PPA membership?

[zoe08]

I was talking to my teacher telling him how I want to start a small studio after I get out of school. He said a good thing would be to join PPA because the magazine has ads for labs and stuff. He said I should join as a student because it is cheaper. I looked on the PPA website and didn't find how much it costs to be a member. I was wondering how much it costs? And how important is it to be a member of the PPA as a small studio owner?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Being a member of PPA or TPPA (Texas chapter) helps build credence for your business.
I think your teacher was thinking about the aspiring rate http://www.ppa.com/files/public/mem_app.pdf

Nice thing with the full rate are some of the insurance that comes along with membership, also entry into the annual convention which next year will be in Tampa Florida I believe is included or there is a discounted rate (per conversation with a PPA rep at the Texas PPA convention this past weekend).

[Gateruner]

What exactly does the malpractice insurance cover and how much does it pay out in the event of a problem?

[HotHolly]

The PPA gives you access to health insurance, legal aid, and a bunch of other stuff. We were members of the WPPI and PPA. The PPA was the best money spent.

The PPA also automatically covers your butt if you mess up a wedding (indemnification insurance): equipment malfunction, lens cracks, your car breaks down and you never get there. To cover a ladder falling on someone, or the bride tripping on your cords, you need the additional coverage (liability).

The PPA is the only place I'm aware of to get the indemnification coverage.

[brad]

I got the indemnification insurance (as well as the other biz insurances) through Hill and Usher without joining either WPPI or PPA... you don't have to have a membership to get insurance.

Who underwrites their health insurance? What kind of rates are you getting?


Edit:
As an interesting side note, it appears I cannot join PPA because I am already carrying malpractice insurance and have no desire to pay for that coverage again... but as a portrait/wedding specialist, I cannot join PPA without taking out *their* malpractice insurance.

[CobyPhoto]

Kalee,

All of the above are true. If you join as Aspiring, You can still take advantage of the indemnification insurance PPA offers. It is just a break that PPA offers new members in order to promote membership, without breaking the bank. I know a couple of photographers that the indemnification insurance has saved over the years. Not for an action on their part, but due to equipment failure. (Shutter sync broken and he didn't find out until the film was processed.) PPA indemnification insurance paid to re-do that wedding and shoot the couple's photos over. (I would like to see an independent malpractice/indemnification insurance do that for only 327.00 a year.) So the photographer invovled saved face as well as the wedding. Independent malpractice/indemnification insurance would probably just pay off the contract amount and that is the end of the story.

PPA indemnification insurance is probably more specific (for a photographer) and more economical through PPA. 327.00 (Active) is darn cheap for membership, insurance and magazine. I carry other comprehensive liability insurance as well and insurance through PPA's vendor Marsh for equipment as well. These are just a few of the other costs that you will encounter in setting up in business.

Insurance aside, PPA & TPPA are invaluable sources of information and networking for professional photograhers. Texas School, Annual seminars and workshops, Expo, competition, etc. are just a few. Sources of continuing education in this industry are limited and PPA, TPPA and local guilds are one the best sources of access to this.

If you plan to pursue this as a legitimate "for economical benefit" business, then PPA is a wise choice.

CJ

[zoe08]

So is it $327 a year? Do you have to pay it all at one time?

[CobyPhoto]

No, there is an installment option available. I do think it is an automatic debit from a credit card thou.

I think you would be an aspiring member, to start. That is only like 194.00 or 13.00 month. (Includes the indemnification)

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Originally Posted by zoe08

So is it $327 a year? Do you have to pay it all at one time?

Look at link posted above!

[zoe08]

It wouldnt load the link. It said done, but was a blank page.

[bondarnes]

Kalee, since you are in Lubbock I would suggest you start with the South Plains Professional Photographers Association. http://www.spppa.com/. because they have a very active group and they meet once a month. You might even find a mentor in their group. Your next step should be joining Texas PPA because it will better fit your budget and their three annual events are not always a plane ride away even from Lubbock. When you are ready then you should also join PPA. All three associations are great resources for you, but you learned to crawl first, then to walk, then to run. PPA is for those ready to run.

[brad]

Don -- did you see my comment above re: indemnification insurance from a third party... does that mean I can't join PPA unless I'm willing to double up my coverage?

[HotHolly]

Brad - Is the coverage via the broker that much better than the PPA? I'm not sure why not go with PPA and drop the broker - unless they just beat the PPAs pants off.

The PPAs health insurance and liability insurance was also good. Their health insurance is underwritten by MARSH.

[brad]

My insurance currently includes indemnity (errors and omissions), liability, equipment, renter (for the studio space), vehicle (for occasional business use), and a couple other things that aren't coming to me right now... and all of that for about $170 a year... so no, I don't think PPA's insurance beats that.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by brad

My insurance currently includes indemnity (errors and omissions), liability, equipment, renter (for the studio space), vehicle (for occasional business use), and a couple other things that aren't coming to me right now... and all of that for about $170 a year... so no, I don't think PPA's insurance beats that.

Can I be nosy? What are your limits and coverage? And is it replacement cost or actual value? And what's his phone number?