This image was created by member Ashleigh Wells from Anmore, BC. To view more of Ashleigh’s work, please visit: Ashleigh Wells Photography

This image was created by member Shauna Gustavson from Eckville, AB. To view more of Shauna’s work, please visit: Gustavson Photography

This image was created by member Jenny Alston from Lethbridge, AB. To view more of Jenny’s work, please visit:Imajen Photography

This image was created by member Keiko Imaizumi from Vancouver, BC. To view more of Keiko’s work, please visit: Keiko Photography

This image was created by member Jeff Noon from Medicine Hat, AB. To view more of Jeff’s work, please visit: Jeff Noon Photographic Design

The following note was recently shared on the PPOC’s member’s only facebook page from member Shawn Taylor from Niagara Falls, ON. Shawn found himself in a medical emergency with a wedding to photograph. He put out a call for help to his fellow PPOC members in the area and his wedding was covered for him while recovered from surgery. The PPOC’s mandate is to provide education and support for professional photographers, however, most members will cite the network and support from other professional photographer’s across the nation as the biggest benefit to membership. Thank you Shawn for the note and I hope you are on your way to a full recovery!

“I would like to share a positive note about a situation that arose here in Hamilton/ Niagara last week. I know members and potential future members are always asking what they get out of the organization. Everyone always talks about the seminars and the education opportunities, however I think the following is often over looked:

On Monday March 12th I found myself in a hospital emergency room – after undergoing many tests the doctors informed me that I was going nowhere and that I was being scheduled to have emergency surgery that evening. The first thing I said was “well I have a wedding this weekend – can we do this like next week?” The doctors didn’t really laugh – as much as they told me that I was in no way going anywhere – that I wasn’t going to be shooting my wedding, and that if not taken care of immediately my infected Gallbladder could prove to be fatal. Those words were very sobering.

My first thought was to call my sponsor – current Second Vice President of the PPO – Rob Nowell. I explained – through tears – my situation and he told me not to worry that he was going to make some phone calls and that we would get this covered. I was terrified – seven years building my business and as the saying goes “you are only as good as you were last weekend” – in less than 5 minutes Rob called me back offering to cover the wedding himself.

The education and seminars that come with membership are fantastic, but the importance of the relationships we build and how together we form a PPOC family of sorts cannot be understated.

I would like to openly convey my heartfelt thanks to Rob and his family for taking the time out of his weekend to cover for me. Words can’t describe how thankful I am. I consider myself a member for life – and would not hesitate a moment in paying it forward in the future. If there is not a category for merit points or recognition of some sort for this kind of selfless act I propose there should be.

In my eyes Rob is the “most-sportsmanlike” photographer – if that example works – I have ever met and I feel he deserves recognition for stepping up. Rob is an asset to the PPOC and leads by example – I look up to and respect him more than he knows and I feel he personifies class, professionalism and everything that is amazing about our organization.

My sincere thanks to Rob and his family,

- Shawn Taylor”

This image was created by member Richard Berry from Canmore, AB. To view more of Richard’s work, please visit: Richard Berry Photography

This image was created by member and master photographer Esther Campeau from Gatineau, QC. To view more of Esther’s work, please visit: Esther Campeau

This image was created by member and master photographer Kathy Walker from Red Cliff, AB. To view more of Kathy’s work, please visit: Photologic Studio

This image was created by member and master photographer Phanh Tram from Edmonton, AB.