Professional Photographers of America

Professional Photographers of America is the largest non-profit association for professional photographers in the world. In spite of the name, membership is not limited to America. Currently there are more than 17,500 members in 64 countries.

This organization was formed in April 1880 as the Photographers Association of America, Inc., by members of the Chicago Photographic Association and the National Photographic Association. The name was changed to Professional Photographers of America, Inc. (PPA), in 1958 to distinguish the association from emerging amateur photography organizations. In 1993 the Association moved its headquarters from Chicago to Atlanta.

PPA is an association that seeks to help its members advance their careers by increasing the members’ business acumen as well as broaden their creative range. In fact, their mission is as follows:

The Professional Photographers of America, Inc., a worldwide association, exists to assist its members in achieving their professional, artistic, and fraternal goals; to promote public awareness of the profession; and to advance the making of images in all of its disciplines as an art, a science and a visual recorder of history. For more information, visit [http://www.ppa.com/ www.ppa.com] .

PPA reaches out to its members, the community, and the industry in a variety of ways.

Business Advice: PPA’s [http://www.ppa.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=688 Studio Management Services] (SMS) was designed to help members improve their profitability and long-term financial success. The program was developed as a consulting service that would provide sound business and financial advice.

Business Protection: To help members save time and lessen frustration, PPA has shopped the insurance market and worked with companies to develop policies that cover photographers’ special needs. Such protection includes an All-Risk Equipment Insurance Policy and the unique Indemnification Trust, which helps members facing malpractice situations.

Continuing Education: Year-round educational programs are offered in the form of photographer-led seminars and workshops, affiliate school classes, and specialty conferences (focusing on marketing, finance, etc). [http://events.ppa.com/ Chicks Who Click] , [http://events.ppa.com/ Super Monday] , [http://events.ppa.com/ Make More Money in Photography Conferences] , and [http://events.ppa.com/ Studio Management Services workshops] are just a few of the fun and educational offerings.

Convention and Tradeshow: Imaging USA began in 1884 as the annual convention and trade show for Professional Photographers of America ( [http://www.ppa.com www.ppa.com] ) and is the longest running national photographic convention, expo and image exhibition in the United States. It provides a forum for professionals to network with and to learn from the best photographers in the world. The accompanying tradeshow offers a look at the latest technologies and products available to the professional photographer. In 2006 Imaging USA became home to two new conferences: SEPCON (the Sport and Event Photographers Conference), the annual conference of the Society of Sport and Event Photographers ( [http://www.SEPsociety.com/ www.sepsociety.com] ), and the Commercial Photography Conference, the annual conference of Commercial Photographers International ( [http://www.mycpi.com www.MyCPI.com] ). In 2006, Imaging USA also welcomed Adobe as an official sponsor of the Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for Photographers track. With a 400+ booth industry expo, 65 educational sessions, and the international print exhibition, Imaging USA has established itself as the first major photographic event of the year. For more information, visit [http://www.imagingusa.org www.ImagingUSA.org] .

Copyright Protection: PPA works tirelessly with government agencies and other associations to protect the images created by professional photographers from both willful and negligent violations of federal copyright laws. PPA is also the creator of the Copyright Defense, a grassroots lobbying effort for copyright protection.

Degrees and Certification: PPA offers members the opportunity to gain recognition for excellence through its degree and certification programs. Since 1937, PPA has offered degrees in several specialties, these degrees currently include:

*Master of Photography (M.Photog.)
*Master Artist (M.Artist)
*Master of Electronic Imaging (MEI)
*Photographic Craftsman (Cr. Photog.)

Certification is available to PPA members through the [http://CertifiedPhotographer.com/ Professional Photographic Certification Commission] , the leading certifying body for photographic and other imaging professionals in the world. They currently have over 1,500 professionals that have earned the Certified Professional Photographer credential.

Online Forum: OurPPA.com is a professional community of forums and galleries created and hosted by PPA as a service to professional photographers. Designed to facilitate networking and communication about subjects that interest you, OurPPA.com strives to draw photographers around the globe together. The site is free and open to any professional photographer. Visit [http://www.ourppa.com/ OurPPA.com] for more details.

Publications: PPA publishes "Professional Photographer" magazine, which celebrated its 100th year in 2007. Born in 1907, "Professional Photographer" is now the largest paid circulation magazine in the professional photographic industry and the official publication for Professional Photographers of America. No other magazine offers a more influential presentation of the people, trends, products, and photographs changing and defining the portrait, wedding and commercial photography landscape. Subscriptions are included with PPA membership and are also available to non-members. Visit [http://www.ppmag.com/ www.ppmag.com] for more details.

External links

* [http://www.ppa.com/ Professional Photographers of America website]
* [http://www.certifiedphotographer.com/ Certified Professional Photographer website]
* [http://www.ourppa.com/ OurPPA.com Community Forums website]