Are you a member of a professional organization?

[JohnT]

For those of you who are either full-time or part-time professional photographers, I am curious to know if you are a member of an organization such as the PPA or other.

[Tom]

I'm in PPA, but will probably drop that. 300+ a year is a lot to pay for a really great magazine.

A member of SportsShooter, if you count that.

Maybe some others. I don't see a lot of value in any of them, though.

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Am a member of my states organization and find alot of value in it. Also a member of
pro4um.com and the Silverlake Fourm.

[Howard Barlow]

Member PPA

[suerenee]

PPA and WPPI

[Ahh!]

TPPA, PPA. The networking and education has been invaluable. Texas School, Conventions, Kerrville, wow!

[princer7]

No memberships yet... need plan first. But would like to know more about which ones have the most value for professional photographers.

[MyKey]

PPA - used to HATE them but was not until I got inside screaming trying to make changes instead of outside screaming (which is useless), I did not see the huge value in them. Well worth the $300 a year if you get involved and use it for the items they offer but not worth it if you just join and do nothing with it.

Speaker Selection Committee for the PPA - 10 people who review, study, meet and select all the speakers for the upcoming Imaging USA convention. (2nd year to be selected by the PPA President to be a part of this committee)

TPPA (Texas PPA) inexpensive and a great way to meet and get to know solid players in the photography world in Texas. Plus their conventions are always fun and the Summer one in Kerrville is VERY family based.

WPPI - A great convention - wonderful people running the event and a solid magazine but thats about it. Its a business and they are into making money (which I would too if I was them) so you can't blame them. For the price the magazine is well worth it.

Several forums other than my home forum which is always wonderful for marketing and connections in the business.


My advice (as if anyone asked) :) is to get involved in what interest you - make a change - it happens SLOWLY (which I learned the hard way recently) but change does come. While I am BY FAR not perfect, in fact over the last few years of major growth in our business growing in so many different directions and personal family health issues (mainly with my daughter with her spinal surgeries) we have had a hard time keeping up, but if it was not for the PPA connections I would have had a much harder time keeping everything together. They are here to help you, they have experienced it all, and someone can understand and assist you in growing your business they way you want it to grow.

[Melany]

Professional Organization? Yes
Air Force Sergeant's Association (AFSA), VFW

Professional Photography Organization? Nope (Unless my Flickr membership counts LOL)

[peeker]

PPA - Initially for Indemnity Trust coverage and education, now finding other resources that I will be taking advantage of in the future (studio management services), discounts on software/equipment, and certification towards master photographer.

In a small business world, you have a choice to either go it alone... or network with those that are willing to help you be successful.

[brad]

Originally Posted by Ahh!

TPPA, PPA. The networking and education has been invaluable. Texas School, Conventions, Kerrville, wow!

Not to mention local guilds.. Fort Worth for me..

Originally Posted by princer7

No memberships yet... need plan first. But would like to know more about which ones have the most value for professional photographers.

I joined them in an odd order... TPPA first, mostly for the convention opportunity being in Arlington.. FWPPA next because I already knew a bunch of people in the guild and they were pestering me to join.. finally PPA because I decided it was time to go after the degrees and pursue the education opportunities at that level.

The biggest thing I gain out of any of them, though: Networking. I have found jobs and gotten much needed help with jobs because of that networking... not to mention ideas and advice gained just visiting with people around the bar at these events... and some really good friends.

Originally Posted by peeker

In a small business world, you have a choice to either go it alone... or network with those that are willing to help you be successful.

Networking is key to survival in any business.

[MyKey]

Originally Posted by brad

Networking is key to survival in any business.

You just stated the most important aspect of everything in this business Brad!

You can hate on everyone and everybody that is newer than you, younger than you and getting to be more successful than you or you can network and share information freely - grow together and support each other through good times and bad. Always question people who talk openly negative towards other photographers, it always hurts the one talking in the long run.

I know without a question if it was not for the friends and networking I have made in both PPA and WPPI we would not be where we are today. Our talents are average but it is not about talent behind the camera (that impresses other photographers which does not pay your bills) its about networking and making your business strong and professional organizations like the PPA do just that. (That impresses your clients which in turn makes you money)

[janikphoto]

Yes. The ASMP has provided so much for me. They are great!

[Ernst-Ulrich Schafer]

Mike, I agree, the networking you can have with anyone of these groups is so valueable.

Been a PPA member, WPPI member and attend their conventions. The classes have been awesome!!! However what has bother me to some degree is it seems that both of these organizations have been dumbing down the industry in some ways. We all know where the money is these days, it's with the new folks coming into the industry and that's where they have been focusing on for the last few years. A prime example is what they are show caseing in their magazines, images that are far from professional quality images. They need to get back to showing quality work, professinal work and not forget those that have been around for many years.

A very good photographer that we both know has been pretty much banned from PPA because he's such a radical, expresses some awesome ideas that would benifit the whole industry but their not interested in listening. And this one photographer gives back to this industry more than any other photographer I know.

[MyKey]

Originally Posted by Ernst-Ulrich Schafer

Mike, I agree, the networking you can have with anyone of these groups is so valueable.

Been a PPA member, WPPI member and attend their conventions. The classes have been awesome!!! However what has bother me to some degree is it seems that both of these organizations have been dumbing down the industry in some ways. We all know where the money is these days, it's with the new folks coming into the industry and that's where they have been focusing on for the last few years. A prime example is what they are show caseing in their magazines, images that are far from professional quality images. They need to get back to showing quality work, professinal work and not forget those that have been around for many years.

A very good photographer that we both know has been pretty much banned from PPA because he's such a radical, expresses some awesome ideas that would benifit the whole industry but their not interested in listening. And this one photographer gives back to this industry more than any other photographer I know.

I agree the magazines are a hit and miss sometimes but remember it is run by magazine editors not photographers so they look at it from different eyes. While I do not agree completely with what they run when talking to them at least I understand where they are coming from and they understand where I am coming from and they are working harder to try and make it a more completely magazine.

If the person I am thinking you are talking about believe me there are two sides to every coin and well when law enforcement gets involved and threats on families are made there are reasons for certain actions. However, with all that said I feel by gones should be by gones and education should come first. There comes and time and a place where someone needs to be the adult and say we both made mistakes and lets start over. I hope the PPA powers do that one day. I know the President in a few years feels the same way I do so hopefully changes will come. I know Gary and Pam Box are speaking this coming year and it has been YEARS since they have so that is a positive change for the better - hopefully it continues.