Are You Involved?
Greetings to all of my fellow members and friends. My hope is that as you read this you are recovering from the heat and dryness of the summer, and enjoying the many colors, textures, and business that autumn in Washington State brings us.
You can read this and many other articles in the Autumn 2015 issue of Washington Photographer
Speaking of colors, by the time you read this the association’s fall event, the Prosser Balloon Festival, will be long over. I hope that you were able to break away for a weekend and join us here among the eastern Washington fall color. If not, you missed a great event. I personally missed the summer event in Leavenworth and am still kicking myself for backing out at the last minute. Everyone who attended reported having a fantastic time. I want to give a very special thank you to Ralph Allen and to Heidi Swoboda, our Vice President, for arranging these events for our members.
That leads me to the theme of my message for this season: involvement.
The other day I received a phone call from an association in my town asking me to join. For a couple of hundred dollars I could belong to the organization, have my name in their directory, on the website, and receive discounts from other members. Although it was a great offer, and actually a great organization to belong to, I turned it down. Why?
Because I couldn’t be involved. Frankly, I’m too busy with everything else in my life and couldn’t see myself spreading my time assets even thinner.
The same holds true for the Professional Photographers of Washington. I desperately want you to get the full benefits of your membership. For that matter, I know that the entire board, executive board, and our executive director Faye Johnson are very dedicated to making that a number one priority. It was an intense major theme to our summer board retreat, and a central part of our goals for the year.
Getting the most out of your membership requires you. What do you want out of your membership? What are your desires and goals? Do you want to be a better photographer? A better business person? Do you want to make photography your full-time profession? Do you want a degree in photography? Do you want to hang out and have fun with people who see the world through a lens like you do? That is up to you. Just know that whatever you want, PPW is here to help you reach those goals.
You can read this and many other articles in the Autumn 2015 issue of Washington Photogrpapher
I know this because jusI know this because just a few years ago I really wanted to be a professional photographer. I wanted to make my living with it. I wanted to make art that people hung on their walls. I wanted to be a success in this industry. I have leaned heavily on the Professional Photographers of Washington to help me reach those goals. I’ve done that by getting involved, showing up, and being there as often as I could. From that, I have learned and gained so much more than I ever expected. My hope is that you will do the same.
Please call your district representative. Go to a meeting either in your district or any other. Get involved and you will get way more than you ever thought possible.
Wishing you all the best,
Rich Breshears, FP, CPP
