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Archive 2012 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #1 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

I couldn't be sure which would be the most effective/appropriate forum, but this is more likely a Pro related topic.

Do we have many members of the ASMP here?

Would an "Emerging Associate" membership ($140/ year. . .) be a good investment?

My present work does not have health insurance available. No group. . .no discount. Seems like a way to become part of a group plan. I'm in my late 40's, so I need to start getting serious about coverage.

What about equipment insurance? A twelve or fifteen thousand dollar bag of tricks is a big package to not have protection for. Do they offer that, and is it a good program?

Are the presumed discounts for members on the various listed companies, e.g, airfare, car rental, Mac sales, etc., worth anything? Has anyone used them?

I have so many questions about things, I'll need a dozen screen names to prevent contempt for my threads poping up again!

I do try to research first, but some things are best understood by the experience of others.

Cheers,
Dennis

Jul 01, 2012 at 11:42 AM

xtremediver
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p.1 #2 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

For equipment insurance you can't beat being a Professional Photographer of America member-$15,000 coverage is included in your membership dues.

Jul 01, 2012 at 12:02 PM

pstreet
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p.1 #3 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

I've been a member of ASMP for over twenty years. Smartest thing I ever did was joining.

There really are no benefits for insurance that you can't get without joining. The other benefits can be substantial. Every time I buy a Mac I save more than my yearly membership dues. I am about to change to Livebooks and I get a discount there. There are other discounts I take advantage of depending on travel, services, etc.

I have also gotten work off ASMP's Find a Photographer site every year it has been active with a high of eight jobs one year and a low of one yearly. Those eight jobs paid for my twenty years of dues alone.

Of course your dues also support ASMP's lobbying program and legal advocacy on the benefit of all photographers.

You also get to network with other photographers in the field of commercial and editorial photography - the Architectural Group being one I have found worth every dime I pay ASMP yearly. Of course this means taking part, going to programs, and, if you really wish to benefit, being on a local board.

Of course ASMP is not for everyone. PPA and their local and state sub groups are the place for those who wish to do retail photography - portrait and wedding folks as ASMP is aimed at those that license their work as their main source of income. For those editorial, commercial, advertising, architectural, food, stock, corporate, industrial, and all the other type of licensing photographers that do not come to mind, I believe ASMP is the best trade association to be part of.

Jul 01, 2012 at 04:36 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #4 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

That's great info. Thanks for taking the time to post that.

Cheers,
Dennis

Jul 01, 2012 at 09:03 PM

photo-shooter
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p.1 #5 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Just as above, it all depends on what are you looking for, but in contrast, I may suggest, join both, all for different reasons.

PPA is offering this year,for the first time, a FREE 15 K equipment insurance included with the membership, which you can pay on a monthly basis ( under 30 bucks a month).

THis means your bag( cameras and computer) worth 15 thousand bucks is now protected, even if you do not use the PPA membership for anything else.

This is-by far- a no-brainer.

Now, do not forget they also have a Commercial Division, never as active and populated as the Social/Events Division but nonetheless, one more exposure of your work in a FInd A Photographer search engine.

ASMP has been working more on training members in the business aspects of the trade. THis works well for photographers in commercial markets. THose doing events, or clients direct ( local companies),etc will learn some ways to improve their marketing skills, but business-wise, PPA may bring out more help for them.

As above, the difference is: do you license your work on a time-based fee, or do you provide it as a one time fee kind of deal? Once you answer yourself, you may take a pick, or choose to be in both.

Both PPA and ASMP provide a list of benefits, seen through discounts from major hardware and software vendors. THe list is almost identical for both groups.

Jorge

Jul 02, 2012 at 09:39 AM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #6 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Thanks Jorge.

Since I am not sure where my photography will take me, you make good points for both. I ill take a good look at them.

A discount on an Imac this fall would be helpful in paying for membership! I plan to travel out west this fall as well, so flight and accomodation discounts would be nice. Having your bag insured. . .priceless!

Jul 02, 2012 at 10:40 AM

photo-shooter
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p.1 #7 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Dennis, if you pick the top of the line products, like the fastest iMac with some add-ons you will certainly find a good discount from either of the member benefits from either organization.
You may end up getting the Apple Care basically for free, after the discounts. An Applecare insurance for a laptop gets very close to $300....

Flight, accommodations, Rental car discounts, all of this is helpful and you will get equivalent offers from both orgs.

What I find useful is the basic 15 K insurance for cameras,lenses and computer equipment. If you need more, as the business grow and you get more equipment, you can expand the basic coverage ( and you pay for it of course), but if you just need to cover your basic traveling equipment, you may be well-off with the PPA insurance deal, just free with membership.

Another way to establish comparison, is that ASMP has local Chapters, covering almost all US states, including Alaska!!
This means you may greatly benefit from meeting your local peers, attending the Chapter events, seminars,etc (many are just free or super-discounted for members) and then you can get a sense of community, if there is a Chapter near your place.

