professional photography associations

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i have never been a "joiner" and dont belong to anything. but i was wondering if any of you have comments on possible advantages to belonging to one of the professional associations such as PSA, or ASMP or PPA. is there a group dedicated to architectural or industrial photography?

-- jnorman (jnorman@teleport.com), October 02, 2000

Answers

I am not a member now as all I do is fine art photography, but there are advantages to belonging to professional associations. One is assignments, if you are doing commercial work. The associations have reference lists for organizations seeking photographers in your area. The Professional Photographers of America has a commercial section and certification programs in both portrait and commercial divisions which can be helpful in obtaining assignments. I'm sure PSA and ASMP also has reference lists of photographers.

One of the biggest advantages is getting to know other photographers, learning from and teaching them, and keeping up with the latest advances and trends. You can learn a lot by attending the conventions. Why not start with your local photographic associations? There are state associations and most larger cities have one. In my opinion, a commercial photographer can gain from belonging to the associations. It does, in a way, lend credibility to your standing as a professional.

-- Doug Paramore (dougmary@alanet.com), October 02, 2000.


Of the organizations mentioned, I expect you will find that PSA offers less than the others. While full of competent photographers, the organization tends to be cmera clubbish in its orientation; a large format user may find it a lonely place. From experience I have also found that PSA can try to reduce quality and evaluation of work to a set of somewhat dictatorially applied rules. Bob

-- Bob Moulton (bmoulton@icc.cc.il.us), October 02, 2000.

>is there a group dedicated to architectural or industrial photography?

Yes, ASMP has a special interest group in architectural photography. I don't know much about it, because ASMP membership is quite restrictive (at least half of your income must come from photography).

-- Stewart Ethier (s_ethier@parkcity.net), October 03, 2000.


In the northeast (USA), there is a professional orgainization called CIPNE (Commercial and Industrial Photographers of New England). They have quarterly meetings, an annual 2 day conference and some special events. I've found atleast half of the events are interesting. Has it been worth it? Very much so! Because of my affliation, I was told about an out of town client who contacted the organization who was looking for a local architectural photographer. I ended up winning the business, so my yearly dues paid for itself many times over.

-- Larry Huppert (Larry.Huppert@mail.com), October 05, 2000.

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