Applicant Info

General Information:
PPGBA is one of the largest local affiliates of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Professional Photographers of California (PPC). PPGBA is a California corporation and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) trade association. (PPA, PPC and PPGBA are separate organizations with independent governance and dues.)

Please check the appropriate areas and complete the application form. Monthly meeting door fees may be credited towards dues if redeemed within 90 days.

Please include the appropriate payment for your selected membership category, plus the $10 application fee with your completed form.

Your join date will be the first of the month following acceptance of your application and your annual dues renewal will fall on that date.

New members are encouraged to get involved in PPGBAs activities and committees. You'll get much more from your association if you actively participate! Contact PPGBAs office for more information

Note: Spouses/life partners may attend monthly general meetings at no charge but for other membership benefits, should join as additional active or sustaining firm.

Benefits of Membership

Application Form

Member Categories and Annual Dues

Active - $105	Is available for assignment or is employed as a staff photographer. Represents self to the public as a professional photographer. Business owners must satisfy federal, state and local requirements. May access all benefits. IMPORTANT: In if you are selling photographs, you must include a copy of your California sales tax permit/resale number.
Additional Active - $70	Employee of a Active member. (Primary Active member required.) Additional status can be transferred to another studio employee with payment of a $5 badge fee.
Sustaining - $105	An individual or firm that provides products and/or services to professional photographers. May access all benefits plus additional benefits specifically for sustaining members.
Sustaining Firm - $70	Employee of a Sustaining Member. (Primary sustaining member required.) Can be transferred to another employee with payment of a $5 badge fee.
Aspiring - $100	An individual engaged in a primary occupation other than photography. May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office or use the PPGBA logo. (This category does not apply if you are in business or represent yourself to the general public as a professional photographer.)
Colleague - $100	An individual engaged in education, publishing, marketing, or another field related to professional photography. May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office or use the PPGBA logo.
Out of State - $45	An individual residing outside California. May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office, or use the logo.
Student - $50	An individual enrolled in a PPA-approved or state accredited school, taking a minimum of 12 credit hours per term (documentation required). May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office or use the PPGBA logo. (This category does not apply if you are in business or represent yourself to the general public as a professional photographer.)
Retired - $40	An individual no longer active in photography. Must have been a member of PPGBA for at least five years and must be at least 50 years of age. May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office or use the PPGBA logo.
Out of State - $45	An individual residing outside California. May access all benefits except the right to vote, hold office or use the PPGBA logo.

PPGBA Code of Ethics:

Before admission to membership in PPGBA, person must, without reservation, solemnly agree to:

Endeavor to maintain a dignity of manner in their behavior, in the presentation of their photography and photographic services, in their appearance and that of their place of business, and in all other forms of public contact.

Observe the highest standard of honest in all transactions, avoiding the use of false, confusing, innacurate and misleading terms, descriptions and claims.

At all times endeavor to produce photographs of a quality equal or superior to the samples they display; to apply their best efforts toward providing the best possible photographic services and to play their part in raising the general standard of photographic craftsmanship.

Show a friendly spirit of cooperation to their fellow professsional photographers and assist them whenever possible, should they be in trouble or difficulty.

At all times avoid the use of unfair competitive practices as determined by any court of competent jursidication, the Federal anti-trust laws and related statutes.

Assist their fellow photographers and share their knowledge with them and encourage them individually and collectively to achieve and maintain the highest standards of quality