Are you thinking about becoming a professional photographer? Have you been established for a while and want to take your business to the next level? Do you need insurance?

Peggy Farren's image is featured in the Professional Photographers of America magazine.

• INCLUDED in your PPA membership is insurance for $15,000 worth of equipment. Yep - included in the membership price! To me, this is no-brainer. You'll have to pay for insurance anyway so why not reap all the other benefits, while also paying your equipment insurance premium!
• PPA offers a monthly payment plan of only $27.92 a month.
• PPA.com - STOP learning from your Facebook friends, YouTube and beginner photographers! If you spend 15 minutes a day on this website, you will probably become a top earning and fabulous photographer within a year!
• Legal resources – sample contracts, model releases, DMCA letters and copyright kits.
• The Indemnification Trust – PPA’s unique malpractice protection for members when things go wrong on an assignment. I never dreamed I would need a lawyer! But I did one time. Thank goodness for the PPA. It didn't cost me a dime.
• Merits - You may not be interested in pursuing your Master's degree in Photography just yet, but you can be earning merits that do not expire. So if you decide to go for it in 5 years, you may already be on your way there!
• Being published in the PPA magazine is the ultimate honor! Your clients will realize that as well. I've photographed a gazillion magazine covers but nothing has given me more credibility than my PPA published image!
• Discounts, credibility, etc.

PPA sponsored workshops are reasonably priced, with credible instructors! Understand Photography is hosting TWO Super Monday workshops in October: "Speedlight" and "The Business of Making Money in Portraits". Both are co-taught by Valarie Hoffman of Hoffman Photography and Peggy Farren of Avant-Garde Images. Only $99 early registration: Register here: http://www.ppa.com/education-events/sm/states/sm_states_fl.php For detailed info: http://www.meetup.com/UnderstandPhotography/events/72681182/

I also STRONGLY recommend getting involved in your local professional guild. Ours here is Southwest Florida meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month in Fort Myers. www.ppswf.com

Don't worry if you are a beginner! You will be welcomed! Established photographers really want you to grow and learn and become more professional! For some reason, the newer photographers all stick together and many of them begin teaching before they really know what they are doing. Find credible photography instruction and learn from networking with true professionals.

If you are not in SW Florida, do a search for (Your city) professional photographers association. You will be glad you did!

Signing off! ~Peggy Farren

What is a merit?