salesmanship to new technologies, and make connections with potential trade partners and vendors from around the country and the world.

Among the many benefits to PACA members, but most likely the most valuable, is the collegial sharing of information and trends with peers and the security that comes from knowing that they are not alone, but part of a vibrant, growing, and ever-changing professional community.

PACA Code Of Ethics

The Picture Archive Council of America, through its worldwide membership, vigorously supports a standard of business practice that sustains the highest degree of honesty, integrity and fair play with clients, contributing artists, other stock agencies and vendors. PACA has a commitment to the protection of intellectual property and represents the highest quality of images, service and membership support.