CAMIP was established as a Limited Company in January 1990 to establish a voluntary register of and for medical illustrators as a collaborative between the relevant Professional Bodies – BIPP, BOPA (later renamed OIA), IMI and MAA.

Each of the Professional Bodies nominated three persons to represent their organisation and these persons automatically became the registered Directors.  

A  number of Advisory Members to the Board of Registration were also appointed, their brief being to help by supporting CAMIP’s aims and objectives.  

Broadly the Company’s objectives are “ to promote and encourage the practice of medical illustration (in the form of photography, drawing, painting, film,  television and sound broadcasting and recording and similar illustrative arts and  technologies)”.  

As of September 2008, the Register included 456 medical illustrators. 

In 2003, the Ophthalmic Imaging Association withdrew as a subscribing body to CAMIP as a result of its decision to seek State Registration for Ophthalmic Photographers via the Association of Ophthalmic Science Practitioners. 

Clinical Photographers who undertake occasional or sessional ophthalmic photography are advised that registration with CAMIP is probably the most suitable option.  Those who are full time ophthalmic photographers and who undertake little or no general clinical photography are advised to seek registration via the OIA/AOSP route.