The following post will mostly make sense to only those who are in the photography business, namely, the wedding photography business.
Let me first disclose that I am not a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photograph (AIPP). As such, my opinions, no matter how objective they may be, are going to be biased one way or another.
Last night, the AIPP made the following statement on their Facebook Business Page:
To provide some context as to why this statement was issued, a Queensland photographer has allegedly taken the money of many couples and families without fulfilling his contractual duties. I cannot verify these details nor is my intention to do so. The reason why I am writing tonight is because, the AIPP, issued a public statement via their social network machine, which in my opinion, was not very well thought out.
To be quite frank, the above statement was a slap across my (chubby) face.
I have worked hard. I have worked very hard to get to where I am right now. Although I am only sixteen months into the business, I have built a reputable portfolio (often at my own expense) and have many happy clients to attest to my character and efforts. I started from scratch, from a client base of zero. I had the good fortune of having three awesome mentors (Edward Hor, Dave Reid, and Zakari Kha). I didn’t have a big friends list to offer my services to. I went into calculated debt to fund capital. I forked out money to pay for models, for album samples and prints. Up until late 2011, I had accrued a debt of $14,000 AUD. And within a year, I had managed to repay these borrowings all back. I may not have the AIPP logo, but I sure have worked hard and pushed myself to become better and better.
I would like to become an accredited member of the AIPP. But I do not meet the requirements. I don’t have a minimum of two years of professional experience, nor do I have an equivalent form of formal training. I won’t hit the 2-year requirement till the end of 2012. So for me, spending $310.00 to become an ‘emerging’ member is money wasted. A business is designed to make money. And every dollar that I spend now, must be very well thought out because, income in this industry, is never guaranteed.
The core issue of the photography industry, as a collective, is the low entry barrier. With the digital era, things changed. When the major camera manufacturers saw cash opportunities in selling low-end DSLRs to the masses, the game changed. Hell, the whole game was turned upside down, inside out.
To illustrate this fact, let me introduce you to Exhibit A. Myself.
Without the digital era and the economies of scale of mass production low-end DSLRs, Daniel K Cheung (the business), would never have been possible. Without a cheap DSLR, I would never have thought of becoming a professional photographer. That is, earning from photography alone. Without this low entry barrier, all the work on my website would not exist today.
A common argument made by colleagues in my field can be summed up like these:
“There are too many mum-photographers.”
“The market is flooded.”
“Anyone can buy a camera these days and call themselves a professional photographer.”
“Prices are rock bottom. I can’t compete with that!”
And so on and so forth.
Whilst these statements carry some degree of truth, these are misplaced attention. To me, focusing on such thoughts will have a negative impact. Being bitter and angry won’t bring in more customers. Being judgmental on others will not increase your sales. And being negative, will only breed further negativity.
As one of the many wedding photographers available in the world, I chose to distinguish myself by focusing on the reason why I do what I do. I like to tell stories. So that is exactly what I’ll do. A fellow photographer, Matt from Matt & Katie, wrote a very good blog post the other day. You should read it. Like seriously. Like Matt, I share the same view that too many photographers look and judge others, when they could be spending that time on reflecting and improving themselves. At the end of the day, it is your business, and it is your efforts and determination that will decide whether it will succeed or not.
Therefore, the above arguments are meaningless. They do more harm than good. They are excuses. They are distractions.
So back to the AIPP.
Photography is an art form. It is also a business. The business of photography can never, should never, be regulated due to its inherent subjective nature. The only thing that can be regulated (to an extent), is the professionalism of its members. This is where the AIPP comes in.
Over the past few months, I have noticed the AIPP pushing its campaign for the public to take notice of their logo. As an outsider (a non-member), I felt extremely alienated. I could not shake the feeling that the underlying tone of their message was to undermine all non-AIPP members. It came across as a fear campaign.
The primary failure of the AIPP is to recruit new members. New members are the ones who will shape the future. New members are the ones who will change the industry from the inside. New members are the ones who will steer the public and educate them on acceptable practices such as customer service, business practices, standard of work, and other things.
