I’ve suddenly realized that I joined a fraternity that I didn’t even know existed. Some folks call it “family” but I think it goes more along the lines of “fraternity” than anything else.
Deep down inside, you’ve recognized it. You’ve been traveling around and you spy someone else with a camera around their neck, you sneak a peek, yep, full frame, another peek, nope, no kit lens. Several small indicators lead you to believe you are looking at a pro. “PPA?” you ask…”yeah” leads to a handshake, an introduction and instantly you have a bond. The photography talk flows and your spouses rolls their eyes, because they know it’s gonna be like trying to drag frat boys away from a keg to get you two apart.
Back when I was a Chi Omega, many moons ago, I was given a Big Sister. Well, whoopdy do, right? For someone who never had a sister, let alone an older sibling, I wasn’t sure what this meant. Later I was to discover that this young lady was there to tutor me in areas of study that were dragging my grade point average down or would hook me up with a tutor who could help me. She was there to help me through the trials and tribulations of being a college freshman, away from home and friends, and sometimes just helpless and naive. She was both friend and mentor. One time she even loaned me the bucks to pay for our sorority formal dance tickets when I was between paydays.
The end result of sorority/fraternity life was that you had a kindred relationship with anyone else who had ever belonged to the same fraternity/sorority as you.
Pro
of in point – I was a Chi Omega in 1982. Thirty years later, in 2012, I ran into another Chi Omega at a hotel breakfast buffet and we sat and had breakfast together like old friends. We hadn’t met previously, I recognized her affiliation from her sweatshirt, but that was the opening to our conversation that we would would have never had, otherwise. Here’s Hannah, giving the Chi-O “sign.”
So back to the story… I believe that the PPA and other state organizations, and possibly even local affiliates offer some of that fraternal friendship. I know that anyone local to me that is a member of the PPA is welcome to call me in case of emergency and ask a favor. Double that for any of my PP of Ohio friends. And triple that if you’re a CPP. Your studio get flooded? You need to borrow lights until your insurance adjuster shows up and does a claim? I have some you can borrow. You lose your studio space and and need to access a studio to wrap up some appointments? Call me. We’ll deal. Need a second shooter for a wedding? If I’m free, I’ll help you out. Or at least suggest a few names of others that may be available.
Maybe this isn’t how it is across the board, but in my world view, when you pay your membership dues, you also gain a network of photography colleagues that are at least interested in trying to look professional. Meet them, network with them, plot, plan and scheme with them. Pick each others’ brains. Ya’ll are in the same club now, and there’s power in numbers.
For those of you on the shy side, reach out. Use your group’s membership list to find and reach out to just one person that you haven’t spent time talking to, or even met. Ditch the electronic social stuff and actually call them on the phone. Or drop them an email. Invite them to coffee or to meet you for a drink at the next get-together scheduled by your group. Some of my best friends are people that I’ve met because I chose the photography profession.
I’m just really glad there’s no hazing. 😉