To be a photographer is usually to be an Alpha. You know, top dog! We’re independent, like to be our own bosses, prefer to be masters and mistresses of our own destiny.

That’s all well and good, but there is an inherent down side to all this — Isolation with a capital “I.” Isolation from family and friends, isolation from fellow photographers, and isolation from a certain kind of knowledge and sharing. We tend to be loners.

There was a time not so long ago, when photographers wouldn’t be caught dead talking to one another on any more than a cursory level. The other photographer might steal your client, discover your private shooting location, or some other world-shattering catastrophe. Right, as if the other photographer didn’t also know who the potential clients were or could not read a map or do some research!

Often photographers do not see the value in becoming a member of an association. I don’t care what association it is — ASMP, PPA, NANPA, NAPP, etc. — but there is a lot to be said for the old phrase “strength in numbers.” It should be noted that the associations themselves, once staunch competitors, have banded together for a number of years now to, among other things, effect positive change in intellectual property laws and help combat some of the undesirable trends in the business world.

In one of the associations to which I belong, we get together monthly for lunch, often sitting outside in the mid-day sun while we share war stories, discuss clients who do not pay in a timely manner, and even what we might charge for this or that job. No, we do not and cannot set rates, but there is nothing wrong with sharing with others how you come up with pricing for a particular project. Not sharing tends to lead to undercutting which, in turn, is followed by further undercutting, until there is little chance of making a reasonable profit on a job.

We shared information on a particular local agency that delayed payment for two, four, and even six months, sometimes with rubber checks. We bounce ideas off one another in pricing a job of a type we have not done before. We even do personal projects together, based on the same parameters, and share the results. None of this takes away from our individuality and unique vision.

We also share information on editorial clients who often prey on the unsuspecting new photographer with such statements as, “We don’t pay much, but we do make up for it with a credit line.” Mmm-hmmm.

Am I swayed?

No.

Why?

Does your name below the photograph pay for that new lens you want, or the insurance on your equipment, or the repair on your DSLR that got caught in that last, horrific rain squall?

No-o-o-o!

I always tell photographers who are interested in seeing their work published in magazines, “If your photograph is worthy of publication, it is worthy of fair recompense.” To not insist on same is to not only take food out of the mouths of professionals, but money away from what your photography is really worth. Accepting unacceptable rates for payment is debasing the worth of your photography. No ifs, ands, or buts.

By being a member of an association, you can share knowledge with fellow photographers, both pros and amateurs. And I should note here, that there are certainly “amateurs” who, in me’umble opinion, are far better photographers than some “pros.”

I can cite many examples of the value of membership in an association, but I’ll limit it to a few, and some of you have already read my rather long, many-part article on Serendipity (check the archives) in which there are several examples.

Before my husband and I became partners, he was in Alaska, a place in which I have spent quite a bit of time. He needed a dramatic, scenic location. To that end, he was heading out scouting with the client. I knew exactly the perfect place.

“Go to the end, around the corner, and head up the hill. About half way up, stop, and look back, and you will see a spectacular shot with the snow-capped mountains behind.” Ah, but the client knew all sorts of great places, and mine was forgotten. A couple of days later, I got a call from Alaska.

“Where was that location you described?”

“You mean the client’s ‘great locations’ didn’t pan out?” and I repeated the instructions. Sure enough, the client was more than pleased!

Sometimes, we members share information on who what company offers quality framing materials, what nifty little gadget we found, where we find our archival inks for less, etc. By banding together, we get better rates on health insurance and insurance for our expensive equipment. Our association negotiates discounts on products and Photoshop plug-ins for us and keeps us apprised of the latest developments on this or that case or business that potentially affects our industry. After all, whether you are “amateur” or pro, the health of our industry affects all of us.

Remember that editorial example cited above? One of my friends (and a fellow board member) called in a quandary. XYZ magazine, an old client of his, had called for some photography. The price they offered was reasonable, but the new contract they wanted signed was not. They wanted all rights in perpetuity.

“Do they sell advertising,” I asked.

“We both know that answer,” he replied, and we both chuckled, knowing the unacceptable scenario. Many magazines have no problem having one set of rules for themselves and a totally different set for the photographers and writers.

Would they allow the advertiser to run that ad again without payment? Of course not, but they thought it was quite alright to run my friend’s photograph any number of times in the future without paying him again. They might use his photograph or photographs in their ads, again without payment.

My friend elected to no longer work for that magazine. It can be a tough decision when you are giving up a paying job, but he felt that it was better to take a stand against unfair practices. He will be sharing his story with the members of our association.

When you are a member of an association, you can trade information on who the decent and not-so-decent people are. There are insights to be gained on how you arrive at fair pricing, determine your true overhead, protect your copyright, create a “paper” trail (now a digital one.) I don’t know about the rest of you, pro or “amateur,” but I am not in the business or pleasure of losing money. I have gained so much knowledge from my fellow association members over the years, and hopefully, I have repaid more than in kind.

I have also made some amazing friends in many parts of the world, people with whom I really enjoy going out and photographing, really close friends with whom I will share special locations. After all, you can have twenty people photographing a particular spot in a particular location, and you will have twenty different renditions and interpretations of that scene.

Often, I am contacted by fellow photographer friends for input on where to go in a certain locale.

“There are some really great hot springs, but they are hard to find. Go along this route until you see the white gravel on the left. Pull in and walk to the far left corner. You’ll find a little, quite-steep path. Clamber down, and at the bottom, head to the left until you reach the tree that has fallen across the river. Cross on the tree, and head on up the hill where you will find several levels of hot springs.”

I had joined two friends for a few days of photography, and late afternoon, I suggested we go to a really cool location I knew. We arrived after dark in that place noted above, and I won’t repeat the comments of my friends as they surveyed the steep path. Let’s just say they were quite colorful.

“Stop belly-aching, and start moving. Believe me, you’re going to thank me.”

They did! The wine was excellent; the snacks, tasty; the locale, perfect; and the photographs, priceless!

At other times, people will say to me, “Oh, when you’re there, you must stop and visit…” There are a few photographs below from ten days ago, thanks to a friend who clued me in to the location.

So, if you are not a member of an association, seriously consider joining one. The benefits gained are immeasurable and the friendships made, treasured.

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