Volunteer... Christine Walsh-Newton, M. Photog., Cr., CPP I believe 100% that membership in a professional organization is vital to today's photographer. Belonging to an organization is a way to network, get educated and just recharge your batteries. I usually come away from conventions and meetings with a renewed sense of hope for myself and my business. I am empowered through education and fraternity. One of the organizations I belong to is the Professional Photographers of Ohio (PPO), which is probably fairly similar to many other state-level organizations. I joined
them in 2009, volunteered in 2010, was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees in 2011 and a second threeyear term in 2014. So, officially, they're stuck with me through 2017, but the reality of it is - I'll be around for a long time. As long as they'll let me. I have found my home in the PPO and I think a lot of photographers would be well-served to find themselves a similar group. Since you only get out of something what you put into it, I highly suggest that you