Join the PPA...yay or nay?

[Sonny]

Pros, cons, why should, why shouldn't.....?

[snidow]

I joined because they work very hard to protect the copyrights of photographers just to name one reason. There are others that will be more important to those that are wedding photographers, so I'll let them speak up.

[Sonny]

I really have no idea if joining the PPA is right for me. I only do my photography thing on the weekends when time allows.

[JohnT]

Since I'm looking into this myself, I'll be watching this thread closely.

[MRCPix]

as will I thanks for starting it.

[Daniel Bates]

Well, you get access to the PPA's insurance, which is good. You support an organization dedicated to helping photographers, which is good.

I think it's a good idea...

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

Well, you get access to the PPA's insurance, which is good. You support an organization dedicated to helping photographers, which is good.

I think it's a good idea...

You will only be required to pay the premium for the insurance if you claim Portrait or Wedding Photography as your Specialty. What Sonny does would fall more under the Specialty of General Sports Photography and Special Events. If I am not mistaken, neither require the insurance. (Unless you want to claim the other and pay the insurance!)

You can join as aspiring for two years and see if the benefits help you out. It will allow you to join PPGH here in Houston and thus have access to even more sources of information and education.

CJ

[Breezy]

very interesting. I too have been looking into joining

[OversighT]

The answer for me was yes. I'm currently in an aspiring membership since I'm still just getting going and really wanted to know if the organization was for real. I love having access to the indemnity trust. The community of pros is nice to be a part of. Their magazine usually has great articles about running a successful business and they have lots of resources online in their members section.


T.

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by Sonny

Pros, cons, why should, why shouldn't.....?

Sonny,

Here is the link if you need it!

http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=69

Later,
TxmexNitro - Angel

[Clint_Smith]

PPA is a great resource if you need help with business. It also has a great indemnity trust so if you are shooting a wedding and all hell breaks loose and your gear is trashed, they can come to your rescue. I have been very pleased with my investment in PPA....and I have been a member for 4 years now.

[adirty1]

My .02 worth on the PPA
If you want the insurance than great but check out other carries first and see if it's really worth the price. If all you want is insurance you can get it cheaper elsewhere

The degrees offered.
Does that really matter to a client that some group says your have this knowledge. Personally i would rather have a degree that is backed by a 4 year college.

Political.

It is a great way to network if you can find the right pros in your area that are willing to talk to you and let you into their little club. It's not an over night deal you will have to be willing to work at it and then join the guild. That's the plus is that in most cities you have to a PPA member to join the guild and that is where you can really network and meet other pros in your area.

The PPA has it's place. It's not right for me at this time maybe i will join again but at this time i find the TPPA to be more enjoyable.

[Clint_Smith]

The affiliate guilds can be great for newbies.....so much can be learned from the working pros and monthly guest speakers....generally....However I do remember when I first joined our guild we had a speaker that told me I was lazy because I shot in RAW.

That has been one of the weaknesses of some of the older PPA members I have met. Some are so reluctant to change their thinking that they appear "stand off-ish." But they are the minority in the group.

I can truly say that I am where I am business wise today because of my membership in PPA and our local PPA guild/

[Breezy]

Thanks guys I will really consider this. Just need a little more money coming in first lol.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by Clint_Smith

That has been one of the weaknesses of some of the older PPA members I have met. Some are so reluctant to change their thinking that they appear "stand off-ish." But they are the minority in the group.

Clint,

You are exactly right. I am a long time member of PPA and there are alot of people holding on to ways of the past. However, change won't happen until people like you, me, Sonny and others join, become participants and demonstrate that Digital and RAW etc. (just using a couple of items as examples) can work.

It would be horrific to see organizations like the professional guild system in many larger cities dry up and die. It takes alot of work to schedule, follow through on and produce meetings in which quality speakers and educators present in out industry. We need that to further our craft and industry and keep up.

So, become a member and become active, by doing so you will help change take place. By far and large, you will gain from the pros at the guild, no matter their egos and stand off attitudes, just by listening, learning and print competitions.

CJ