Master Photographers of Canada

Any pros from Canada registered on here? As I understand it it's a very new site.. they followed me on twitter and I checked it out. I've been having a convo with them about benefits on twitter I was sent this link but can't find much in detail about the details, I may send them an e-mail to clarify but so far it looks interesting

From the look of it it costs just around the same as the PPOC

http://www.mpoc.ca/Mem​bership/Benefits

Not really sure what this achieves...

Cash grab for the benefit of the organisation selling courses.

You pay the membership fee just to wave around that you're a "Master Photographer". Not worth it IMO.

agree with above - cash grab and its a new org looking for legitimacy in Canada...

likely founded by a few photog grads, imo

Tony_Stark wrote in post #17187031
You pay the membership fee just to wave around that you're a "Master Photographer". Not worth it IMO.

If you reach stage 5 you get to call yourself a "Grandmaster". Perfect for when you have a wizard costume and a Halloween party to attend.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #17187052
If you reach stage 5 you get to call yourself a "Grandmaster". Perfect for when you have a wizard costume and a Halloween party to attend.

That is true and I admit I was short-sighted in that...

and what perfect timing since Oct. 31st is just around the bend!

Karl Johnston wrote in post #17186112
.... but so far it looks interesting

What exactly about it looks interesting?
They have nice looking website which is almost totally devoid of actual content.

• There is zero information as to who the people are behind it. Will Sebatiao Salgado be reviewing your portfolio or will it be my Grandmother, fresh back from her latest point n click shoot on Clacton Sands? What is the value of training/awards from someone with less actual experience than you?
  
• They don't even have a postal address on their web site.
  
• In short there is nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a business seeking to make money from your submissions. (Which is fine if the people behind it are actually well qualified/experienced professionals).
  

A couple of years ago I was asked by a prospective client if I was 'accredited' in some way. I told them no, and then tried to explain why these sorts of organizations don't really tell you anything about the photographer who belongs to them. I gave this explanation but then got paranoid and found this particular site ( I think it was the same one ) and wondered if I should join.

Years later and I've never been asked that 'accreditation' question since.

As to whether there other kinds of benefits that make joining worthwhile--I have no idea.

Christopher Steven b wrote in post #17187276
A couple of years ago I was asked by a prospective client if I was 'accredited' in some way. I told them no, and then tried to explain why these sorts of organizations don't really tell you anything about the photographer who belongs to them. I gave this explanation but then got paranoid and found this particular site ( I think it was the same one ) and wondered if I should join.

Years later and I've never been asked that 'accreditation' question since.

As to whether there other kinds of benefits that make joining worthwhile--I have no idea.

I haven't been asked about group accreditation either. I've only been asked if I went to school for photography (I did not).

Would it be of any use or leverage to tell prospective clients that I'm accredited (assuming I earned some level/status from an organization) and then hype this up a bit saying how important it is and tell them to ask other photographers they meet to be sure that they also are accredited?

If your work is good, might this be another competitive advantage if you can make a convincing argument to the prospective couple?

juicedownload wrote in post #17187290
If your work is good, might this be another competitive advantage if you can make a convincing argument to the prospective couple?

If some bogus accreditation (or genuine one) for that matter is what you are trying to sell yourself with you have big problems.

Over here is Australia there is a "professional" body and it makes not a bit of difference to potential clients. Mainly due to the fact that virtually every "accreditation" out there gives out accreditations to people who pay. The only people who push accreditation as being a worthwhile tool for marketing are the organisations who sell the accreditations... i.e. they are really selling memberships to photographers. Most "accredited organisations exist as a means of selling workshops or competitions. Take a look at this page www.facebook.com/AIPPO​fficial and just look at how much of the content is about selling stuff to the photographers who are members to see what I mean.

In the real world there are that many different "accreditations" and "awards" they have been rendered completely irrelevant in the eyes of the public. I even saw a florist the other day with an award for "Best supplier at xxx wedding - floral something or other category". Competition of one entrant (being themselves) which amounted to being nothing more than a participation award where they were the only participant.

Took a look at the site and did not see anything very useful.

Have a lot of questions about the "management" of the accredition process and participants. Don't need another source of directed sales in my inbox either.

I went back to college and took the continuing education classes for photography to catch up on my skills for Photoshop and whatever else. Fun, participation with others, and picked up some useful tips as I am self-taught from the beginning. Input on my pictures were from classmates and instructors who did not have a future interest in selling me something, much more valuable.

Dan Marchant wrote in post #17187272
What exactly about it looks interesting?
They have nice looking website which is almost totally devoid of actual content.

• There is zero information as to who the people are behind it. Will Sebatiao Salgado be reviewing your portfolio or will it be my Grandmother, fresh back from her latest point n click shoot on Clacton Sands? What is the value of training/awards from someone with less actual experience than you?
  
• They don't even have a postal address on their web site.
  
• In short there is nothing to indicate that this is anything more than a business seeking to make money from your submissions. (Which is fine if the people behind it are actually well qualified/experienced professionals).
  

Mostly the discounts/colored benefits columns they have listed on the link in my op. .just heard about them a day ago. I've never met an a credited photographer before or know what goes into the promotion that's any different from what I can do on my own. Definitely runs the risk of a money grab for the reasons listed.

Never really heard of anyone who cares about accreditation either.

What about PPA? Are they like an accreditation institute or is that something different?

Karl Johnston wrote in post #17187926
Mostly the discounts/colored benefits columns they have listed on the link in my op.

Again - absolutely zero details. It's a pretty chart that mentions benefits but provides no details on what they are or of what value.

It's like the "auction" guys who appear to chuck all this great stuff in a bag and ask people to pay not $50, not $30 but just $20. Then when you pay and get to look in the bag you have a half eaten banana and a $5 Chinese knock off Walkman cassette player.

If two weeks from now they announce they can get you a 20% discount on a widely respected photographic insurance package then (and only then) there will be something interesting. As it is my wife is complaining that she can't sleep with all the alarm bells going off and red flags waving.

memoriesoftomorrow wrote in post #17187052
If you reach stage 5 you get to call yourself a "Grandmaster". Perfect for when you have a wizard costume and a Halloween party to attend.

Grandmaster Flash!

Looks like a work in progress in many respects. Searching for photographers you can pick the United States, but the states dropdown populates with Canadian provinces.

On the http://www.mpoc.ca/Abo​ut page, the image is watermarked

http://www.mpoc.ca …er/become-mpoc-member.jpg I'm wondering if Chris licensed the image to them or if he's involved in some way with the organization. His own site lists him as a member.