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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