As I said earlier, I want to become a member of the AIPP, but I do not see the immediate benefits of doing so. I could apply to join their ranks and play by their rules, but I’ve never been one to play games. I did enough of that in my old desk job filled with red tape and office politics. Starting my own business represented freedom from all that. Hence why I feel so strongly against jumping through the hoops to obtain accreditation. The means simply did not equate to the end.
The AIPP logo does not represent a financial gain. It shouldn’t. I want to earn the logo by my own merit. The logo should be an award, instead of a marketing incentive. Perhaps I am a bit too precious to think that I deserve accreditation already, but as I said, I am quite biased on this point. Either way, I think the AIPP has gone about this the wrong way.
The only way to educate the public (aka, our clients) about ‘non-professionals’ (and the risks of using a non-professional), is by recruiting said non-professionals. Instead of alienating, embrace. Instead of pushing, pull. My honest belief is that pushing a campaign towards the public is the wrong move and wrong allocation of resources. Instead, the AIPP would benefit more by encouraging non-members to join. Educate the masses. Knowledge is power. Either way, the AIPP gets revenue, professionalism is practiced by more photographers, and the end-user (the public) gets a better experience for their money. Everybody wins.
Some things cannot be avoided. Like in the Queensland photographer’s case, there are bound to be more like it. In a capitalist social model, business, no matter big or small, will fail. There are no guarantees. Large financial institutions have crumbled. Others have required massive bail-outs. So why not a small business such as a boutique wedding photography business?
Regulation does not prevent businesses going south and into the red, and possibly into insolvency. However, it should at the very least, minimise the fallout.
I can only empathise with the pain and anguish that the couples have felt knowing that they will never receive their wedding photos. I cannot begin to understand the amount of disappointment they have experienced. But I do know one thing, that I will push myself to be better each day, so that I will never ever disappoint another human being again.
AIPP, we shall meet soon. Very soon.
PS – Feel free to leave a comment below. You may disagree or agree, or even have a neutral stance. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Jo Lynch - I have posted too often on your posts/statuses and blogs, but I enjoy reading your opinion on these topics as I feel very similar. These points are well articulated, which is more than we can say for the Facebook wall of the AIPP.
You can rest easy when I say that you deliver work that well exceeds the quality of many AIPP members.
Aaron - I agree with a lot of what you are saying. It is sheer pride of the AIPP to suggest that only they can deliver quality, reliable photography with a business model that has integrity as a pillar. I remember last year being approached by a handful of brides because their photographer had moved and cancelled their contracts. This year we moved and have honoured every contract without detriment to our valued customers. All by a business that after 5 yrs of successful running is still not eligible to apply. A good business will meet the code of conduct standards regardless of membership.
admin - Thanks Jo. I prefer not to get into the debate of whether a certain photographer should be accredited or not based on their portfolio, as business is one thing, and art is an entirely different subject.
So .. what am I wearing now Jo?
Dan - The AIPP can change the industry. It will take time. And a lot of feathers will be ruffled. But there needs to be a body of people who will see it through over a period of many years. Change does not occur overnight, and the perception of professionalism and practice of professionalism also takes time to nurture. In my opinion, this is where the AIPP has a role to play, and are the only ones who have the backing of many photographers, to do so.
Once again, I go back to my point that all businesses have a risk in failure in a capitalist economic model. Take insolvency out of the equation, you are then left with poor business management and subpar business practices. At the end of the day, the AIPP needs to realise that the only people who can educate the public on the merits of the ‘logo’ are the photographers, because a bride/groom/couple do not select a photographer based on a logo, instead, they meet with the photographer, review their portfolio, review their personality etc. In essence, change must be through the photographers. And the only way to do this is by bringing us together, instead of marginalising between members and non-members.
There will always be zealots. There will always be haters. It is just how things work. Ignore these distractions, and work on benefiting everyone, as opposed to a select few.
The photographer who sparked the ACA episode should by right be investigated under criminal law. There are no excuses for what he did. Having no copies of the images to deliver, no matter what circumstances, is just poor form. I trust that the authorities will pursue him with the full extent of the law. People deserve better.
Mark Buckley - Hi Daniel,
So great to hear you addressing this issue, I have had similar experience and thoughts about it myself.
