How Important Are Associations?

A real wedding pro will likely belong to at least one of the outstanding organizations meant for professional photographers. If you decide to hire a pro, ask if he is a member of any associations. Among the most sophisticated are APA (Advertising Photographers of America) and ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers). These two are widely-known within the photography industry to serve a largely corporate base of clientele.

At the consumer level, you'll find photographers who belong to PPA (Professional Photographers of America) and WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers of America). By being actively affiliated, the photographer gains valuable resources, workshop opportunities and news in the biz, which means they stay up-to-date on the latest wedding trends. It also means that your photographer is continually bettering his skills by always learning new tricks of the trade. Really, it never ends in any profession.

TIP - Find out if your photographer has insurance and ask for a certificate of proof for your wedding day. Photography is a capital-intensive business with equipment that is fragile, prone to damage and that is highly attractive to thieves. Insurance isnt cheap, but a successful photographer wouldnt be without it.