We here at PPA recently took a moment to step back and reflect on everything our community has experienced in the last year. Despite all the unexpected challenges and the overwhelming uncertainty, our association remained committed to helping photographers like you. In fact, we believe in that mission now more than ever!

Check out the video below and see for yourself everything we accomplished in 2020, including giving members over $3 million in COVID relief.

2020 was a year filled with unexpected obstacles and challenges. The pandemic changed our industry in so many ways, but one thing that remained unchanged is PPA’s dedication to its members and the photographic industry as a whole.

We kicked off 2020 with a successful Imaging USA in Nashville, Tennessee, that was attended by over 10,000 photographers. Then, at the beginning of the pandemic and amid nationwide shutdowns, PPA’s Board of Directors approved a $3 million COVID-19 assistance package for members and began providing real-time updates on the government stimulus package and financial assistance programs.

With many in-person events canceled, PPA hosted 35 webinars and 30 Facebook Live sessions to help members stay connected and inspired during an unprecedented year. But we didn’t stop there. To help all photographers prepare to reopen their businesses, we made our online education free to everyone for two months. The platform’s updated design makes it easier for users to learn new ideas and concepts to reach their individual goals. 

PPA’s education platform wasn’t the only thing to get a new look in 2020. We also launched a new website and adopted a more modern logo that better reflects the organization. We re-launched the See the Difference program, including new sales and marketing tools to help members grow their businesses.  And Professional Photographer magazine continued its legacy of greatness by publishing more than 150 articles about the most important topics in the industry. Building off our first two studies, we continue to conduct market research to help members better understand consumer behavior and attitudes.

For the first time ever, International Photographic Competition Jurors offered critiques to all members, not just competition participants. Over 1,075 member images were reviewed!

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, PPA advocated for your rights as a creator and helped pass the CASE Act in the House. Members like you sent thousands of letters in an effort to pass this law that protects photographers’ rights to their work.

Insurance is one of PPA’s most popular benefits, so it’s no surprise that members saved big in 2020. We helped more than 650 members through the Indemnification Trust and equipment insurance, paying out over $601,000 in claims! Plus, last year, members saw a 50% reduction in their deducible for data loss recovery.

When we say we exist to help photographers, that’s not just talk! It’s what we do every day. Last year, in total, our Member Care Team helped 38,835 photographers through PPA’s website, 34,404 through email, and 12,975 over the phone. The numbers speak for themselves, but it’s worth repeating: PPA is committed to helping photographers grow sustainable businesses. And we can’t wait to find new ways to do that in the year to come.

Thank you to our members for being a part of our community!