PROFESSIONAL photographers have praised Transport and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown for moving quickly to prevent his Ministry's advertising agency from using an overseas photographer on a local shoot.

The Bermuda Professional Photographers Association (BPPA) called this newspaper last Thursday when it heard that a team from US agency GlobalHue, including its own photographer, was due to fly in last weekend to shoot for the Ministry of Tourism's new advertising campaign.

Tourism Director Cherie Whitter responded to our questions on the matter by saying the shoot had been postponed and local photographers would now get a chance to apply for the work, as is required by Immigration Department rules on photographers' work permits.

Dr. Brown was at an international travel fair in Berlin, when he heard about the controversy.

"The Minister called on the weekend and arranged to meet with us on Monday morning," said a BPPA member, who asked for his name not to be mentioned.

"He told us that the plan to bring in the photographer was a mistake and it happened because GlobalHue is a new agency which didn't know the rules.

"He understands the situation fully. He recognises the importance of Bermudians, who are capable, being given a chance."

He added that Dr. Brown deserved credit for the way he had quashed the controversy.

Dr. Brown said yesterday: "We had a good meeting and I urged them to become more entrepreneurial. I suggested that they arrange to meet with GlobalHue and seek business opportunities.

"We want a positive working relationship with our local photographers."

The BPPA photographer added: "Every time this problem comes up, the chances of getting it resolved depend on how good or how weak the Minister watching over it is.

"Maybe we, as a professional group, should look at forming a registered professional body like architects, so there can be legislation that clearly defines the rules.

"This is a process that is going to continue, because we have nearly 10,000 guest workers on the island and people will always be making a case for why someone from overseas should do a job.

"When people have come in to carry out aerial photography for mapping purposes, we have not stood in their way. When people have come in to carry out specialised medical photography, we have not stood in their way. All we are asking is for the consideration process to be fair and impartial."

Dr. Brown announced in January that GlobalHue had been selected to take on the $13.2-million contract as Tourism's main advertising agency.