Professional Groups
This is a selection of professional organizations related to photography. Joining a professional organization adds to your professional knowledge (most offer continuing education and development opportunities), allows you to network in the field, and shows future employers you are engaged in the professional community.
Most offer discounted student rates.
Why Get Involved?
- Expand your network: Make new connections with professionals who can hire or refer work to you. Participating in an organization should provide you with many opportunities to connect with professionals on a local, regional, national, and sometimes global level. Participating in special interest groups, sections, or discussion boards sponsored by an organization is another way to connect with people who are likeminded and/or working in the same niche you are.
- Boost your credibility and visibility: Being actively involved in your professional community can boost your credibility among your peers, your clients, and your prospects. Associations generally look to their members to share their unique expertise and their connections through their participation in the organization. Raise your hand for a leadership role to not only develop your skills as a leader but also to boost increase your visibility. Relating to other professionals who share common interests is a great way to strengthen your reputation.
- Professional development: Join a professional organization that directly aligns with your interests. Organizations often offer articles, webinars, reports, white papers, courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, and certifications to keep their members current on the latest industry research, innovations, and trends.
- Mentorship opportunities: Finding professionals—junior and senior—who can support your growth is a huge benefit in joining a professional association. There are also meaningful rewards in mentoring others, including honing your leadership abilities, learning new perspectives and insights, and feeling a sense of contribution.
- Build a support system: Making connections outside of your school who understand your circumstances and can offer guidance and insight is one of the most important reasons to join a professional organization. Strong bonds within professional organizations will improve your career opportunities, will help you garner more influence, and most importantly, will make work and life more fun.
Best practice: Don’t wait until you are in need to build your support system. Make the investment into developing authentic relationships early to build a network of advocates who want to see you succeed and are happy to help as needs arise.
- American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP)ASMP is one of the leading trade organizations promoting the art and business of photography.
- Black Women Photographers"Established in July 2020 by Polly Irungu, Black Women Photographers (BWP) is a global community, directory, and hub of over 2,000 Black women and non-binary identifying photographers, spanning over 60+ countries and 35+ U.S. states. "
- National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)"The National Press Photographers Association is dedicated to the advancement of visual journalism – its creation, practice, training, editing and distribution – in all news media and works to promote its role as a vital public service."
- North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA)The mission of NANPA is to "promote the art and science of nature photography as a medium of communication, nature appreciation, and environmental protection."
- Photographic Society of America (PSA) WorldwideThe PSA is "a world-wide organization providing abundant resources for photographers, from the novice to the professional. PSA offers online learning, webinars, study groups, competitions, mentors and consultants. "
- Photography Network (PN)"Photography Network fosters discussion, research, and new approaches to the study and practice of photography in its relation to art, culture, society, and history."
- Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA)The PAVA "is dedicated to the advancement of education for the establishment of the highest professional standards in the visual arts."
- Professional Photographers of America (PPA)Mission Statement: to create a vibrant community of successful professional photographers by providing education, resources and industry standards of excellence.
- The Royal Photographic SocietyLocated in the UK and founded in 1853, their mission is to "bring inspiration, creativity and connection, through photography, to people of all ages and backgrounds."
- Society for Photographic Education (SPE)SPE is a "forum for fostering understanding of photography in all its forms and related media. SPE engages its worldwide membership and affiliated communities through a range of supportive platforms including conferences, events, and publications."
- University Photographers' Association of America (UPAA)"The UPAA is an international organization of college and university photographers dedicated to the application and practice of photography as it relates to higher education."
- Visual Resources Association (VRA)The VRA "is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to furthering research and education in the field of image management and within the educational, cultural heritage, and commercial environments."
- Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA)The Virginia affiliate of the Professional Photographs of America. "VPPA is a diverse group of photographers interested in promoting and perfecting our photographic craft. We are passionate about our craft and we work together to inform, inspire and promote each other."