Getty Images launches female sports photography internship to aid “positive and realistic portrayal”

Getty Images has launched what it says is the first ever female-focused sports photography internship. The initiative aims to support diversity in the field and “contribute to a more positive portrayal of sportswomen in the media”.

The paid internship at Getty Images’ London office is launched in conjunction with the Women’s Sport Trust, Cerno Capital and Canon, in time for National Apprenticeship Week and International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March.

Lasting 12 months, the internship “will give emerging female talent the necessary skills to start a career in the sports imagery industry,” says Getty. They will shadow the picture desk, assignments team and field editors, and learn the business operations behind a career in sports photography, as well as carrying out live photography briefs at high-profile sports events.

This follows the announcement of a wider partnership between Getty Images and Women’s Sport Trust aiming to increase the visibility of female athletes and women’s sport, and challenge the way women are currently portrayed to make it more “balanced” and “realistic”.

“By introducing a different viewpoint we hope to increase a creative portrayal of female athletes, including a broader and more diverse representation,” says Women’s Sport Trust’s Danielle Sellwood. “Long-term, we envision a point where imagery of strong and inspiring female athletes will be seen every day of the year, and that in turn inspires participation and ambition in young women. You can’t be what you can’t see.”

Applications are open until 31 March 2017, and the internship will begin in July 2017.