What photo associations or groups are considered the best?

I realize with the advent of the internet, and possibly way before, there are many groups that crop up claiming credibility.

What groups do you consider to be the top in professionalism?

I came across these, any comments?

http://apa-la.org/

http://www.nppa.org/

Thoughts?

How about internationally recognized?

What kind of photography do you do? Editorial/documentary/​PJ? Commercial advertising? Portrait and Wedding? Once you answer that question, you can determine which association(s) would be beneficial to you.

Thanks for the reply. I thought a thread like this would benefit everyone and I wasn't asking specifically for me. Though I would be more in the editorial / doc / freelance / art - --- not wedding. But, I thought a thread discussing the best in each genre would be good.

www.ppa.com Professional Photographers of America. Pretty much the only group that lobbies government for photographers rights and has a great legal team that will back you up (if you are a member).

ASMP for photojournalists. NPPA too, I suppose, but I think ASMP has been around longer and is considerably larger.

WPA for wedding photogs.

PPA I think is less specialized.

NANPA for wildlife photogs.

I've never heard of NPPA before.

There are more, for various specialties. And there are some regional chapters in some of the bigger groups.

I've seen a lot of lobbying done by NANPA.... ASMP, too. It's not just PPA that's busy in D.C. (and elsewhere).

ASMP has a lot of excellent publications, probably the best model release and some of the best contracts, etc., and a large legal assistance arm, too.

For those who see this thread and may be into aviation photography (even in passing), consider joining us at ISAP

International Society For Aviation Photography

amfoto1 wrote in post #11542371
ASMP for photojournalists. NPPA too, I suppose, but I think ASMP has been around longer and is considerably larger.

WPA for wedding photogs.

PPA I think is less specialized.

NANPA for wildlife photogs.

I've never heard of NPPA before.

There are more, for various specialties. And there are some regional chapters in some of the bigger groups.

I've seen a lot of lobbying done by NANPA.... ASMP, too. It's not just PPA that's busy in D.C. (and elsewhere).

ASMP has a lot of excellent publications, probably the best model release and some of the best contracts, etc., and a large legal assistance arm, too.

ASMP is mainly composed of commercial/advertising photographers although it has expanded to other fields. The original name was American Society of Magazine Photographers, now Media Photographers. And you're correct, they have had an active lobby for many years. PPA is mainly portrait/wedding photographers, with tradition of seminars and teaching business practices as well. I'm not sure if Winona still exists but it was the educational arm of PPA.

Most of the photographers I personally know and respect belong to either ASMP (if they're commercial) or PPA (if they're wedding/portrait)--largely because those two organizations are the most effective congressional lobby and have the most effective legal power in support of the industry. They may also belong to other organizations--some even belong to both ASMP and PPA.

PPA is very, very heavy with information on how to run a profitable photographic business, particularly for portrait and wedding photographers. The information they provide as a byproduct of their Studio Management Services (as well as the SMS itself) is invaluable.

RDKirk wrote in post #11542677
Most of the photographers I personally know and respect belong to either ASMP (if they're commercial) or PPA (if they're wedding/portrait)--largely because those two organizations are the most effective congressional lobby and have the most effective legal power in support of the industry. They may also belong to other organizations--some even belong to both ASMP and PPA.

PPA is very, very heavy with information on how to run a profitable photographic business, particularly for portrait and wedding photographers. The information they provide as a byproduct of their Studio Management Services (as well as the SMS itself) is invaluable.

Good advice here.

It took me a year to decide and I recently joined the PPA. As RDKirk said, their information is invaluable. They have a large amount of on line training (webinars) that can be accessed for an additional fee and well worth it. (6 months unlimited access is $99) A lot of great business advice from experienced people who share what has worked for them, and what has not.