I have been an “Emerging Member” of the AIPP for that last 18months or more. I should say I love the concept of what the AIPP presents to the emerging photographer however, I am not that happy with what, in reality, it delivers.
I have spent a small fortune on workshops and seminars and have espoused the benefits of the AIPP online. When I recently asked someone how I go about getting my accreditation I was simply asked, as you say, how long had I been a professional photographer? When I answered close to 2 years I was asked what percentage of my overall earnings was from photography. I must admit I felt alienated as well and I felt the questions were more exclusive than inclusive. I started to wonder about how willing they were to take my money but not too willing to help me get that accreditation, which by its very nature, excludes me as a professional photographer in any sense of their word.
I came away from that interaction disappointed in the AIPP and disillusioned. I look for and hope for more. I had faith in what they stood for and gave them my good hard earned money towards that end.
The AIPP need to have some area of accreditation that allows an Emerging photographer, paying their fees and meeting their points criteria by the required amounts and then some, so as to be inclusive for those who are seriously good practicing professionals and who take up with the AIPP in the good faith. These genuinely practicing photographers and serious business people too would like to be accepted by, and are able to be, in some way, included and not excluded by the logo.
Daniel, you are right when you say there is no value in the AIPP for an emerging member. They appear, by the very nature of their current exclusive structure, to be discouraging the emerging photographer to join their ranks rather than the opposite. I have done so many great seminars, workshops and more with the AIPP over the last 18 months or more and I’m sure there are many more emerging or student photographers pouring a great deal of money into the coffers of the AIPP. Surely it would be worth there while to value add for this important investor in there ranks?
No one in the AIPP in my state probably knows who I am. I was actually amazed at a recent major event at how many significant members of the AIPP even walk passed me with out saying hello. The environment did not feel welcoming for the most part. I know many of them. I have seen them at a number of events on a number of occasions. Not once did anyone of them stop and ask me at any of their seminars or workshops who I was, what I did or where I was going, how was I going etc. From the times when I tried to speak to someone, hope someone would approach me, I have to say I came away with the feeling that they were beginning to appear more exclusive and more about protecting those who were already accredited but that they were quick to take my money just the same. I did speak with many wonderful people at these events but mostly outsiders endeavouring to become insiders as well.
Their environment at these events, (The AIPPs), as I have experienced it, is not as welcoming for the emerging photographer as it could or should be. It makes me wonder if, when they are saying, “for goodness sake . . . look for the logo!” that they mean look out for and avoid me too, after all, I am simply an emerging member photographer (of their very own ranks), but alas, yes, one “without” a “logo” or “accreditation” and thus excluded by the very organisation I subscribe to. Perhaps the AIPP is more about controlling the number of so called “accredited professional photographers” within our industry and is ultimately striving for absolute exclusive rights. I can’t really say this is the case but it sure make one wonder. I’m sure it would prefer it that way and understandably so.
The AIPP need s to look carefully to the future. It needs to foster emerging photographers and take them on as a serious part of their organization and our industry. Should they fail to do so they may find another organisation will take up the challenge or perhaps even an emerging organisation catering to the needs of the fledgling photographers of the industry, and thus procuring the future photographer away from the AIPP and thus its very future as well.
Come on AIPP, you want photographers and the general consuming public to pick up the gauntlet for you, then you need to pick it up for all the serious emerging photographers as well. It is your obligation, by you own admission and philosophy, to yourself, the current industry, the emerging industry and to the general public who use our product and services to do so. Do you really want to foster the photography industry of our country for the future or do you just want to keep it in house for the exclusive few? Come on the AIPP, “for goodness sake . . . help the logo grow!”
Dan - It saddens me to read of your experience. Socialising is not my strong suit, and I am not one to join groups or attend workshops so that I may make myself known. I trust that my work will speak for itself over time.
James Day, wrote an excellent reflective blog post the other day that to me, was what the industry needed: a cold hard look at itself.
The emerging wedding photography industry is predominantly newcomers. Newcomers, who have had limited formal photography training, and have either dropped their old careers, or have always had an appreciation for the art. Accreditation is a very dangerous word to use. It has implications. It has legal ramifications that I don’t think the AIPP is actually aware of. To become an accredited professional, in the world, for example, engineers, lawyers, health practitioners, and accountants, accreditation is a serious process, governed by institutions and high-level associations. The AIPP, in this regard, is really really small. But here in Australia, it is all we have, and it would be folly to shoot it down and point a blaming finger towards such a body.
