The Union of Photojournalists was established in early 2007 as a creative collective of photographers working in the genre of reportage photography in Central Asia and beyond. Today, the Union of Photojournalists is an interregional public organization – a creative union that brings together photojournalists and specialists from various fields of photography and journalism.
The main goal of the Union is the development of domestic photographic art, the protection of copyright, and the legally protected common interests of its members. The Union also actively promotes the achievements of domestic photo artists in the Republic and beyond. We periodically organize nationwide and international photo exhibitions, competitions, festivals, and seminars. We continuously enhance the professional skills of Union members, create the necessary conditions for the realization of their creative potential, and support the training of young photographers and the development of the photography enthusiasts movement.
Union members make considerable efforts to preserve, enhance, and further creatively utilize the photographic heritage of the country – for this purpose, we have created an archive and exhibition fund of works of domestic and foreign photographic art.
The Union of Photojournalists has organized a number of major projects, most of which have been successfully operating for several years. These include the first news information photo agency in Central Asia, “photo.kg” (www.photo.kg), the Central Asian information photo portal (www.photoasia.ru), the project “Kyrgyz National Photo Archive” (www.foto.kg), the most extensive database on the entertainment industry in the Republic (www.gde.kg), the first interactive game among amateur and professional photographers (www.photocross.kg), and an information-analytical website (www.time.kg).
Projects.
www.photo.kg - The only site in the Republic of Kyrgyzstan for reportage and stock photo information “photo.kg”, which is currently one of the most actively developing projects of the Union. The portal is visited daily by up to a thousand visitors. The site features photo reports from the fields of politics, economics, culture, sports, recreation, nature, travel, attractions, and social life in Kyrgyzstan, as well as from the areas of electronic and computer technologies and advertising. A creative team of professional photojournalists promptly fills its pages with event, thematic, reportage, and exclusive photographs.
Regular visitors and subscribers of the site www.photo.kg include representatives of foreign business structures accredited in the Republic, missions of international organizations, domestic and foreign news agencies, and prominent figures in politics, sports, and culture of Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, “photo.kg” is popular among students and youth, residents of several CIS republics, and especially Kyrgyz citizens living abroad.
www.time.kg – an information-analytical website
The goal of creating this resource is to provide prompt, complete, and objective coverage of events in the country and abroad, addressing issues significant for Kyrgyzstan and the world, and analyzing events in the regions. The project is illustrated with a large number of photographs, and in the future, it is planned to include video and audio materials, as well as the retransmission of online TV and radio.
www.aytmatov.com - THE FIRST Russian-language website dedicated to the life and work of the outstanding Kyrgyz writer, a classic of modern world literature, a well-known politician and public figure, and a laureate of many prestigious awards and honorary titles, Chinghiz Torikulovich Aitmatov.
www.gde.kg – a reference resource for the entertainment industry. Where can you relax comfortably and have an exciting time with family and friends? Where are the most picturesque and unique places in Kyrgyzstan? Where can you find the best service, exotic dishes from different countries, and an exquisite interior that satisfies the most refined gourmet? Where in the capital can you have a delicious, quick, and inexpensive lunch? You can find answers to all these questions by visiting the internet portal www.gde.kg. This resource serves as a guidebook for tourists. It is a program of cultural and entertainment life in Kyrgyzstan, providing the most complete and comprehensive information about places for recreation and leisure. Entertainment complexes, theaters, museums, cinemas, art galleries, restaurants, bars, casinos, beauty salons, billiard halls, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues are featured on the site. The most accurate information about resorts and recreation areas located on the shores of Issyk-Kul and in other picturesque corners of the Republic is provided.
www.foto.kg – the “Kyrgyz Photo Archive” project
Do you want to know what Kyrgyzstan looked like half a century ago or even more? Are you interested in seeing the prominent representatives of various historical eras captured in photographs? If so, the first electronic photo archive of Kyrgyzstan has been developed just for you.
The project aims to search for and digitally restore old and rare photographs of the country, creating a visual imprint of the Republic's history, from which an archive of landmarks, people, events, and facts revealing and immortalizing the historical and cultural milestones of Kyrgyzstan is compiled.
Today, the project's collection contains thousands of unique historical photographs reflecting public and family archives, architectural monuments, as well as images of the capital of Kyrgyzstan from the Soviet and earlier periods.
www.photocross.kg – the first interactive city game among photography enthusiasts
Every quarter, the initiative group of the Union of Photojournalists conducts the game “Photocross.” This is a sports-creative game that combines teamwork and a photo contest, where participants not only click the shutter of their cameras but also compete in creative sprinting and creativity.
Photocross is held in many major cities in Russia and abroad and gathers thousands of participants and spectators monthly. According to the organizers' concept, participants must take photographs on assigned themes within six hours. The works are evaluated by a jury consisting of professional photojournalists and recognizable figures of the Republic. Anyone can participate in the competitions – all you need is a camera of any class and to complete a simple registration on the website www.photocross.kg.
