Become a Member of PPOC-SK
Joining PPOC-SK is the first step in becoming part of the professional photography industry in Saskatchewan and Canada.
As a resident of Saskatchewan, your membership in the Professional Photographers of Canada will include PPOC-Saskatchewan (PPOC-SK).
The entry level to membership is as an Observer, which entitles you to all of the same benefits as an Accredited member, with the exception of use of the Associations’ logo, listing on the public side of the website, and eligibility to compete in Image Salon.
In order to upgrade your membership to Accredited member and take advantage of the above benefits, you must earn a National Accreditation by submitting ten images in a specific photographic specialty. Your image submission would be judged by a panel of qualified jurors who meet four times annually to review submissions.
Although you require only one accreditation in order to upgrade your membership, you are welcome to earn as many as you wish. To hold an accreditation is to be considered an “expert” in that field of photography and is a great tool both for promoting yourself to the public as well as in referrals from other photographers.
As an Observer member you will be entitled to take advantage of member rates on educational programs offered by PPOC and PPOC-SK. You will be welcome to attend any functions offered by any of PPOC’s provincial branches at member rates as well.
PPOC-SK and 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:
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 PPOC-SK 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.
Both PPOC and PPOC-SK offer annual image competitions, providing members with the opportunity to be recognized by their peers, as well as the public, for their outstanding image making. PPOC also hosts a traveling collection of images from its print competitions that are displayed on a rotational basis from coast to coast. 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, preferred leasing rates, 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.
Observer membership for 12 months is $280 plus GST for a total of $294 and is payable by VISA or Mastercard over the phone, or by cheque payable to PPOC mailed to PPOC Office, 209 Light Street, Woodstock, ON N4S 6H6.
We are able to offer you a payment plan in which you would pay the full amount of the dues in four consecutive monthly installments, commencing with the date the membership is activated.
Should you be eligible to upgrade from Observer to Active status mid-way through the membership year, your Observer member dues will be applied against the Active membership fee for the year. The cost of a 12 month Accredited membership is $373 plus GST for a total of $391.65.
To apply online, please click here
For more information, please contact the PPOC-SK Administrative Coordinator at the National office: Tanya Thompson admin@sppa.org1-888-643-7762