What is TPPA (Texas Professional Photographers Association, Inc.)?
TPPA is a non-profit association serving professional photographers and photographic enthusiast from across the US and beyond.

What is the purpose of TPPA?
Our mission is to provide all photographers with an opportunity for success regardless of their professional aspirations, creative desires or personal interest in the craft of photography. Everything we do is done to provide our members an outstanding experience and to help them become better photographers, better small businesses and better connected.

Who is behind TPPA’s decisions?
Consider this:

• We are member run and member led!
• Our entire leadership team are also members.
• Officers are elected by members to oversee the activities of the association and to serve the entire membership.

Is TPPA part of the PPA Community Network (Professional Photographers of America)?
As an association, TPPA is in the PPA Community Network. It is important to understand, we are completely separate entities, but we work together to bring a stronger experience for photographers. You do NOT have to join PPA to be a member of TPPA.

PPA offers its’ members the opportunity to earn recognition for service, education and success in photographic competition. The instrument that is used in keeping up with a member’s progress is knows as a “Certificate of Merit”.

Merits are used toward earning various PPA Degrees such as:
– Photographic Craftsman Degree (based on service)
– Master of Photography Degree (based on image competition)
– Master Artist Degree (based on image editing skills)
– Master of Wedding Photography Degree (based on images created on the day of the wedding)

Because TPPA is networked with PPA, we can provide our members with easier access to opportunities to earn merits. TPPA awards merits to our members who are also PPA members for attending our events or serving as an instructor at a qualifying event such as the Texas School of Professional Photography or the I Heart Photography Conference and Expo as well as other TPPA Events.

The bottom line is, you earn your degrees faster when you are a member of TPPA because you can earn more merits.

Do I have to live in Texas to join TPPA?
Absolutely not! We have members from over 44 states and beyond. Photographers join TPPA to take advantage of the outstanding education we provide our members, including the annual Texas School of Professional Photography. This week-long school takes place every year at the end of April and attracts over 1000 photographers from across the globe.

Many of our members living outside Texas participate in our Annual Photographic Competition because we have a very high standard. Winning in Texas is a big deal!

I am not a professional photographer. Can I still join?
Of course! We would love to have you. Photographic enthusiasts enjoy getting their education from the same place the pros go to improve their craft. We feature classes that all photographers will enjoy include classes on landscape, wildlife, floral, bird and street photography. Our official publication, The Photographer Magazine comes out 6 times a year and is loaded with article that will help you do more with your camera, be inspired by other outstanding photographers and help you break into the business if that is your goal. Even if you are not a professional, you have access to all of the education, competitions and benefits that TPPA has to offer.

How much does it cost to join?
Membership is only $120 a year or just $12 a month. With so much value that we have to offer, there is no reason that you should delay becoming a part of the TPPA Family! Join now!