By Tata Rossi 24 days ago, Professional photography
Regardless of whether you’re an aspiring photographer or an experienced professional, becoming a part of one of the photography associations presented below can do wonders for networking with fellow artists, expanding your business, and establishing a credible reputation.
Photography often tends to feel like a lonely job and some people can struggle finding new inspiration or work-related connections. To make this task easier for you, I’ve put together a curated rundown of the most enticing associations recommended by our photographers you can find online.
Training, collaboration, and support from professional photographers
Founded: 1880
Members: 35,000
Membership price: from $15.67/mo
This organization is the biggest association in the world for photographers today. It consists of a society of professionals who constantly share knowledge to grow and evolve as both artists and businesspeople.
The PPA began as a group of several photographers who wanted to discuss different photography topics and share ideas while fighting for the popularization of photography in the XIX century.
Everyone who aspires to receive a stable income from photography should think about joining PPA. In addition to the obvious benefits, you also get a lot of extra pleasant bonuses. These include discounts on goods and services provided by the association’s partners, access to all available training resources, the ability to interact with other members on photography forums, and so on.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Large selection of educational programs, contests, and networking opportunities
Founded: 1934
Members: 5,000
Membership price: from $35/year
Another world-known organization that creates the foundation for developing your photography skills and advertising your services in the United States is the Photographic Society of America or simply PSA.
It offers various services and photography classes to bring more attention to the art of photography and promotes creativity by holding competitions, organizing study groups, creating free online photography courses, offering professional photography tutorials, and much more.
The most important benefit provided by the PSA is quality education, which enables all members to develop skills, broaden their horizons, and, ultimately, apply for the best professional photographer positions in America.
All members can visit conferences or local events, subscribe to Picture Professional magazines, and get advice from other photographers. Another important advantage is the deep connections you can establish within the community.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Upholds the highest quality of visual journalism
Founded: 1949
Members: 5,000
Membership price: from $3/mo
The National Press Photographers Association is a sort of club that deals with everything related to visual journalism. It’s dedicated to supporting photographers, videographers, and editors involved in visual storytelling. Regardless of whether you’re an experienced professional or a student who's still in college, you can get a lot of mileage out of signing up for this association.
NPPA is a dependable supporter of visual journalists' rights, ensuring you can do your job without worrying about your safety or freedom. It also organizes contests that allow you to get recognized for your work. Additionally, you can participate in workshops and seminars to further develop your photography skills and keep up with current trends.
Another reason to join NPPA is to allow you to share your ideas with other creators while also getting inspired by their stories. You’ll enter a huge network of professionals who know how challenging and rewarding it is to experiment with different photojournalism ideas. You’re bound to find new friends, tutors, and possibly even your next job.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
World-famous association of the most prominent photographers
Founded: 1944
Members: 4,000+
Membership price: from $25/year
The American Society of Media Photographers, or ASMP, is another great option if you’re a US-based photographer. This association primarily works with professionals who work with magazines, ad companies, and other published media.
If you’re a freelance photographer, a membership at this organization can help you get the legal protection you need to secure your copyrights and contracts. Additionally, you can benefit from a large selection of templates and tools for running your photography business more efficiently.
This association also hosts workshops and conferences to ensure you’re staying in top shape. When visiting them, you can establish connections with other photographers, find inspiration for future projects, and get leads on new clients.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Oldest and most respected association in New York
Founded: 1915
Members: 375
Membership price: from $40/year
New York Press Photographers Association was founded as an organization of photographers, the main purpose of which was to collect and exchange information with other photographers from New York, who are shooting photos for prints. More than a century has passed since then, but the organization still exists, even if its direction has shifted over time.
Nowadays, the association sponsors diverse educational projects, accredits photographic organizations, and hosts several annual events.
The organization has a wide range of partners that offer a large number of excellent bonuses, including significant discounts for their services and goods. The NYPPA also organizes offline activities with free admission. In addition, you can participate in annual competitions, which allow you to win even greater prizes.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
America’s main non-profit supporter of commercial photographers
Founded: 1981
Members: 159
Membership price: from $50/year
The New York APA branch is a part of the leading US organization that is dedicated to spreading the popularity of photography. This organization is primarily focused on hosting diverse events, which include cognitive photography workshops, lecture materials of different levels, exhibitions, and field excursions.
The main goal of this association is the cultivation of active, creative, and most importantly professional photographers who will be able to keep up with the trends of our ever-changing world.
The membership benefits cover all aspects of typical photographer activities, from various training events, seminars, and workshops to discounts on purchases from the organization’s partners.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Massive research movement aimed at restoring the prestige of portraits
Founded: 1998
Members: 2,750+
Membership price: from $75/year
This organization promotes the importance of education in the world of photography and independently conducts a large number of educational events. Nowadays, it's one of the most popular associations in the United States focused on portrait photography, as its members are known all around the world.
Memberships are divided into several levels, each of which offers different privileges. However, there is also a basic set of benefits that are received by all members of the organization, regardless of the size of their membership fee.
