The Speech I Forgot to Make

Four evenings ago, a small group of photographers, past recipients of the PPA National Award, lined up at the front of a ballroom in a Columbus, Ohio convention center. As they stood in line, ready to welcome a new member to their group, their total number of years in the photographic industry was staggering, their accomplishments were many and the medallions around their necks held signs of the level of excellence they had reached. In some way, they each had contributed to the industry in a way that not many have. I waited and listened as PPA Vice-President Michael Timmons began to introduce the award, followed by PP of Ohio (PPO) President Tom Walter, who personalized the presentation for the recipient. As the minutes flowed by, the words became more personal and I began to realize that the next recipient of the PPA National Award was me.

And time stood still. For a moment. And then it began to spin crazily through tears, hugs and astonishment. And somewhere, I think I was supposed to “say a few words,” but I didn’t. I couldn’t have, anyway. First of all, I’m not very synonymous with the phrase “a few words” and secondly, I still can’t talk about that night without choking up a little, so a speech that night – yeah, I would have screwed it up. You were all better off letting me go to my seat and have a glass of wine. Thanks for that.

But now, here we are, and I feel the need to say something. “Thank you” doesn’t begin to cover it.

I’ve stayed pretty silent about the PPO in the articles that I write because they’re MY group. It’s the group where I work and where I play and where I respect the other members and don’t want to do, say or write anything that would bring criticism upon them. But I’m thinking I can probably run my mouth now, right? 😉

So here goes…

When I began researching PPO, I did that OCD thing and looked up every single thing I could. Hey, it wasn’t like I had a couple of states to pick from, I lived in Ohio, these were my “people” and if I was gonna join I wanted to know what I was getting myself into.

And I was impressed.

In my research, I found state, regional and international print competition results. Exactly the main reason I wanted to be involved. I looked at the lists that spanned over several years and kept seeing a large number of names repeated over and over again. Obviously Ohio had a large number of highly excellent photographers within its border.

Nice.

I joined, I attended a conference, went to some classes, entered a competition, won a trophy. Meh. It was ok. Met some people that seemed like they were having fun & they were kind of nice. I was new and kind of introvert-y, so I just figured I’d hang in there and see what happened. By this time, I’d achieved PPA’s CPP designation, but not much else. I was kind of grasping at what to do next.

And then I asked if I could volunteer in the print room.

And an itty-bitty monster was created.

Little by little, over the next few years, I grew. As a photographer, and as a member. Everything I’ve learned has been at the knee of the PPO. From pestering the print chairmen over the years with every question I could think of, to running through tutorials online with Master Photographers who have offered to help me – it’s been the PPO every single step of the way.

The PPO has given me classes to sit in and classes to teach. They’ve introduced me to colleagues for networking, and to folks who have become the dearest friends I’ve known. When I wanted to work on my Craftsman degree, they gave me a small slot to teach a class in at convention. They’ve given me mentors, mentorees and sometimes just brilliant photographers to talk art with until the wee hours.

They held my hand as I’ve negotiated the requirements for the Craftsman and Master of Photography degrees. They cheered me on as it took four long attempts to pass the Ohio CPP portfolio review and they offered me space to proctor CPP exams for the PPA.

They’ve given me jobs, responsibilities, titles and roles. From writing reports and procedures to taping red ribbons on prints, if they’ve asked, I’ve done it, happily, because I have taken away far far more than I have ever given. I am who I am because of the PPO. They’ve been my rock, my stepping stone and sometimes, my safety net.

And yes, I’m looking through some rose-colored glasses right now, but that’s ok. We all know that organizations are not all peaches and cream and the PPO is no different than any other. Along with the laughter and joy, there’s been some frustration and tears – but you know what? In the end we talk, we negotiate, we argue a little and eventually we figure it out and go on. When you’ve got a team of terrific people to work with, you can get problems squared away without too much fuss. That’s kind of the way it goes with family.

Yes. Family.

A lot of photographers aren’t as fortunate as I. Their state has no organization at all, or one they don’t like, or they live in a state that’s so huge that events and meetings are impossible to travel to.

But me, I’ve got the PPO. And they’re kind of stuck with me, now.

I’ve got no illusions that I’m at the top of my game or that I’ve “arrived.” I’m still shocked that I was selected for an award that could have gone to so many other deserving photographers. I understand the prestige and am humbled beyond description.

I will spend the rest of my career proving I was worthy of it.

My heart is full. Thank you for honoring me with a night I will remember forever.