PPA handles itself through 2 large ( huge) scale events per year, so members have to fly ( Orlando, New Orleans or Las Vegas) to attend these events, and benefit from training, seminars, workshops,etc.

Each has a different dynamics. If you have an ASMP Chapter nearby, I would strongly suggest to visit them, give a shot to a couple of events/meetings, mingle around , and see how it works for you.

Jorge

Jul 02, 2012 at 11:02 AM

xtremediver
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p.1 #8 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

photo-shooter wrote:

Just as above, it all depends on what are you looking for, but in contrast, I may suggest, join both, all for different reasons.

PPA is offering this year,for the first time, a FREE 15 K equipment insurance included with the membership, which you can pay on a monthly basis ( under 30 bucks a month).

THis means your bag( cameras and computer) worth 15 thousand bucks is now protected, even if you do not use the PPA membership for anything else.

This is-by far- a no-brainer.

Now, do not forget they also have a Commercial Division, never as active and populated as the Social/Events Division but nonetheless, one more exposure of your work in a FInd A Photographer search engine.

ASMP has been working more on training members in the business aspects of the trade. THis works well for photographers in commercial markets. THose doing events, or clients direct ( local companies),etc will learn some ways to improve their marketing skills, but business-wise, PPA may bring out more help for them.

As above, the difference is: do you license your work on a time-based fee, or do you provide it as a one time fee kind of deal? Once you answer yourself, you may take a pick, or choose to be in both.

Both PPA and ASMP provide a list of benefits, seen through discounts from major hardware and software vendors. THe list is almost identical for both groups.

Jorge

Like he said:
I enjoy attending the ASMP events and trainings that the local chapter hosts, very educational. I also am a member of the PPA and a local affiliate which is also beneficial-JUST JOIN BOTH and get the benefits that each have to offer.

Jul 02, 2012 at 11:31 AM

Mr Joe
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p.1 #9 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

1. Can a current ASMP member tell me what the discount would be on an 11" Macbook Air?
(2.0 Ghz i7, 128MB, 8GB RAM if it makes a difference).

2. The only bummer about PPA or ASMP insurance is it covers gear, but not liability -- as I understand it, liability is separate and not cheap. For the sake of comparison, $15K in gear coverage and $2 million in liability with TCP insurance is just over $500 per year.

And ASMP Members beware -- Fireman's Fund insurance is really terrible to work with -- I had major headaches with them over the year just trying to pay my bill. They are very unorganized and eventually I got tired of the headaches and switched insurers to Great American (through TCP insurance) -- this also saved me $50/year.

Jul 02, 2012 at 05:33 PM

photo-shooter
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p.1 #10 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Joe, I am a commercial photographer, so ASMP was my original choice. Then I recently also grabbed PPA's membership, to combine all benefits.
I never took insurance from ASMP offers. Never liked them. Now, once you are PPA member, you can get from them Liability insurance, in addition to the equipment insurance, and that is a god combo that I strongly recommend to do.

Usually top MB pros fully customized would go for $ 200-300 less. I got my Applecare for my MBP technically for free, given the discount I got from membership benefit.

For the macbook air you would not get more than $100. Again, the benefit is seen with bigger invoices.

Jorge

Jul 02, 2012 at 06:04 PM

Mr Joe
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p.1 #11 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Cool. Thanks, Jorge!

Jul 02, 2012 at 06:53 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #12 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Interesting. . .

I went to the PPA website and you have to be a full member to opt in to their Gear protection package. They also do not seem to offer health insurance.

ASMP offers a health insurance plan, but because I live in Maine, it isn't available. Reason 1000 and 1 to leave this State! If I move to Montana, which is likely, then all of their health care coverage is available.

ASMP's equipment insurance seems to be for Students/Faculty. And it is through Firemans Fund, which Mr. Joe pointed out, may not be that easy to deal with.

Is equipment ony insurance available elsewhere? I guess I could check my Homeowners plan.

Not sure I want to put out $500 for association memberships quite yet. May stick with the ASMP Emerging Associate membership @ $140 for the first year, just to start. Then see which way the wind blows. There are a lot of educational benefits on the PPA, so who knows. There are E-books available pretty cheap, and more than I could read for the next year.

A lot to think about, especially with everything else I have to think about. Could go with the ASMP and a battery grip for the 5D MIII and join PPA later

is there another association out there that is the best of both worlds?

Jul 03, 2012 at 09:56 AM

billkoe
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p.1 #13 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

I've been an ASMP member since 1986 and I've never looked back. During a few very lean years I almost let my membership lapse but am glad I didn't.

In addition to those things mentioned already, I've gotten some good legal direction (NOT advice) from Vic Perlman, their counsel. Also, Dogbark who hosts my site offers a good discount to ASMP members.

