Written by Thomas McCollum
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 20:25
When we think about where our money goes at the end of each year, one of the choices is membership in our professional associations. For many people, being a member of the Georgia Professional Photographers Association is simply part of being a professional photographer. Others look for the value of belonging to such associations before making their decisions about joining. I am a prime example of just a few of the many benefits of our association.
One example of the benefits that I have reaped is having a group with whom I have a common bond. This year my wife and I met with a group of friends from within the GPPA in Salt Lake City, Utah. From there we photographed in Bryce Canyon, Devil’s Garden, Capitol Reef and Arches National Monument. We took this time to learn from each other about scenic photography and different ways to interpret the same scene. This is the second one of these trips that I have attended. The first trip, to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, garnered me several awards including First Place and Distinguished Awards in the Fine Art Pictorial category, the Peoples Choice Award, and a Kodak Gallery Award at the state level and those same images both merited and one was accepted into the PPA Loan Collection. I don’t think I could have captured those images had I not been in the company of other creative professionals. Spending time with creative artists and talented business people can only help us better achieve our goals.
Another example of the benefits of membership is the many opportunities to further your artistic and business training. Our association currently holds a minimum of four area meetings per area (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest). These meetings have speakers who have given their time to help others by giving presentations and showing examples on given topics. As a member you are entitled to attend all of these meetings at no extra cost. That is sixteen opportunities to learn right there. In addition to those meetings, we also hold a Winter Seminar and a Summer Seminar. These are two day seminars featuring several speakers and a mini-tradeshow so that you have opportunity to see and compare new products or to check out the products you want to talk to someone about before you buy. While these do require a registration fee, they are well worth it for the education you can bring back.
We also hold a week long school every spring. “The Georgia School” is one of the oldest PPA affiliated schools in the country. This is an opportunity to spend a week with some of our industry’s leaders in a small group where you can get one on one attention. You also have the opportunity for hands on experience while learning with these talented speakers. There are also many opportunities to make new friends or get together with old friends after class each day.
We also hold a week long school every spring. “The Georgia School” is one of the oldest PPA affiliated schools in the country. This is an opportunity to spend a week with some of our industry’s leaders in a small group where you can get one on one attention. You also have the opportunity for hands on experience while learning with these talented speakers. There are also many opportunities to make new friends or get together with old friends after class each day.
And then, of course, is our annual convention. By joining the GPPA your registration to the convention is included (as long as you pre-register). The convention lasts five days with a variety of speakers presenting on a variety of subjects, as well as a large tradeshow with a variety of suppliers and service providers. There is also the print judging (typically on the opening day) which is open to the membership. By listening to the judges scoring and debating the merits of the various images displayed before them, you can learn what the judges look for in an image and hopefully impart that into the way you approach creating images for yourself and for your clients.
One final educational opportunity is the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association (SEPPA). Currently, every other year SEPPA holds a convention in Atlanta. Once again, this convention will have many presenters with a variety of topics and a huge tradeshow. The only way to attend the SEPPA convention is to be a member of your state association. Your membership in the GPPA includes your registration to this convention as well (once again, as long as you pre-register). This is the largest photographic event in the southeast.
I regularly attend all of these events. My photography education is more a product of the GPPA than anything else. You will hear many people say that they learn as much or more in between and after programs at these events by talking with other photographic professionals about day to day business than they may learn during a program. Whether you are bouncing ideas off fellow photographers, taking notes during the programs, or just hanging out and listening to colleagues talk, you have boundless opportunities to hone your craft and enhance your business skills by being a part of the GPPA.
One final educational opportunity is the Southeastern Professional Photographers Association (SEPPA). Currently, every other year SEPPA holds a convention in Atlanta. Once again, this convention will have many presenters with a variety of topics and a huge tradeshow. The only way to attend the SEPPA convention is to be a member of your state association. Your membership in the GPPA includes your registration to this convention as well (once again, as long as you pre-register). This is the largest photographic event in the southeast.
I regularly attend all of these events. My photography education is more a product of the GPPA than anything else. You will hear many people say that they learn as much or more in between and after programs at these events by talking with other photographic professionals about day to day business than they may learn during a program. Whether you are bouncing ideas off fellow photographers, taking notes during the programs, or just hanging out and listening to colleagues talk, you have boundless opportunities to hone your craft and enhance your business skills by being a part of the GPPA.
If the educational and fellowship opportunities weren’t enough, you are joining a group of professionals who know the trials of being in business for themselves. If you stumble, you have a resource that you can turn to for information or to try to get help. I am a prime example of this function of our association. In 2002, I suffered a devastating break to my right foot. The injury to my foot required me to be in a cast for three months and to put no weight on it at all. That makes it kind of hard to photograph a wedding, let alone eleven. That could have easily meant the end of my business. I was incapacitated for two weddings and still needed help for the rest of the time I was in the cast. GPPA members made sure I had things covered and helped to get me through the events I shot until I completely recovered. To get this type of benefit, you need to be active in your associations and meet people. You also need to be the type of person who is willing to try to help others when they run into trouble.
In short, by being a member of the Georgia Professional Photographer’s Association I have had the opportunity to learn from some of our industry’s best and brightest, I have met many dear friends, I have been able to bounce ideas and problems off business people I respect, and have been able to turn to experienced photographers when I had a major catastrophe. The awards I have received on the state and national levels are a direct reflection of my activity in the Georgia Professional Photographers Association.
Last Updated on Friday, 19 August 2011 17:58
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