From the President

I wanted to start with a passage that was written by Judy Herrmann, in the winter 2008 edition of the ASMP Bulletin. “Pundits everywhere are talking about “disruptive change” these days. We’re already experiencing a consolidation of the stock and publishing industries, shifts in spending from print to electronic media, and a significant cultural change in attitude toward copyright. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting your career, you’ll most likely have to adopt new technologies, new business models or new income streams within the next few years.”

As I read this I thought, photographers have always had to deal with some form of change, some good, and some bad. Those who were able to overcome or adapt to the changes, have been able to continue on and prosper. Presently we are faced with changes in the industry, which could have a far greater effect on us as photographers than we have ever dealt with in the past. Regardless of how we have experienced these changes, directly or indirectly, we have all been affected in some way or another.

Judy also followed up her statement by saying, “the ASMP is here to help”. Just being a great photographer in today’s market, may not be enough to survive in our ever-changing industry. These days, we not only have to be equipped with the proper gear, but we have to be knowledgeable of the changes in the industry, and how to approach them.

Joining ASMP makes you part of a community, a community of photographers with similar interests. To me, the ASMP is kind of like your camera, it is a tool that is there to help you get were you are going. It is up to you, to utilize it in a manor fitting of your goals. You only get out of it, what you put into it.

For more information regarding the ASMP, please feel free to contact one of our chapter’s board members.