In a couple of years I'll be eligible to be a life member. That means FREE!

Jul 03, 2012 at 02:00 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #14 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Free is good!

Thanks Bill.

Jul 03, 2012 at 08:31 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #15 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

I ended up joining both. ASMP actually provided me with more of the discounts I could use right away. Therefore, it paid for itself, and then some.

I joined the PPA, because my insurance company would cover $12,000 worth of gear if I scheduled it, for $188/year. Will I need the liability coverage that PPA provides? Probably not for awhile. But it would cost a heck of a lot more than the difference to get it when I need it. Then there is the educational opportunities and networking that you can do with PPA. So, I am a PPA member as well.

Has anyone found any significant benefit for the ASMP- MEDIA I.D.?

Aug 01, 2012 at 07:16 AM

Carson Wilcox
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p.1 #16 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Can anyone give me any first hand review of the insurance PPA provides. I dropped out of PPA a couple of years ago because they didn't meet my needs but remained a member of NANPA mostly for the insurance. But it looks like a PPA membership will provide basically the same insurance I'm paying for with NANPA

??

Thanks for any info on this.
Carson

Aug 07, 2012 at 04:12 PM

markd61
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p.1 #17 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Carson Wilcox wrote:
Can anyone give me any first hand review of the insurance PPA provides. I dropped out of PPA a couple of years ago because they didn't meet my needs but remained a member of NANPA mostly for the insurance. But it looks like a PPA membership will provide basically the same insurance I'm paying for with NANPA

??

Thanks for any info on this.
Carson
I recently opted into the free PPA insurance. After I got the certificate I had my insurance agent review it as I had been considering a policy from him. He felt it was great coverage for free but noted that it had a $250 deductible for first loss and $500 for second and $750 for the third loss in a rolling 12 month period. An additional $250 deductible applied for breakage. Loss would be covered for current market value, not replacement value. IOW if you lost a Canon 5DmkII to theft the current market value for the body is approximately $1800 less $250 deductible so you would get a check for $1550 as I understand it. The gear is covered on location and worldwide but not in unlocked vehicles or "under mysterious disappearance" clause. The extra cost insurance covers unlocked vehicles and the "mysterious circumstances" and gives replacement value.
I am still thinking of the policy my insurance agent is offering that has a zero deductible and replacement value but I am not sure what the cost is.

Regarding other benefits of PPA, I like the legal advice they offer and the indemnification trust. I do not believe that is a complete liability coverage but rather a sort of "Errors and omissions" coverage that a traditional liability policy would not cover. E.G. contract disputes and image loss etc.

I joined as I really like their SMS program that will sort out your business if you really wish to make money in your business. They are really focused on photographers running their businesses well and actually making a profit. They have a number of schools across the country where one can hone their skills.

In the past few years my business has taken a very commercial turn that has prompted me to look at ASMP membership. I will be joining later this year as it seems to offer what I need in terms of talking to other pros in the commercial field. (Sorry, but the Pro Digital Corner in FM forums does not cut it.)

The cost is significant but it is a fact of professional life.
As for the discounts, I do not decide based on the discounts. I choose based on the fact that I can become a part of a group that will talk to me openly about the business, not what kind of gear I should buy or what seminar to attend. There will always be gear talk but when it is a business that you have been making a living in for 10+ years the real topics are not what the hobbyist dwells on.

Aug 08, 2012 at 11:31 PM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #18 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Withe the liability, they give the scenario of (as best I can recall) Somebody on your set, e.g., the client, whacks his head on a light stand. . .you are covered. I don't recall that it is simply for data loss or contract issues.

Aug 09, 2012 at 06:24 AM

Carson Wilcox
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p.1 #19 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

Thanks Mark, I did look more closely at the policy last night and even though I've never filed a claim on my current policy the BIG deductibles on the PPA policy bother me. As I just renewed my current policy I'm going to give it a lot of thought before I make a change. I may just take another look at it next year when my current policy expires.

Thanks again
Carson

Aug 09, 2012 at 08:02 AM

Dennis M 1064
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p.1 #20 · ASMP Membership? Worth a look?

I don't think that the PPA equipment insurance is a 'great' policy, by any means. That being said, I am looking at the membership fees as the cost of being in the community and having access to its benefits. The insurance is just a part of being a member. If I focus on the $300 as being the price of the policy, I would be very unhappy with it. At the moment, it is better than a stick in the eye. I will re-evaluate my situation at this time next year and decide if I was able to take advantage of the benefits of membership, and if it is worth the money. If not, then I can always schedule my equipment on my homeowners policy. At the mount, I just cringe at the idea of giving Allstate one more extra penny.

As mentioned, there is an up-charge, which will turn your 'courtesy' equipment coverage into a realistic insurance program through the PPA.

Aug 09, 2012 at 08:47 AM

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