Finding Images: Photography

VII derives its name from the number of founding photo-journalists who, in September 2001, formed this collectively owned agency. Designed from the outset to be an efficient, technologically enabled distribution hub for some of the world's finest photojournalism, VII has been responsible for creating and relaying to the world many of the images that define the turbulent opening years of the 21st century. Alexandra Boulat, Ron Haviv, Gary Knight, Antonin Kratochvil, Christopher Morris, James Nachtwey and John Stanmeyer were joined in 2004 by Joachim Ladefoged. Marcus Bleasdale and Franco Pagetti joined in November 2007, Stephanie Sinclair became a member in 2009 and Ed Kashi joined in 2010. Together they document conflict - environmental, social and political, both violent and non-violent - to produce an unflinching record of the injustices created and experienced by people caught up in the events they describe.

Started in 1986, VU is known as an "agency of photographers" more than a photographic agency. Its name is the eponym of a famous french magazine of the 20’s which was very innovative in a pictorial sense of way. VU has gradually set a new style and maintained a high level of intelligence and creativity of its authors. The VU team is a think factory on photography’s evolution and its place in the image world. Social, documentary, visual, it’s important to decode the multiple senses of contemporary creation and to question its handling by the media.

Magnum Photos is a photographic co-operative of great diversity and distinction owned by its photographer-members. With powerful individual vision, Magnum photographers chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues and personalities. Through its four editorial offices in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, and a network of fifteen sub-agents, Magnum Photos provides photographs to the press, publishers, advertising, television, galleries and museums across the world.

Panos Pictures is a photo agency specialising in global social issues, driven by the vision and commitment of its photographers and staff. The agency engages in all forms of visual communication producing exhibitions, multimedia and video as well as long-term documentary projects. Not content with merely witnessing, Panos photographers seek out stories that matter with the aim of interpreting rather than simply recording. They are not afraid to take a position on current events or contemporary issues and offer perspectives that challenge commonly held assumptions.

Sipa Press is the foremost photo-press agency in France. From politics and conflicts to high society stories, from entertainment to economics, Sipa Press has all the bases covered, 365 days a year. A staff of photographers, editors and salespersons work at Sipa Press headquarters in Paris. Sipa Inc., based in New-York, ensures production in the United States and licenses Sipa pictures on the American market. Sipa Press's parent company is the German press agency DAPD.