Which Professional Body?

Spooky

Spooky

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Simon
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I am currently working towards my licentiateship with the BIPP but whenever I mention it to other 'togs', the organisation seems to be met with some derision! Some have said, go with SWPP, others say the RPS, some say don't bother at all!!!

Now, being a bear of little brain, I am all confuzzled. Is the BIPP the right route to go, does it really matter who a tog is with?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Spooks :thinking:
 
The RPS is incorporated under Royal Charter and is governed by an elected committee. The SWPP is a business governed by unelected members of staff.

I'm not certain about the BIPP so won't comment, but I'm a member of the RPS and would prefer it to the SWPP.
 
I know a few photographers moving away from SWPP (who do seem, pay money and you're in the group), and going towards MPA (who have pretty decent standards of membership, pay your money, demonstrate that you're good enough and you're in)

I'm not sure about BIPP, and don't know too much about RPS...I was told that they were pretty traditional, but I've not really looked into so I may just be spouting crap!!
 
I'd go for either the D3s or D3x depending on what type of images...

Oh wait...that kind of Professional-Body...:geek:
 
Arkady said:
I'd go for either the D3s or D3x depending on what type of images...

Oh wait...that kind of Professional-Body...:geek:
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Hmmm... beat me to that, so I'd best answer more sensibly :D


It all depends what YOU want from the organisation you're joining

If you just want to gain letters for marketing purposes, then SWPP is fine, as it is for not-too-hard to gain first qualification... LSWPP (like mine)

If you want a bunch of like-minded helpful mates - then that's down to the individuals wherever you are, but the more of them you meet the more chance of getting some help - so this is more down to you

There's nothing wrong per se with any of them, and I don't think there's anything especially brill about any of them either. Just figure out what YOU want from being a member, do a little research and opt for the best one for YOU, or maybe two or every one you can find :)

DD
 
Arkady said:
I'd go for either the D3s or D3x depending on what type of images...

Oh wait...that kind of Professional-Body...:geek:
Click to expand...

Sorry to the OP, but that is funny..............:lol:
 
I was about to type D3S too :lol:

From what i've seen and heard i'd look at RPS and BIPP, for SWPP i'd take a 100ft bargepole and keep going :)
 
I'm a member of the MPA.

The reason why I chose them was that its the only organisation for genuine full-time photographers. Furthermore, Its compulsory that you go for a qualification to prove that you are a competent photographer. To me that gives you and your business credability. They also have some really good benefits such as discounted insurance, the best deal on merchant services (I pay a fiver a month for mine), free lawcare membership and lots of other stuff. And no question, my work and business has benefitted from being a member. Sure they are not perfect, but they have their hearts in the right place.

The BIPP are worth considering, but I think the MPA is much better better. As for the Swampies, personally I see no justified reason to join them. They may be the biggest in terms of membership - but the best? I don't think so. From what I can see is that anyone who's prepared to pay their membership fee can join them.
 
I resigned from SWPP and I've done a Licensateship with RPS. I wanted to develop my photography in ways other than just shooting weddings and people. They seem a decent bunch but you don't get any of the business side with RPS. That's where BIPP or MPA would be a distinct advantage. BIPP if you are part time, MPA if you are full time Simples "Squeek"
 
Thanks for all of your replies, folks. I am essentially looking for a qualification that would serve both my teaching and my part time business / hobby. At the moment I am teaching more and more photography (18 hours of A Level next year) and it is the only subject where I don't possess a formal qualification. Alongside that, a lot of the wedding press seem to advise brides to look for togs with letters after their name, so my gut feeling was to go with the BIPP for Social / Wedding panel.

Ali - when you say you wanted to develop your portfolio away from shooting people, did the RPS allow this? One of the fields I do a lot of work in is live theatrical events; in an ideal world I would love to do this for a career but is there a body who would recognise it as a discpiline?

Anyhow, cheers once more for your thoughts.

Spooks
 
AliB said:
I resigned from SWPP and I've done a Licensateship with RPS. I wanted to develop my photography is ways other than just shooting weddings and people. They seem a decent bunch but you don't get any of the business side with RPS. That's where BIPP or MPA would be a distinct advantage. BIPP if you are part time, MPA if you are full time Simples "Squeek"
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I remember you resigning, but as of today you are still listed as a full member on their site.

My opinion, and it is only that, that the MPA's full time entry is a bit foolish nowdays. Other then that the insurance and instistance you gain qualifications within 6 months are good, but you get that with the BIPP too. Just work out which one suits you best and you'd get the most out of.

Hugh
 
boyfalldown said:
I remember you resigning, but as of today you are still listed as a full member on their site.

Hugh
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Yep, since I had paid for a year in full my resignation will become effective when my subs run out.

I have written giving the required notice and it has been accepted so I need to send my card back when it runs out. In the meantime I'll read the mags :)

As for RPS, if you want to do your L you can do it in any subject so long as it works as a cohesive panel.
 
Do professional photographers have to be members of any organisation? Just curious.
 
gabe said:
Do professional photographers have to be members of any organisation? Just curious.
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Nope - which in a way is part of the problem :(

Today you can be 'Joe the dustman' (nothing wrong with that btw), but tomorrow you could buy a camera - even having never held one before - and launch yourself unto the world as 'Joe the Professional Wedding Photographer'

DD
 
DiddyDave said:
Nope - which in a way is part of the problem :(

Today you can be 'Joe the dustman' (nothing wrong with that btw), but tomorrow you could buy a camera - even having never held one before - and launch yourself unto the world as 'Joe the Professional Wedding Photographer'

DD
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As you could be as a Builder, Plumber, Chiropractor, Carpenter, Painter & Decorator, Artist, Film Maker, pretty much anything. It makes no difference. Call yourself what you will.
 
Nigey said:
As you could be as a Builder, Plumber, Chiropractor, Carpenter, Painter & Decorator, Artist, Film Maker, pretty much anything. It makes no difference. Call yourself what you will.
Click to expand...

Most industries are not regulated tis true - and that's a fault of their's too

Some industries are regulated, so anyone offering themselves as a 'Pro' in that industry must have met certain standards, this is a good idea for any industry surely?

In some countries Photography is one of them

DD
 
Spooky said:
Thanks for all of your replies, folks. I am essentially looking for a qualification that would serve both my teaching and my part time business / hobby. At the moment I am teaching more and more photography (18 hours of A Level next year) and it is the only subject where I don't possess a formal qualification. Alongside that, a lot of the wedding press seem to advise brides to look for togs with letters after their name, so my gut feeling was to go with the BIPP for Social / Wedding panel.

Ali - when you say you wanted to develop your portfolio away from shooting people, did the RPS allow this? One of the fields I do a lot of work in is live theatrical events; in an ideal world I would love to do this for a career but is there a body who would recognise it as a discpiline?

Anyhow, cheers once more for your thoughts.

Spooks
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Hi. I'm a member of the RPS. The RPS awards distinctions, not qualifications. Qualifications might be a BA or a BTEC.
While its good to get your ability judged by peers, I don't really think any of these 'awards' carry that much weight with clients, most of whom most likely don't even know what they are or what they mean. I know lots of senior distinction people who rarely bother to publish that information outside of their dealings with the body in questions.

Go to the RPS site and browse the information. There are various categories to enter panels (although this doesn't apply for an 'L') into, e.g. applied (which might suit weddings etc) and I'm sure this has been done before.

The major difference, it seems, with the SWPP and the like is that they 'advertise' you on their website. A friend who is also a member gets no business at all from that source. Is it worth the expense? You need to be the judge of that.
 
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