Photography Research Institute Carson Endowment

1. Recognition by peers as a professional photographer.

2. Always learning and improving the photography art and craft through a program of continuing education.

3. Must know, acknowledge, and believe that they are in deed a professional photographer.

Professional Recognition

Professional reputation is an asset that enhances the photographer's financial goals.

Awards, prizes, merits, published reviews of your work, published news releases (clippings), photos of you with well-known persons, publication of your work (photography), and so forth provide evidence of professional recognition.

Membership in a professional photographer's association can fulfill the first requirement of being a professional photographer, i.e., recognition by one's peers. Membership in a professional association confers upon the member personal recognition that the member is a professional as recognized by other members of the association (one's peers). The very act of applying for membership in the professional association requires that the prospective member (if truthful) acknowledge and believe that he or she is a professional.

Always Learning and Improving

Most if not all professional associations offer education programs or meetings with the aim of informing you of techniques and methods to improve your professional ability and status.

Opportunities are available in most associations to present your photography for competition judging at various organizational events. At the lowest level of participation, the local association may have monthly meetings at which your work may be reviewed and critiqued by your peers.

Professional association membership is available at all levels of membership. Note, what is meant here are those levels that you can afford. Membership should be selected in level that you can comfortably compete, with at least one membership at a level above that to make you stretch or better your work.

Look on the internet for more information about professional associations.

One last thing about professional associations or organizations, they represent you and your interests even if you're not a member. At one time I didn't believe this. After all, I'm a emancipate and independent photographer going my way and minding my own business. Something happened to the economy in the 1970's that required that the government impose price controls. The Executive Director of the Professional Photographers of America, Inc., was invited to The White House by the President of the United States to be informed of the price control policy. I was not invited. The government demonstrated that I was represented by a professional photographer's association or group. It doesn't matter what you or I think about the matter, the government decides that my best interests are best represented by an association or group. Your interest should be represented by an association or group in which you have access to expressing your opinion. Membership is what gives you that access.

Active membership is even better at giving you access. Make sure you contact the President of the association or group you want to represent you and volunteer your services in one of the committees or groups in the association or group.

Must Know, Acknowledge, and Believe