Autograph launches photo agency specialising in race and cultural diversity, working with Magnum and Getty

A new photography licensing agency specialising in all aspects of race and cultural diversity has launched in London. Working with Magnum Photos, Getty Images and Africa Media Online, Autograph Media, states its remit as covering “a wide range of subjects, from the abolition of slavery to the recent refugee crisis” as well as images depicting “politics, social justice, music, film, sport, TV and youth culture”.

The agency was founded by former Getty director Steve Blogg and Mark Sealy, director of Autograph ABP, the Association of Black Photographers.

According to the agency there is “a growing demand for high quality images of our culturally diverse society”, which it hopes to cater for. It will focus on images reflecting race and cultural diversity throughout history, including “forgotten images of inspirational people and events that are underrepresented in mainstream media publications. These include Bessie Coleman, who in the 1920s became the first black woman to qualify as a pilot and Claudette Coleman, Rosa Parks’ much-ignored teenage predecessor”.

It will initially serve English-speaking markets including the UK and US.