join a professional organization

This evening I was reminded of the importance of professional organizations. I have long been a member of ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). Every other month my local chapter hosts an event called Pints n Pixels, an opportunity for members to share their recent work and a beverage or two. I always leave these gatherings with a renewed enthusiasm for sharing and learning.

Professional organizations like ASMP offer great benefits in addition to a fun night out. Members are instantly networked to others willing to help with questions and professional development. And, collectively, we work to keep each other informed about our ever-changing industry. The national and local organizations are also constantly working to protect our legal interests pertaining to intellectual property and copyright issues. If we don’t work together to protect the value of what we produce and our rights as photographers then who will?

ASMP is comprised primarily of advertising and editorial photographers. Other professional photo groups have their own representative organizations. The ones that come to mind are:

ASMP - advertising / editorial

APA - Advertising Photographers of America - advertising / editorial

PPA - Professional Photographers of America - portrait / wedding / commercial

WPPI - Wedding Photographers International - wedding / portrait

NPPA - National Press Photographers Association - news

If you don’t currently belong to a professional photography organization please take a look around the above websites that might interest you. See for yourself the benefits they offer. Need help with contracts or paperwork? Setting pricing or professional standards? Start finding the answers today.

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