Hey there, fellow photographers!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been elected to the prestigious Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Council.
I am one of the three councilors representing Tennessee and among the 150 councilors from the United States and Canada.
The PPA, founded in 1868, is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association.
It supports photography professionals, aiming to elevate the craft and business of photography. This member-owned and member-run organization relies on its Council to govern and guide the association.
Elected every three years, Council members handle essential business matters, including bylaw changes and the election of the PPA Board of Directors.
I’m excited to contribute to this significant work.
A Commitment to Excellence
In addition to my new role on the PPA Council, I serve on the board of directors for both the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA).
My dedication to fostering growth among fellow photographers drives me to continuously seek excellence.
I’m also proud to be the co-author of Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans.
This book is a comprehensive guide designed to help both aspiring and established horse photographers, and it’s available on Amazon.
The Power of Community Involvement
For aspiring and established photographers, getting involved in local, state, and national photography organizations can be transformative.
These organizations offer invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and a platform for continuous learning.
By participating actively, you can:
Expand Your Network: Meet like-minded professionals, mentors, and potential clients. Building relationships within these communities can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Access Educational Resources: Stay ahead of industry trends and enhance your skills through workshops, seminars, and conferences.
Gain Recognition: Participate in competitions and exhibitions to showcase your work and gain recognition in the photography community.
Shape the Future: Have a voice in the decisions that impact the photography industry. Your input can help shape policies, standards, and practices.
And Finally…
I encourage every photographer to get involved with organizations like PPA. The support and opportunities they provide can significantly impact your career and personal growth.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve as one of your Tennessee representatives to the PPA Council. I am excited about helping to create the future of the photographic industry – even if it is in just one small part.
Let’s continue to elevate our craft and support each other. Together, we can achieve great things.
Are you a photographer who wants to learn from Betsy?
Want to learn more about what is going on behind the scenes at Ride the Sky Equine Photography? Join the Herd! You can sign up at the link in the footer or send a message here.
Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever. She also tries to spend some time educating and entertaining aspiring photographers by teaching and blogging about whatever catches her fancy at the moment.
Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.
Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).
Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.
Ride the Sky Equine Photography is based in Chattanooga, TN, Ride the Sky Equine Photography works on location in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, brand building, goal setting, time management, and business workflows, Betsy is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field...get it?)