These include subscriptions to two international journals and the opportunity to be printed in them, curator support in your region, and the opportunity to receive a discount on entrance tickets to events held by the organization.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Among the most highly respected photography associations in the world
Founded: 1968
Members: 5,000+
Membership price: from £38/year
The Association of Photographers, or AOP, is a safe space for both experienced and beginner photographers within the United Kingdom and outside the country. It exists to support, advertise, and inspire its members.
If you sign up for a membership, you’ll get to champion your professional position. You can receive accreditation, legal support, and professional guidance to better navigate the landscape of commercial photography. Moreover, you can benefit from various educational materials like photo editing workshops and lectures, to hone your skills and keep up with current trends.
AOP has a lively community and a useful site that allows you to reach out to specific photographer groups based on their preferred genre, collaborating with them and trying to find new clients. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or like-minded friends, you’re bound to find what you need here.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Founder of the Photographic Forum, which is open to members
Founded: 1988
Members: 4,000+
Membership price: from £6.25/mo
This is one of the biggest organizations related to wedding and portrait photography in the world. The association was founded not so long ago, but it has already become very popular among aspiring photographers in the United Kingdom. After all, it offers an excellent chance to become a part of a big family of like-minded individuals.
The organization provides its members with a huge number of pleasant bonuses, from a website page, which allows customers to easily find them, to support with getting published in a photography magazine.
In addition, it hosts a wide range of public conferences, workshops, and exhibitions that take place not only in London, but in other parts of the country as well, while also being among the best free photography associations if you’re interested in entering competitions without an entry fee.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Huge number of various contests and competitions among the members
Founded: 1988
Members: 2,800+
Membership price: from £6.25/mo
SIFGP has grown from a small organization and evolved into a major international network for active fashion photographers, opening its doors to more than 2,800 participants.
Such success became possible thanks to an active policy of recruiting new participants, which helped increase the popularity of fashion photography and explore new ideas and techniques related to this genre.
Membership in this organization gives you a lot of opportunities, which include access to a variety of lectures, workshops, and other educational events, reasonable critique of your work, the opportunity to get discounts from the organization’s partners, publications in established magazines, and networking with professionals.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Huge number of various contests and competitions among the members
Founded: 1962
Members: 1,500+
Membership price: from $89.00
This organization was established in South Australia to provide support and guidance to the professional photographers who live there. It exists in the form of an umbrella institution that consists of brunch clubs and groups across the region.
South Australia Photographic Federation helps photographers of all levels to develop their skills. It controls and coordinates its affiliated structures, provides necessary photography tips, holds classes, and does everything possible to draw attention to the art of photography.
It offers a great selection of clubs you can join, so think before choosing any. Some of them offer lots of amusing activities, a chance to meet interesting people and just enjoy your time. Others are focused on practical product photography classes and other genres, lectures about professional photography equipment, tutorials, and so on.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Own an international organization, which supports its members worlwide
Founded: 1946
Members: 1,000+
Membership price: from $56 per year
This famous organization does its best to evolve and promote photography in all forms, enabling photographers to find fellow artists for exchanging opinions and sharing knowledge, and helping amateurs to get proper education and perfect their skills.
Every year PPOC organizes photography competitions known as the PPOC National Convention to choose the best image taken in the country during the year. PPOC has a rich history and counts many globally known photographers among its members.
The doors of the organization are opened to photographers of all genres and styles. The only requirement – is to be in love with your profession. All the members get a chance to meet new friends and find influential sponsors, exchange their knowledge, and learn something new while participating in popular competitions, photography challenges and earning awards.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Only organization of its kind in the world
Founded: 1999
Members: 100+
Membership price: by request
The focus of the Professional Garden Photographers' Association is obvious from its name. This UK-located organization is dedicated to the activity of professional photographers, who are engaged in plants and garden photography ideas. In fact, the Professional Garden Photographers' Association is a semi-governing part of the Garden Media Guild.
Nowadays, PGPA has more than 100 members and continues attracting talented photographers from all parts of the world. Every member can benefit not only from educational resources (professional photography studios, classes, tutorials), but from lavish saving discounts, free access to events and meetings, and other advantages as well.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Offers a chance to find a new job with this organization
Founded: 1997
Members: 200+
Membership price: from $100
Freelance editors and other journalism-related people often fail to find their way into the media world. All positions are usually occupied by the representatives of huge newspapers, radio, and TV stations. Many organizations don’t treat freelance workers seriously, as membership presupposes full-time employment.
The International Association of Press Photographers has a different approach to this problem. The organization provides all employees with equal chances to get the job since they understand that many freelancers show even better results than full-time workers do.
People, who can set their own schedule and choose their location, often demonstrate creative solutions to ordinary tasks. An organization like IAPP equalizes the chances of all employees and allows photography freelancers to earn good money for their work.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Community of top-quality professionals and Pulitzer Prize winners
Founded: 2002
Members: 300+
Membership price: from $5/mo
Wedding Photojournalist Association or simply WPJA is a trusted institution, whose services are available for all couples, who would like to immortalize the sweet memories of their special day.
