As a Member of ASMP, you are a part of the premier trade association for professional photographers. You and your peers will represent a mix of some of the world’s most exciting and respected, working photographers in a variety of markets around the country, including passionate up and comers who might just become tomorrow’s legends. Your membership offers you enormous benefits that help you run a more profitable business, protect your interests, save you money, and expand your network.
To help you take advantage of ASMP’s resources and gain the highest possible return on your membership, we have summarized the top reasons to join ASMP below.
Top Reasons to Join ASMP
- Unlimited access to an enthusiastic, helpful, and knowledgeable community which includes some of the finest photographers working today
- A fierce advocate who will fight for YOUR voice to be heard in legal, legislative, and business arenas
- Access to business knowledge and expertise that can help you grow your business from day one
- A robust and ever-growing discount program that focuses on the needs of working photographers seeking services, tools, and experiences to help them grow both as business owners and creatives
- Access to unique marketing tools to help clients find and hire you
- A growing focus on member wellness including access to partner programs that offer health insurance and wellness content
- Access to ASMP’s legal forums to have questions answered by qualified professionals and help you find the legal resources you need
View video of ASMP Professional member, Darrel Ellis, for more reasons to join ASMP.
Keep reading for more details on these benefits.
New members receive:
Immediate Help to Start Improving Your Business
All new members receive our own special ASMP edition of John Harrington’s Best Business Practices for Photographers (Third Edition). One of the most well- regarded guides to operating a professional photography business available today that covers basic and advanced business concepts for both emerging pros and seasoned veterans.
Access To A Vibrant And Supportive Community
ASMP is photographers helping photographers.
Connecting with other photographers is a huge benefit of ASMP membership. Our 39 chapters across the country provide a way to establish connections and friendships in your community, learn from one another, and help to ensure that the next generation of photographers embrace the business practices and ethics that are important to all of us.
Imagine having a network of thousands of fellow photographers who are not only willing, but happy, to help you should something go wrong on a job or if you need help finding crew or gear in a new market.
Through ASMP’s specialty groups, industry discussion forums, and social networking sites, you can connect with professionals of similar interests or specialties from around the country — and the world. The more active you are in your Chapter and online, the stronger ASMP’s community grows — a community that has included names like: Richard Avedon, Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, Edward Steichen, Stanley Kubrick, Berenice Abbott, Walker Evans, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Philippe Halsman, Mary Ellen Mark, Mark Seliger, Walter Iooss Jr., David Hume Kennerly, Yousuf Karsh, Bob Krist, Weegee, Art Wolfe, Inez & Vinoodh+Ellen von Unwerth and many more.
Discounts on Tools, Experiences, and Services
Our extensive and ever-growing discount program offers you money-saving opportunities on the products and services your business needs. Many members find that the savings that these discounts provide on even a single large purchase are worth even more than the cost of their membership.
Some of our most notable discount partners include:
Apple – Computers and hardware for creatives
Modern Postcard – Print marketing and mailing services
Think Tank Photo – Camera Bags and travel cases
The Santa Fe Workshops – World class photo education and adventure experiences
Paychex – Payroll and tax filing services
FedEx – Shipping
OfficeDepot – Office supplies
Agency Access – Full-service marketing solution
Moo – Personalized business cards and stationery
B&H – Cameras, grip, and photographic equipment
BorrowLenses.com – Online gear and camera rental
HotelStorm – Exclusive hotel discount worldwide
American Airlines – Media baggage rate discounts for equipment
+ Many More
To get the most up-to-date information on all of ASMP’s special offers and discounts visit www.asmp.org/benefits.
A Voice To Advocate For YOUR Needs
ASMP has established itself as an influential voice in the industry, representing your interests daily on Capitol Hill, in the courts, and in the business world. Our advocacy efforts protect your rights in precedent-setting legal battles on such topics as copyright protections, social media terms of service, drone regulations, tax and labor laws, and more. We also work closely with entities like the U.S. Copyright Office to streamline and modernize the copyright registration process. In this changing digital world, ASMP maintains key contacts to keep apprised of new developments and works with U.S. Senators and Representatives, the legal community, and other organizations to stand up for the issues that matter most to professional photographers. By being an ASMP Member, you have a strong ally and a powerful voice.
Gain Recognition and Find Work
All Professional tier members receive a listing in ASMP’s popular Find A Photographer database, www.FindaPhotographer.org. The newly updated interface of this directory allows potential clients to find and hire ASMP members with ease by both location and specialty. Actively marketed to the buyer community, Find a Photographer even allows members with multiple areas of specialization to set up additional image portfolios — each tuned to a specific aspect of your work. A powerful tool for growing your business that allows us to show your best work to the people that matter — your potential clients.
In addition to Find a Photographer, ASMP also offers members the opportunity to participate in a variety of specialized competitions throughout the year including, food, portraits, architecture, and our annual best-of contest which focuses on long-term projects and personal work. The work selected by our panel of industry-leading jurors is featured in our print magazine Infinity and shared with members and many of the buyers and editors that make up your potential clients.
Education
ASMP is the known leader in business education for professional photographers. These topical, real-world programs feature working photographers as well as experts in related fields like marketing, branding, and communications sharing valuable information that can be used immediately. ASMP is continually evaluating offerings and adding new ones of interest, so be on the lookout for upcoming Strictly Business webinars as well as events taking place in your local chapters. In addition, ASMP’s website provides specific, detailed ‘how-to’ information about vital issues like copyright, model & property releases, terms & conditions for estimates and invoices, and how to license photographs — as well as a growing video library of past seminars and events. It’s all there for the taking.
Insurance
The right insurance can keep your business going even if catastrophe strikes. Taylor & Taylor offers ASMP members a commercial insurance plan, Prosurance, designed specifically for professional photographers. ASMP works with a number of companies to provide a broad range of coverage to address the needs of working photographers. Take advantage of these important offers before you need them.
ASMP is also proud to share that in 2018 it will be rolling out new options for member health insurance through our new benefit partner, Association Health.
Staff Consultation
When you have a question about your membership or need advice on a pressing issue, help is just a phone call — or an email — away. ASMP’s dedicated and experienced staff is an invaluable resource which members can call upon for advice and consultation.
Visit our Membership page to select the membership category that best suits you!