A lot of criticism by non-members towards the AIPP is directed at subjective notions. For example, too many times have I heard a photographer comment on the poor photography of an accredited member of the AIPP. To me, photography will always remain subjective. Good, bad, poor, excellent, will all change with time. Professionals must be held accountable for their actions. There is a lot of opportunity here for the AIPP to take seize. Change requires time and patience.
My specific situation prevents me from paying for ‘emerging’ status. I will be moving abroad and the AIPP logo is useless to me in terms of making money. $310 is loose change when it comes to the cost of running a small business, but at the same time, a dollar spent is a dollar spent. As a business owner, I need to see that each dollar I spend, will net me something in return.
On the flip side, I can see the benefit of me joining the AIPP. I will have access to meetings. To resources. To all sorts of things. But as I said, I’m not good at socialising, and from advocates of AIPP, you only get as much from the organisation, as you put into it.
I’m unsure what to do. The AIPP to me, today, doesn’t represent an edge in business. But it is far easier to point my finger at them, than at myself. Perhaps I will put my money where my mouth is, and just give it a go? I mean, AppleCare just cost me $350 *wink wink*.
Mark, I can only say that the negative experience you had may not be representative of the collective. The AIPP is not an evil institution. The AIPP is made up of photographers just like you and me. But as an institution, they have a long way towards changing the mentality of those on the inside, and those you are on the outside.
Josh M - I have been a full AIPP member for just over two years. I was an emerging member for two years before that. I did the mentoring program, which is insane value. I immediately jumped on the NSW council because I wanted to be involved. Along with some hard working people, we’ve started our own Newcastle and Hunter Valley official chapter of the AIPP. Our next social breakfast is likely to have more non-members than members. The AIPP and it’s members has been one of the the greatest resources to me as I’ve built my business from nothing to supporting a family of four. None of it has been because I’ve used the logo.
So I’m angry. Because of one social faux pas on Facebook, everyone seems to feel they have the right to weigh in on how the AIPP is elitist, antagonistic to non-members and just in it for the money, and of completely no use to them. It’s completely wrong and spitting in the face of dozens of volunteers such as myself who work tirelessly for change, in roles behind the scenes where our efforts go into running low cost educational events, promoting professional photography (yes, gasp, AIPP members) and fighting increasing government bureaucracy and legalities.
The biggest barrier to the AIPP doing more? Money. For every photographer who hangs back and doesn’t join, that’s a membership fee that doesn’t go towards promoting professional photography. You don’t like the perceived negativity in the current marketing campaign? Suggest a better one.
You talk of these “serious” associations? The accounting and engineering ones built themselves up just as the AIPP is trying to do. The CPA had a very similar advertising campaign in fact. Others we forced by government regulation, because they would or could not self-regulate, and you do not want that. Others yet (retirement villages) were getting such an incredibly bad view by the public, that they created a body to regulate themselves and improve that perception, successfully.
So to share my opinion, it’s myopic and individualistic to stand back and nit-pick at what OUR professional association could do better, when your energy would be better focused on joining and working for change from within. Yes, even as an emerging member.
A few responses:
- As Dan said, the actual quality of the work is subjective. Members pass a portfolio review when they join, but the core requirement of AIPP members is the Code of Ethics, which is essentially to be ethical and honest in your business dealings.
- Aaron: you are eligible to join as a full accredited member after 2 years of being a practicing professional photographer or a minimum 2 year course. I’m curious as to why you think you are not eligible.
- Mark: a significant proportion of AIPP members earn less than $25k a year, the reality is there are a lot of part-timers in the industry. I have no issue with this as long as those part-timers are actually making profit and not subsidising their photography business with their other job.
