Women Streetphoto Collective Belgium
Mission Statement
Women Streetphoto Collective Belgium (WSPC BE) is a collective of women street photographers. Our mission is to promote women photographers, foster artistic exchange, and engage with the photography community through various platforms, including social media, exhibitions, and events.
By strengthening visibility through curated content and public showcases, WSPC BE creates opportunities for artistic growth and greater involvement in street photography. We aim to create a diverse, inclusive, and safe space for members to share their work, learn, and grow. Respect, support, solidarity and collaboration are core values, ensuring a dynamic, inspiring and safe environment for all members.
Legal Status
WSPC BE is an informal collective with no legal personality, so it cannot sign contracts or handle finances as an organization. Each member and participant is responsible for their own actions and agreements. During WSPC events, each member and participant is responsible for their own actions. The collective is not liable for any accidents or disputes. Members and participants retain all rights to their work, but agree to grant WSPC BE limited usage rights for collective-related purposes, subject to prior approval and proper credit.
Collective’s Rules
1. The Collective’s name
The Collective's name is Women Streetphoto Collective Belgium.
2. The Collective’s purpose
The purpose of Women Streetphoto Collective Belgium (WSPC BE) is to create a supportive and inclusive platform for women street photographers where they can:
Promote their work: Through exhibitions, social media, and public showcases, WSPC BE aims to give members a wider audience and recognition.
Foster collaboration: By encouraging members and participants to share ideas and participate in collective projects, WSPC BE creates opportunities for creative partnerships.
Engage with the community: Organizing events such as photo walks, workshops, and exhibitions.
Support artistic growth: Providing a space where women photographers can receive feedback, develop their skills, and experiment with new ideas and techniques.
Strengthen visibility: Increasing the visibility of women photographers in a traditionally male-dominated field by organizing high-quality exhibitions and using social media as a platform for showcasing members' work.
Exploring and showcasing the history of women street photographers: Exploring, documenting, and celebrating the history of women street photographers internationally, both past and present, to ensure their contributions to the field are recognized and remembered.
3. Organizational Structure
a. Board
The Board has five Members who manage and decide on the collective’s operations and events.
Decisions are made by a majority vote, with at least three members present. The Board assigns roles (like Social Media Lead or Event Coordinator) based on current needs.The Board meets regularly to oversee activities, events, and member participation.
The Board members serve for a renewable one-year term, from one AGM to the next. For the first year of operations 2025-2026, the five/six founding members of WSPC BE will form the initial Board. If a Board member resigns, the group can appoint a temporary replacement from Active Members.
d. Members
Eligibility: Active membership is for women street photographers who actively participate and contribute to WSPC BE’s activities. Members can be of any nationality, based in Belgium or with considerable relation to Belgium (and would be able to participate in some of WSPC BE’s in person activities).
Responsibilities: Members can vote at the AGM, suggest projects, and help organize events. They may also be part of task forces for specific projects like exhibitions or social media campaigns.
New Members: New members are invited or reviewed by the Board to ensure they are eligible and align with WSPC BE’s mission. [The Board reviews WSPC BE membership in October each year and takes a decision thereon]
Losing Member Status: If Members don’t meet participation requirements, they lose their active status and become Participants.
e. Participants
Participants can join events and activities but do not have voting rights on Annual Meeting.
f. Annual General Meeting (Annual Report, Election of Board, Amendment of Rules)
Date. The Annual Meeting will be held on 8th or close to that date in March, in Brussels, to review the past year and plan future activities.
Communication. The date of the AGM shall be shared with Members via WhatsApp or email three weeks in advance.
Volunteering: Members can volunteer for Board roles by emailing (contact@womenstreetphoto.be) two weeks before the AGM.
Amendments: Proposals to change the Collective’s rules must be emailed to the Board two weeks before the AGM for review by members.
Agenda. The AGM’s agenda will include an annual report, election of new Board members, rule changes (if applicable), reviewing the Collective member’s list and discussion of any other business.
Vote and Quorum: Decisions & voting are made by majority vote. At least 30% of all members must attend the AGM. If quorum isn’t reached after two attempts, the Board will make decisions on behalf of the collective.
Results and Disputes: The results of elections, rule changes, and the annual report will be shared within two weeks. Any disputes regarding elections will be reviewed by the outgoing Board within two weeks.
4. Membership Expectations
Active Participation: Members must take active part in at least 1-2 activities per year (e.g., organizing events, contributing to exhibitions, curating, or engaging on social media).
Examples:
Event Organization: Helping plan or organize events like photo walks or exhibitions.
Curating: Choosing and organizing photos for exhibitions or social media.
Social Media: Contributing to social media content.
Support: Providing logistical or administrative help for the collective.
Inactivity: Members who don’t participate for one year will become Participants. They can still attend events but won’t have voting rights at AGM or be eligible for the Board.
Leaving the Collective: Members can leave at any time by informing the Board via email or written communication.
5. Code of Conduct of Members
WSPC BE relies on mutual respect and ethical behavior from all Members. To ensure a positive and collaborative environment, members must adhere to the following:
Ethical Standards. Members must respect others’ privacy, dignity, and rights, especially in street photography, and comply with all relevant laws, including rules on privacy (GDPR).
Use of Work. Members grant WSPC BE permission to use their work for promotional purposes, subject to prior written approval with proper credit.
Use of AI. As a main rule every photo to be published on the WSPC BE platform must be photo based (not wholly AI generated). Any exceptions must be approved by the Board.
Photography Ethics. Members should photograph responsibly, ensuring their work respects privacy and legal requirements.
Complaints and Disputes. Complaints should be submitted to the Board in writing. The Board will address them within two weeks, ensuring confidentiality throughout the process.
Social Media and Representation. When mentioning WSPC BE on personal platforms Members should align with the collective’s values.
Attribution and Collaboration. Members must attribute work appropriately and resolve any disputes respectfully and transparently.
Consequences of Violations. Violations of this article may result in a review and possible removal from the collective.
6. Website, Instagram & Logo Usage
Platforms. WSPC BE’s official platforms are its Instagram (@womenstreetphotocollectivebe) and website (www.womenstreetphotocollective.be).
Logo Use. The WSPC BE logo may only be used for activities approved by the Board and is featured on Instagram, the website, and official emails. Alteration or unauthorized use is prohibited.
Hashtags. On social media, WSPC BE’s hashtag is: 1) #wspc_be 2) #womenstreetphotocollective_BE 3) #wspc_belgium and 4) #womenstreetphotocollective_belgium
7. Organizational matters
The Board is responsible for maintaining meeting minutes and relevant decisions in a secure and accessible format. Personal data of members, including contact details, shall be stored in compliance with GDPR regulations.
For the first year of the Collective, these rules will be approved by the Board. The rules will be confirmed at the first WSPC BE Annual Meeting in March 2026.