Joining PPOC
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Professional Photographers of Canada!
To join PPOC, there are two initial steps:
Create your User Account: Your "User Account" consists of a username, display name, email address & password. Upon approval, this allows access to the PPOC website. - +
Create your User Account Profile: Your "Account Profile" adds details to your "User Account". Generally, all the information required for your membership. Name, Studio/Business name, the usual list of contact information detail and images for your "Active Member" profile page online.
(*Please Note: Fees are required for membership in PPOC.)
Thank you for your interest in membership in the Professional Photographers of Canada. All new members start at the Observer level and have the option to upgrade to full Accredited membership at anytime by earning a National Accreditation. Only Accredited members are able to represent themselves as members of PPOC.
Accreditation involves the submission of 10 images in a specific photographic field. These images are reviewed by a panel of nationally qualified judges who assemble 4 times annually. Accredited members are able to use the logo of both associations and are also promoted on the public side of both the provincial and national websites.
PPOC membership brings with it many benefits, including financial ones. Among the most important benefits are the opportunities for education and fellowship. Other benefits include:
An Accreditation Program that allows members to apply for and earn an accreditation in a specific field. To become accredited a member submits a selection of images in a particular category to a panel of qualified judges. To receive an accreditation is to be regarded as an "expert" in that field. An accreditation with PPOC also satisfies the first level of PPO qualification.
Accreditation is very helpful in establishing credibility with both clients and peers, and assists our members in making referrals to other members, with the assurance of their abilities in a particular area of photography.
A National Convention is held annually, as are regional conventions nationwide. These events provide excellent educational opportunities, as well as the ability to meet with other members of the industry. They also provide the opportunity to take in trade shows, introducing you to the latest the industry has to offer and capitalize on promotional offers.
The PPOC and regional websites are sources from which both members and agencies are able to find and make referrals to photographers in a particular geographical area, or who specialize in a certain field. Members of the public are utilizing the site heavily to find photographers for portraits and events. Many of our members are able to cite their association website listings as being specifically responsible for multiple bookings each year. Members are also able to display their own images on their individual listing on the site, as well as have a link directly to their own website.
PPOC and its regional affiilates offer annual print competitions, providing members with the opportunity to be recognized by their peers, as well as the public, for their outstanding image making. PPOC also produces an annual hard cover book containing all of the images accepted in the National Salon. It provides a voice for advancements in copyright legislation. There is an online forum, which provides members with easy reference to other photographers who may be able to answer questions or provide technical assistance. There are scholarship programs available as well. The list of benefits is extensive.
There are also many financial benefits, which include discounts on business forms, discounted VISA and MasterCard merchant rates (which are significant enough to actually pay for the cost of your membership, depending upon the volume of transactions you are doing). There are reduced real estate and mortgage fees available to members, as well as an insurance program which offers coverage geared specifically to photographers, and which is unmatched by any other insurer. Our members are also invited to purchase health and dental insurance for themselves and their employees offered to us at a group rate. We have also introduced discounted car rental rates, discounted hotel rates and preferred leasing rates. Our members are also able to purchase Aeroplan miles to make available to their clients.
PPOC members also have access to discounts on many educational events offered outside of the association, as we routinely negotiate with speakers conducting cross Canada tours, promoting their events in exchange for a minimum 25% discount on the cost of their seminars for our membership.
Membership fees vary between provinces based upon regional services provided.
Sincerely,
Tanya Thompson
Executive Director, PPOC
Get a full listing of Member benefits