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Alberta Professional Photographers Association

The Alberta Professional Photographers Association (APPA) has been active since its inception in the early 1960s. Since then it has developed a breadth of activities for its members to gain from.

As a member of the Canadian Association of Photographers and Illustrators in Communications (CAPIC), some of the APPA's activities are performed in conjunction with its national counterpart. APPA is a non-government organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the discipline of photography.

Photography, being the diverse practice it is, draws individuals from varied backgrounds. Some of the APPA's members have professional training in such areas as portraiture, outdoor family pictures, studio based and wedding photography. Other APPA members are simply dedicated and talented photographers who have, without formalized learning, developed high caliber capabilities.

With the goal of creating a benchmark for photographers, the APPA has built up an accreditation process that is facilitated by the CAPIC. The accreditation process entails submission of a portfolio to a national jury, which takes skills in such areas as lighting and composition into account.

Once approved for membership, an individual may move through various levels of member status as their skills are demonstrated. The APPA grants such internally endorsed titles as a degree and masters. The masters degree can be upgraded by having bars added to denote higher achievement. While not a degree granting institution, the APPA and its federal counterpart have decidedly made strides towards improving the regard for photographers while also addressing issues, such as copyright laws, that directly impact the field.

Other activities that the APPA engages in include conventions and arranging for visiting speakers. With over 200 active members, the APPA's presence is significant in sustaining the representation of photography in Alberta.

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