Trying to navigate the various photographic community partners with all the acronyms needs to be clarified. There are local associations around two of Tennessee's major cities, a state association that covers TN and has many members from surrounding states, and a national association.
Each is an independent organization with separate advantages and separate membership dues. We’ll review these three levels and why you want to join each one.
Local Associations – PPETN & PPMT
There are presently two local associations.
The first, PPETN is centered around Knoxville and services the eastern part of the state called the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee.
The second organization is the Professional Photographers of Middle Tennessee (PPMT) which centers around Nashville and serves the central part of the state.
These local organizations typically have monthly meetings with a variety of regional speakers. Historically, there are also four national speakers that come through a circuit of cities throughout the region.
Beyond the speakers, there is no other association easier to build strong relationships with other photographers in your market month after month.
If you are wondering why it's important to build strong relationships with other photographers in your market, consider this:
- You get sick and need a replacement photographer
- You need to borrow equipment because you don’t have it or it broke
- Getting and giving referrals to genres of photography you or the other photographer don't do
- Talk about the business and marketing sides of your business
The fees of these organizations are the lowest of the organizations but they also require the most effort on your part to get the most out of it.
State Associations – TNPPA
We have a state association with members throughout the region called Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA).
This group has weekend events in the spring and fall. These weekend events have regional and national speakers as well.
The state association is a great way to get to know many photographers quickly as you are immersed with them for a compact amount of time, and the group size isn’t overwhelming.
The relationships you develop here differ from those at the local associations.
They are further away, so equipment borrowing rarely happens, but referrals and more shop talk happen.
If you are talking to a photographer doing what you do locally, they are less willing to help you with marketing as you might start doing the same thing and possibly diluting their market share.
People from the state association are in different markets, so they are more willing to share anything they know…especially marketing.
National Association – PPA
The national association is the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
There are many other national organizations, but these three have community partnerships, although, again, they are separate organizations.
PPA hosts Imaging USA, a one-half-week national convention. Imaging has multiple speakers happening all the time, a large trade show, and a host of other entertaining and informative events.
Here in Tennessee, we are lucky that Imaging is held in TN approximately once every three years. In fact, the 2023 Imaging was held at Gaylord Opryland.
Usually, another Imaging will be held close by in the region. 2024's convention will be held in our neighboring state of Kentucky.
These events are great for bringing people, but it is so massive that it is easier to build personal relationships with little effort. It can be done and has great rewards as you can find people doing exactly what you do, similar to how you are doing it.
They can give you ideas that you’ve never even thought about.
PPA also includes equipment and general liability insurance for photographers. And, offers a lot of continuing education opportunities like free webinars, earning certifications or degrees.
This organization has the most benefit without putting in the effort but has a lot more to gain with your effort.
In Closing
I’m a member of all three levels and can’t imagine what my business would be like without their support.
The education I received has made me a better photographer and more confident in my photography and business skills.
If you are considering joining an organization, it would be my suggestion to reach out to someone involved at each level and ask what they think.
Once you decide which one(s) you will join, ask everyone you meet how to get the most out of the organization.
You will find, just like everything else in life, that you’ll get out of it what you put into it.
And a quick pro-tip, volunteer, and you’ll get to know people quicker, hang out with the most giving people in the organization, and reap the benefits even quicker.
I hope to see you at one of these associations soon.
About the Author: Colby McLemore
Colby McLemore is the owner and visual storyteller of Colby’s Photos & Videos. He is a full-time professional whose work revolves around advertising photography and videography for companies and individuals. He is known for his caring, fun, and easy-going demeanor and for being professional, customer-oriented, and detailed-oriented. His work is often described as creative, clean, and fresh.
He has received many accolades, including the Knoxville News Sentinel’s Readers Choice award as Best Photographer and Cityview’s Best of the Best photographer, for years in a row. He is most proud of the awards given to him by his professional peers, including being inducted into the Tennessee Photographers Hall of Fame and being in Tennessee’s Top Ten Professional Photographers numerous years in a row.
Colby is known for his selfless giving to the entire photographic community, doing presentations and workshops for enthusiast groups and professional photography organizations throughout the US and, more recently, internationally. He was an instructor at UT’s Photography Certificate program for over seven years.
To learn more about Colby and to see examples of his work, visit his website at www.colbysphotosvideos.com.
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