I am sorry to hear of your experience so far (and which state are you in?). Believe it or not, all these events you’ve attended have likely been run at very close to break-even, the goal is not to profit off you, but rather benefit the members. I can speak for Newcastle in that we’ve been lucky that our recent events have turned a fairly decent profit, but it’s because people have travelled from all over the state when we only budgeted for local members to attend. And those profits will be plowed straight back into promoting the AIPP and cheaper events,
It seems a sore point that emerging members can’t use the logo. Even though I actually saw the use of the logo as a minor issue (it wasn’t promoted as heavily a few years back) I saw becoming a full accredited member as something to aspire to. Submitting my portfolio terrified me. Running a business or shooting for someone else for two years seemed like a pretty low bar in reality. On one hand people complain that apparently anyone is let in (untrue, I know of quite a few rejections) while at the same time complaining its unfair you have to be a professional for two whole years. Which is it? Seems like a lose-lose situation whatever the outcome.
I assure you, the AIPP does take emerging members extremely seriously. The mentoring program (1 afternoon a month for a year with a top photographer as mentor) is unmatched for a solid grounding in running a photography business. You’ll find if you contact those photographers you respect (when they’re not running around crazy trying to run an event) they’ll more than likely make some time for you. Better yet, come along to the Event in August and hang out with them for three days – now that’s an experience money can’t buy.
Dan: addressing your final comment. It seems that your attitude is right, except for one point, I think you *should* join up (either the AIPP or the OS equivalent) and meet with some members. It’s tough going it alone, and although yes, your work should speak for itself, ultimately a group will build itself up faster than one working alone. It’s not a surprise that there’s a group of the elite Australian photographers who are all friends – they helped each other grow to that level!
I hope my remarks are helpful. My inbox is always open. :)
Judith Cahill - Great post, I did join AIPP as an emerging member (two weeks ago), I am now setting up my photography business and at the moment doing the business stuff, getting my paperwork sorted and software ready and doing some shooting and getting my “product” ready….(and I know it will be changed a lot)….anyway it is going to be a long process and although I look at others work, I am focussing on Children, families and sport (particularly children’s sport), I am trying to work out what I like to do and what images I like and that will be my product (as long as other people like them too…..
I love photography and am loving setting up my own business and establishing my own identity…..it is so much fun.
So far I have used the contract information from AIPP as a good starting point and got insurance quotes and it is nice to not feel so alone in the big wide world of establishing yourself
Great post though with some food for thought. :)
Peter - Ethics is a funny thing… I questioned this with AIPP on how many members use pirated software to edit their photographs. For a long time I have seen the devalue in AIPP with the availability of technology ready for the masses. Any person can now video in 4K and capture a still of emotion from the video footage and then edit that photo with a filter effect. I would not waste my time on bullshit membership fees which can and do go towards my next lens purchase.
Now take a look at the 2012 winner that is labelled a “Natural Light Photographer” I just laugh at how the selected Australian Photographer of the year can only shoot in natural light…. Just goes to show AIPP is a laughing stock.
Dan - It has been many months since I wrote this post. I guess I haven’t really thought about this topic for quite some time.
Since I published my opinion, I did in fact join the AIPP as an emerging member. I attended a very worthwhile Jesh seminar and that has been my involvement with the membership thus far. I guess I don’t really care about it. I take back my comment about the value of emerging membership as I do think there are very real values.
Whether or not I pursue the Accredited status has not been on my horizon. I’ve much more important things to deal with.
I don’t think it is fair to lay blame to an organisation for the fault of its members. The members are human and humans make mistakes. What got me many months ago, was the attitude the AIPP had towards marketing itself as being better and that photographers who were accredited by them were inherently better.
Right now, the AIPP represents learning opportunities and opportunities to meet other people in the industry. I believe membership can indirectly bring in a lot of opportunities. Judging other photographers in their abilities is akin to flogging a dead horse. People like different things.
Peter - Best way to learn is work get experience with a master photographer and complete the Tafe or University course or 5 years professional experience. What has the cost been so far to be an emerging member? Wait till you become a fully fledge scout eagle and get silver awards and fake points to score slowly too then call yourself a Master Photographer. I left AIPP and all the egos of many too big for their own shoes and focused on my own adventure. Being picked up and recognized by Leica has been my achievement and having a Leica camera engraved with my name has been my highlight for the work I have done in this world.
Good luck with your journey into photography.
Regards
Peter