I was really interested to see the Professional Photographers of America on the list of exhibitors at this years Photoplus.  I caught up with Angela Wijesinghe from the PPA last week to find out what they can offer photographers.  If you are at the expo be sure to drop by and see them at stand 960 to find out more.

When was PPA established?

1880

What does it mean to be a member of PPA and what are the benefits to joining?

A PPA member is a photographer who is serious about the art and business of photography. (There are applications, along with descriptions of payment and benefits on PPA.com. ) 

As a member, a photographer has what could be considered a “season ticket” to success. They have access to our resources and benefits—I’ve listed a few below:

  • Indemnification Trust – the industry’s only malpractice protection trust fund, protecting members from alleged negligence on assignment.
  • Studio Management Services – PPA-exclusive financial and accounting experts to help manage your business profitably.
  • Copyright & Government Affairs Staff – team that answers legal and copyright questions and lobbies for photographers’ interests.
  • Professional Photographer Magazine – yearly subscription to the industry’s most trusted publication (also an award-winning magazine).
  • Discounts – on equipment, education, insurance, software, services and other tools of the trade (including Apple discounts and one of the best credit card merchant services discounts in the industry).
  • Find-a-Photographer – online client referral database on the PPA website.
  • Crucial Photography Business Information –PPA Education classes, webinars (including free webinars only for PPA members), and resources for developing your art and business (including a library of online articles and weekly articles on topics for a healthy business).

The ability to network with your peers across the country (and the world) is also a good benefit. 

You can learn more about benefits at www.PPA.com/benefits (and just hover over the Benefits tab to jump to more details).

Are there any specific benefits to stock photographers becoming members?

The Stock Artists Alliance (SAA), is the only photography association dedicated specifically to the needs of professional stock photographers.  The association recently joined the Alliance of Visual Artists, an umbrella group of photographic associations that includes PPA.  Members of SAA receive benefits that are geared towards their business, helping to make them more successful.

One of the most significant, immediate benefits of the merger for stock photographers (and all photographers) is newly acquired strength in numbers for advocacy rights. A long-time active proponent for copyright, SAA can now add to AVA's more aggressive and well-funded lobbying campaign, effectively giving all a greater voice than they had yesterday. Current advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill are focused on securing health care for professional photographers and other small businesses, while constantly spreading the pro-copyright message.  So the increased power is a big benefit for those stock photographers. 

Along with the added influence in Washington, the merger opens up new educational and networking opportunities. SAA members will have access to AVA’s bundle of membership benefits. The addition of SAA will also widen the educational scope of Imaging USA, the first photographic convention and expo of the year, hosted each year by AVA. With today's merger, a slate of classes dedicated specifically to stock photography will be planned for the January 10, 2010, event.

Do you have to be a resident of the US to be a member?

No, although the official name is Professional Photographers of America, it is an international association. We have members from about 54 different countries, and many are represented at our annual Imaging USA event.

Is membership also available to semi-pros and how would a photographer qualify to be classified as professional?

Membership is available for any who are serious about photography. We do have an Aspiring membership, which is only good for 2 years as a new member. It’s good for those who are starting out or who aren’t sure if photography will become their full-time career. After 2 years, though, Aspiring members would either become full Active Professionals or would no longer be members. Aspiring members still have access to most of the educational and business resources/benefits, excluding the online Find-a-Photographer referral database. 

Is there a feeling of community amongst PPA members?

There is a very strong sense of community in PPA. In fact, many members say that Imaging USA, our annual event, is like a family reunion. Many also say that PPA photographers share more than any other group. Members find mentors among one another, and they often feel their fellow members form something like a support group of people who understand the passion they each have for photography. They don’t feel “alone” anymore. Membership gives them access to those who face similar issues and similar loves.

While we are spread across the world, we have many online chances for interaction, including an online OurPPA forum where photographer can share business and marketing questions, along with seeking advice about how to best do a certain shoot. They are peer-led conversations.

Do you have a yearly competition for members?

Yes, there is a yearly photography competition for members. The International Print Competition is a world-renowned photographic competition, and the images are evaluated against a standard of excellence, not against each other. Often members who are entering post their images for critiques on the Our PPA forums, in order to tweak their images one last time before entering the competition. 

http://www.ppa.com/competitions/international.php

Many thanks to Angela, Claire and Christel at PPA for their time.  Deb H