Imaging USA roadtrip!

[PeteQ]

Is there anyone here planning to attend the event in Austin this coming January? It would be fun to see who else from the area in planning to attend and maybe have a get together during the conference.

Pete

[brad]

More info?

[Holly]

You've got to be kidding... After the evacuation from Rita (15.5 hours) the only road trip I will be going on any time soon it to the grocery store.

[PeteQ]

Here's the link...

http://www.imagingusa.org/index.htm

[brad]

I admit, it sounds like fun.. I've been toying with the idea of joining PPA anyway... doubt I'll make it to this convention, though... January is never a good month.

[CaptainTom]

I may be rejoining PPA. I was a member a long time ago...

Does anyone have any thoughts about the current PPA ?????

[adam7731]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

I may be rejoining PPA. I was a member a long time ago...

Does anyone have any thoughts about the current PPA ?????

As a past member I have lots of thoughts on the PPA as a whole.

I have a couple questions for you ask yourself when thinking about the whole PPA experience.
1. Do your customers really know and understand what if any weight comes from being a master in the ppa. I would rather had a college degree or a MFA from a known college.
2. What does the ppa really do for you?
3. Is the insurance that cheap or that good after I pay my dues and all?
4. Is the only thing i am getting from the PPA just a magazine?
5. what kind of photography do you do and is the ppa really the place to be evolved with for your type of photography.


I got those questions from a couple of old photographers that I know and when i really started to think about the questions and even started to ask clients I was surprised by the answers.

Personally it's a very political group that really doesn’t do a whole lot with the money i give them every year or gave them i should say. The insurance isn’t worth it compared to what the wedding photographers Assn have to offer and you don’t have to belong to get the same deal. The only really good group was the professional magazine photographers. However they have gotten just as bad as the PPA.

If you are looking for a way to further your education joining could be worth it. However the TPPA would more worth the investment. I think it's like 80 a year. They have a convention twice a year one for the state and one for the region. They are a good group of folks. Still political but you can get to know other shooters in your area and compete if that's what you want without spending all cash for the PPA. I have merits from years ago but the PPA says since i am not a member or haven’t been if I rejoin my merits don’t count and i have to start over. If you earn something they cant take it away. a college doesn’t come up and say your stupid now give me back the degree.

The TPPA as a really interesting fall seminar coming up in Oct. check it out on their site. I am going plus you don’t have to be a member to attend.

a_

[LoungeLizard]

I couldn't see where it said you had to be a PPA member to register...is that a "pre-req"?

[CaptainTom]

The conference in Autin is open to non ppa members at a higher cost...

[xseption]

Originally Posted by PeteQ

Is there anyone here planning to attend the event in Austin this coming January? It would be fun to see who else from the area in planning to attend and maybe have a get together during the conference.

Pete

I am interested in going. Did you already register?

edd

[PeteQ]

Edd, I haven't registered yet, I just saw this the other day and was trying to get a feel for it. I am almost certain I will go and plan to register sometime in October. I have two projects that I need to nail down before I commit to it as either would overlap the conference.