As the world changes.....

Dear friends of World Portraits!

This is the first newsletter in the new setting of World Portraits. Actually, this is the first newsletter in the new old setting, to be precise!

To refresh your mind...

World Portraits is an old idea of Bas van Beek. The idea got its initial warm support of the Doen Foundation, actually being one of the first publishers of images of World Portraits. The first productions started in October 2002 and were in the committed hands of production manager Cila d’Oliveira and old buddy/photographer Hein van den Heuvel.

Cila, Hein and Bas just started HillCreek Pictures and World Portraits was part of this brand new production company. Bas also went to work as the Managing Director of the ANP Photo department. He took World Portraits with him and made it part of ANP Photo.You all may remember Iris van Rijn, who did fantastic work for World Portraits as the production manager at ANP Photo. Iris lost herself to her new big love, living in the city of Maastricht, so Iris went for Maastricht and left ANP in 2007. Also Bas decided to leave ANP Photo after four very success full years. Deciding to leave was a peace of cake, but then leaving Word Portraits at ANP was a no go. So ANP and Bas came to settlement to buy World Portraits back. From the first of April World Portraits is back in the office space of HillCreek Pictures. Cila and Bas still own HillCreek, Hein backed out in 2006.

Talking about World Portraits now means talking about

• A little bit more than 5000 images;
• All retouched, enhanced and keyworded extensively.
• 3,500 model releases;
• Made in more then 25 countries;
• World Wide distributed by Image Source;
• By 400 agencies World Wide;
• 20 active photographers;
• Thousands of euros already paid to the models world wide
• Continued commitment of the Doen Foundation.

Talking World Portraits for the very near future means talking about;

New productions made (see Egypt of Robin Utrecht)

New productions planned: Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Brazil.

Various proposals in consideration; West Africa, Scandinavia, USA, Japan, etc.

Talking World Portraits for the future means talking about;

• Further funding and branding World Portraits as the first fair trade Photo brand international.
• Book- and exhibitions projects international.
• Co production with international brands.
• Extensive growth of the collection with minimal 5000 images a year.
• Extensive growth of the group of photographers.

And more!

World Portraits Foundation

World Portraits is proud to be supported by the World Portraits Foundation.

But we are even prouder with the members of the board of the Foundation, as they are all well known with the media industry. Their support and combined experience mean a great asset to build en enlarge the brand. Members are;

• Paul Tesselaar (chairman). Former CEO of ANP.
• Carine Gheysen. Producer and responsible for the international coordination of the Novib calendar.
• Sacha de Boer. News Reader of the NOS Jornaal and Photographer.
• Rob de Spa. Group Director of the Wegener Media Cooperation. Former News Director of ANP.
• Rene Kok. Staff member of Niod and editor of various Photo publications.

We would like to thank our former members Jan van Beek, Leo van Grunsven and Friso Jiskoot for their input and their fantastic and committed support.

Celebrate with us

Come to our World Portraits bi annual meet and greet event! Meet the photographers, meet the friends of World Portraits and we would love to introduce you to our board members.

Date: 18 September 2008

Location and time: we will inform you about that as soon as possible

We look forward seeing you soon!