128+ Years of Service to the Photographic Industry
Read the history of PPA here.

1880
The Chicago Photographic Association and former members of the defunct National Photographers Association join forces to form the Photographers Association of America. PAA would become PPA in 1958.

PAA holds its first conference with 237 attendees. James F. Ryder of Cleveland elected as the first president. Revolutionary gelatin dry plate process demonstrated for the first time the. PAA's endorsement establishes the dry plate as the standard professional material.

1888
George Eastman introduces his Kodak camera and processing services at the PAA convention.

1906
During the annual convention, PAA develops photographic salons, which eventually led to the establishment of the current PPA International Print Competition and the Traveling Loan Collection.

1908
Color photography unveiled at the PAA convention.

1909
First meeting of PAA's governing body, the Congress of Photography, at the national conference in Rochester, NY.

1922
Winona School of Professional Photography inaugurated at Winona Lake, Indiana, in a building donated by the Daguerre Club of Indiana.

1927
Through advertising, the association grows into a trade organization. The Pathfinder becomes the official association journal, later renamed The Pathway.

1929
The National Council replaces the Congress as the governing body for PAA.

1930
Golden anniversary is celebrated. Artificial photographic lighting demonstrated at the PAA convention.

1934
Charles Abel changes Abel's Photographic Weekly to The Professional Photographer.

1936
Abel, James Caufield and Fred Bill institute the Merit Degree program. Approved in 1937, it establishes the degrees of Honorary Master, Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsmen, and Photographic Specialist.

1937
The Directory of Professional Photographers, a list of members and an almanac of professional photographers, is published.

1950
First issue of National Photographer published. Because it is officially part of the Charles Abel's estate, Professional Photographer is discontinued as the official PAA publication.

1953
PAA by-laws changed to allow an Industrial Photography Division.

1958
PAA becomes Professional Photographers of America, Inc. (PPA) to dispel public confusion between it and amateur groups.

PPA begins the Qualified Program for commercial and industrial photographers.

In February, PPA joined the affiliated Mississippi-Alabama Associated Photographers (later renamed the Professional Photographers of Mississippi-Alabama) and the University of Mississippi to hold the first professional photography conference with joint participation from a local association, national association, and major university.

1961
Professional Photographer is purchased from the estate of Charles Abel, and the National Photographer is renamed the National Professional Photographer. The name later returns to simply Professional Photographer.

1964
Land is purchased in Des Plaines, Illinois for the first permanent home of PPA.

1966
PPA headquarters opens in Des Plaines, Illinois.

1968
Architectural Photographers Association merges with PPA.

1973
PPA established the Specialist degree for retouchers and artists.

1974
PPA produces the first Buyers Guide for members.

1976
PPA creates the Errors and Omissions Trust (now known as the Indemnification Trust), offering affordable malpractice-style protection for members.

1977
PPA introduces the certification program.

1984
PPA opens a $3 million facility to house the Winona School.

1985
PPA establishes the World Council of Professional Photographers.

1989
PPA wins copyright infringement case against Eckerd Drugs of Texas.

1990
PPA wins copyright infringement case against Union Photos Company of New Jersey

1992
PPA's first female president, Evangeline Chase Parker, takes office.

1993
PPA headquarters and the Winona School move from Chicago to Atlanta.

1994
PPA wins copyright infringement case against Linn Photo.

1996
PPA introduces the World's Greatest Storytellers, the first national branding campaign for professional photographers.

1997
PPA holds the first Digital Imaging & Video Conference.

1998
PPA creates PPA Charities, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to assisting children and families in need.

1999
PPA unveils their re-tooled professional conferences: Digital Power, Power Tools, and Imaging USA.

PPA announces partnerships with The Knot (www.theknot.com), Robert Faber's Photoworkshop (www.photoworks.com), and Collins Knowledge Network.

PPA settles copyright infringement case with K-mart of Michigan.

2000
PPA renames its annual international convention Imaging USA.

2001
PPA takes a more active role in protecting photographers’ rights with the creation of the Copyright and Government Affairs Department. PPA actively lobbies on behalf of photographers on Capitol Hill. Visit www.copyrightdefense.com to learn more about their efforts and results.

2002
PPA presents a copyright deposit reform proposal to U.S. Copyright Office.

2003
PPA testifies as a witness in favor of the Piracy Deterrence Act before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property.

PPA expands its lobbying efforts to include health care reform for small businesses.

2004
PPA’s Board of Directors travels to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of Congress and the executive staff of the U.S. Copyright Office.

2005
PPA celebrates its 125th anniversary.

After more than 100 years, Imaging USA moves from July to January, becoming the first major photographic event of the year.

PPA issues comments in response to the Copyright Office Notice of Inquiry on Orphan Works.

PPA participates in industry-wide Copyright Office Roundtables on Orphan Works.

PPA launches new online community, www.OurPPA.com.

PPA establishes $200,000 Disaster Relief Fund for PPA member photographers affected by Hurricane Katrina.

2006
Imaging USA in Austin, Texas, draws record-breaking attendance of nearly 7,000 photographers.

PPA exceeds 16,000 members.

2008
Imaging USA in Tampa, Florida, breaks all records with over 8,000 attendees and a 600+ booth tradeshow.

PPA exceeds 20,000 members.