Pro Photographer's Associations

[Karl Johnston]

Are there professional photographer associations available? An association or union or collective of photographers that get together and try to set a standard for professionalism, that sort of thing. I've heard of professional clubs or national associations of photographers, but never really known exactly what the benefit was for joining them.

If you were a working professional photographer, let's say you were looking to get affiliated with more pros in your area or affiliate with an organization or association, where would you look ?

Just curious, I'd think it'd be a nice thing to have, personally. Most other professional fields and careers have their "body" that oversees a certain jurisdiction (Nurses, tradespeople, doctors, lawyers, miners, teachers, etc.) so I was wondering if for photographers there was something similar.

Specifically I'd be looking for a Canadian one, can anyone point me in the right direction or recommend somewhere?

[Karl Johnston]

So...No ?

[Wilt]

Professional Photographers Association (PPA)
Wedding Photographers Association (WPA)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
North America Nature Photographers Association (NANPA)
American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)


Just a few of many

[MJPhotos24]

There's plenty of associations but none really set standards across the board. It's one of those professions anything can go, with the exception of some areas where you have to be part of an association to get a job (schools only pick ones registered with the state or something in some areas - others no).

[USMCWayne]

The NPPA is a great organization.

They hold regional competitions, have workshops, provide great assistance to their members, and have a drop-dead end of year national publication, featuring the best in photojournalism.

When I was a member I really loved the regional publication, as it had a real "local" flavor to it. I believe the various regions also have smaller gatherings, so that you have the opportunity to share and discuss topics with members of the working press in your own neighborhood.

[chauncey]

That lack of standards, that MJ pointed out, has been on ongoing beef with me.
Professionals should have a set of standards...kinda like plumbers and nurses and....

[Wilt]

Certifications are offered by some of the organizations, so that members who meet certain knowledge requirements have a certified membership status rather than an ordinary membership status.

Unfortunately I can hire a hack for a mechanic or tile layer just as easily as I can hire a hack for a photographer. And in spite of the fact that building contractors have licensing, I can relate all too many horror stories from friends and relatives who suffered at the hands of a hack general contractor handling a construction job for them!

[Karl Johnston]

Interesting reads, thank you, I'll look into the NANPA meanwhile.