The WPJA looks for talented professional wedding photographers, who have experience working in specialized photography magazines, are willing to show their creative approach, and are ready to handle diverse tasks around the world.
WPJA guarantees the most lavish benefits to its members, such as an individual profile, links to your personal site (great advertising), an online regional directory, a few free additional listings for other regions with pre-defined wedding locations, and participation in relevant competitions.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Offers constant support and help in mastering your skills
Founded: 2001
Members: 100+
Membership price: from $75
The Association of Independent Architectural Photographers is an online trading organization that was created to promote architectural photographers. The AIAP strives to educate the members to attract more clients to their work and, thereby, increase the salary of professional photographers.
Every member has free access to the AIAP online directory and gets credentialed membership to the most famous organizations engaged in architectural photography. Additionally, AIAP offers special prices for a vast majority of relevant products.
Lastly, every member can exchange ideas in AIAP groups on social networks and collaborate with architectural companies from many different countries.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Regular meetings for community members
Founded: 1953
Members: 3,000+
Membership price: from $55
The main purpose of this club is to help all members develop their skills, promote their service, and provide professional support. Photographers can exchange their ideas, and photography tips, and help each other learn. The PSNZ offers a chance to capitalize on relevant opportunities to reveal the full potential of each member.
PSNZ members can access permanent training seminars and lectures at a discounted price, participate in international competitions, and leverage professional photography tutorials.
Each member of the club can publish their work in the society’s annual publication and exhibit their photos at the yearly international and regional exhibitions, as well as during various online photography contests.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Largest photography organization in Europe with the most famous photographers
Founded: 1999
Members: 50,000+
Membership price: from €70
FEP consists of 29 countries, namely the United Kingdom, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Austria, and other European countries. This federation includes more than 50,000 photographers with different professional skills. Moreover, the federation was created by QEP, which consists of more than 400 of the best professional photographers in Europe.
FEP members receive personalized guidance from fellow professionals, can participate in contests, and have their work featured in the Professional Imagemaker magazine, as well as visit the London photographic convention.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Over 300 events a year
Founded: 2010
Members: 1,000+
Membership price: by request
A group of enthusiastic photographers and academics in Cyprus came up with the idea of an international conference dedicated to photography as a whole and its significance and influence on society. After two successful ICPT conferences, the International Association of Photography and Theory (IAPT) was officially founded.
It functions as a non-commercial, academic-oriented establishment that guides ICPT conferences that are held every two years. The founders of the IAPT viewed it as an association that grants in-depth insight into photography by leveraging classes and modern techniques.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Over 300 annual events
Founded: 1950
Members: 3,000+
Membership price: by request
The Fédération Internationale de l'Art Photographique, or FIAP, is a welcoming hub for photographers from all over the world. You can’t directly apply as an individual member unless you’re a part of your national photography association.
Even though such a requirement is quite demanding, the benefits you get from joining the FIAP are very impressive. You get to network with experienced photographers from all over the globe, learning more about their work and techniques while sharing your own passion in the process.
FIAP represents a colorful global community that comes together for events and contests, allowing all members to share their work and receive more recognition. Such gatherings are the perfect opportunities to connect with like-minded photographers, find photography inspiration, and hone your skills while learning from the best artists in the world.
Photographer Membership Advantages:
Any photographer, whether they’re a beginner or experienced professional, knows how rewarding it is to create visual masterpieces that can stand the test of time, but going through such a journey alone can sometimes feel rather limiting.
Thankfully, by simply applying for a photography association free membership you can unlock new opportunities for honing your skills, finding new clients, and networking with fellow photographers. If you’re still on the fence, consider these benefits of joining a photography association.
Become a part of a supportive community. The profession of a photographer can feel quite lonely sometimes. By joining an association, you can instantly meet like-minded people who see the world similarly to you. Additionally, you can participate in discussions, share your photos and receive reasonable critique, establish friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.
Develop your professional skills. Associations frequently organize workshops, and seminars, and post online resources created by experienced masters of their craft. These educational opportunities allow you to improve your technical skills, try out new photography techniques, and keep up with recently introduced gear and software.
Showcase your work to a wider audience. Some photography associations allow you to display your work at exhibitions, in magazines, or in online galleries. Such exposure is important for getting your name out there, meeting potential customers, and strengthening your brand.
Keep up with trends and find inspiration. Organizations typically offer easy access to professional publications, web forums, and prestigious events. Keeping up with them allows you to stay in touch with all the relevant news, trends, and techniques that can be useful for developing your career.
Take advantage of exclusive perks. Many associations provide you with discounts on photography gear, software, printing services, or photography insurance. If your association has a lot of partners, you can save a lot of money in the long run.
Protect your rights. Some organizations take an active stance when it comes to defending photographer rights and interests. They strive to ensure proper financial compensation, ethical work conditions, and access to essential resources.
Benefit from valuable guidance. A large percentage of photography associations provide mentorship programs that allow you to collaborate with professional photographers who provide guidance, tips, and unique insights that can help you grow as a professional and an artist.
