It was founded in 1973 by the Turkish news photographer and photojournalist Gökşin Sipahioğlu[1] together with American writer Phyllis Springer, concentrating their focus on photojournalism from the beginning.

Sipa Press is a French-based photo agency distributing up to 6,000 news pictures every day to customers in more than 40 countries worldwide.

[2][citation needed] The editorial staff consists of 91 members, and about 600 correspondents contribute to the service.

[citation needed] In July 2011 Sipa Press was taken over by the German DAPD News Agency, the managing director being Heinrich Ollendiek.

[3][4] In October 2012, DAPD filed for insolvency protection, with all six of its subsidiaries declaring bankruptcy.