joshuasargent

<p>I am doing a report on the photography market and I am having a hard time finding data. Does anyone know a website where I can I find:</p>

<ul>

<li>Current number of professional photographers in the U.S.</li>

<li>Is the industry growing/shrinking</li>

<li>monetary values of the industry</li>

</ul>

<p>Thanks for your help</p>

<p><strong>---------------------------<br /> <strong>May 13, 2009<br /> <br /> Great Sand Dunes National Park</strong> <br /> <br /> -By my girlfriend Mel-<br /> <br /> So Josh and I went to Sand Dunes National Monument this week on our days off...I'd never been before, and he'd been wanting to go back, so we decided to have fun and get out of the house for a couple days.<br /> <br /> It's a really bizarre sight when it first comes into view...30 square miles of massive sand dunes, bordered on one side by towering 14,000 ft mountains, and on the other by flat prairie that stretches on for miles. It doesn't look as if it belongs in Colorado somehow. Apparently, the sand runs off the mountains in the streams, and the wind from the prairie sweeps in right back to the mountains feet. Once you get over how out of place it looks, it's actually quite beautiful. Looking out, you see peak after peak of rolling sand, their sharp ridges clearly defined by the dark shadows below them, and behind it all, the rugged tops of white dusted mountains. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before.<br /> <br /> </strong><br>

<strong><br /> <br /> <img src="http://www.dreamlivecapture.com/photos/546178687_oYQBk-M.jpg" alt="" /> Anyway, after checking in for out backpacking permit, we headed off down a narrow dirt road that wound it's way through twisted pines and clumps of sagebrush toward our overnight parking spot, also the last place a normal car could retreat before the road turned into a dangerous 4-wheeler trail. Fittingly, the sign beside the pull-off spot read dramatically, "The Point of No Return". Most encouraging. Hiking across sand (going up) is kind of like using a stair-stepper at the gym...it's freaking hard and you don't go anywhere for about 5 minutes...and then you look up and notice that you're maybe a third of the way up the small hill you are attempting to climb. But it's fun. We decided not to head out as far into the dunes as we'd planned (lucky for us later, as it turned out), since we wanted time to make camp and find a good location for some sunset pictures. And the view from the ridge we found was breathtaking...we were just laughingly hoping we'd be able to find our way back to camp afterward. The whole time we were shooting, the wind was picking up, blowing the sand in mini tornadoes that whipped around and around until you couldn't figure out where it was coming from. We figured it would die down as dusk came...but by the time the sun was almost down it was twice as bad.<br /> <img src="http://www.dreamlivecapture.com/photos/541080011_N2Tgx-M.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> <br /> I've never experienced anything like it in my live. The wind was so strong it was almost impossible to walk, and the sand was blowing at us like bullets. We knew what direction we needed to head in, but every time we tried to face that way we were practically forced to the ground. By the time we made it back to camp we were both freaked. Don't ask me how our tent was still there...we'd left some gear in it and I guess that was the only thing keeping it from disappearing. It was still getting worse, so even though it was dark we decided to try and make the hike out. Let me tell you, without the mountains in the distance to judge by, there's no way we would have been able to make it out of there. You couldn't see, or breath, or even look up from the ground. And the thing with dunes is that there are so many ridges to cross, and the wind whips the sand up the back and over the top like a solid line of bullets. As we staggered down the back of the highest ridge, we could feel the dune literally rumbling and shacking under our feet; it was unsettling, especially since we couldn't even see the bottom. Somehow, we managed to stumble our way down to the lower dunes, and kneel down to catch our breath and try to get our bearings. In order to get back to the car, we still had to cross the creek surrounding the dunes, then head up the tree covered embankment on the far side and hopefully hit the dirt road. We took a good look at the mountains in the background and slowly kept going. I have to say I've probably never been as freaked out before...it's hard to describe how bad it really was. I was starting to wonder if the sign earlier was going to end up becoming literal.<br /> <br /> <img src="http://www.dreamlivecapture.com/photos/546182204_WLohb-M.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> <br /> Wading any type of moving water is not fun in the dark...but by the time we heard flowing water we were far to relieved to care about getting wet...we just slogged right through. We had another scare as we started to climb up the far bank. Josh's headlamp caught a pair of glowing yellow eyes amid the trees and we both froze. There are most decidedly mountain lions out here, and after the time we'd had so far, I was momentarily certain we were going to be eaten and they'd be finding us dead under some random sage bush the next day. And then the eyes moved, and we saw a small antelope staring back at us curiously. Ok...breath. Calm down.<br /> <br /> It seemed to take us forever to trek back up that road...meanwhile the wind was still going nuts and trees and bushes where waving...to say it was a dark and stormy night would be an understatement.<br /> Even though I knew we were gonna be ok as soon as we hit the road, neither of us really relaxed until we headed around that final bend and saw the car's taillights gleaming.<br /> <br /> Talk about a crazy adventure! Looking back on it, I'd say it was just as thrilling as as scary...a cool memory, to say the least. But I don't even want to THINK about how long it took us to get all the sand out of our gear. Now there's a bad memory for you....<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.dreamlivecapture.com/gallery/8278404_Woqio">Read more journals here!</a> </strong><br>

<strong><a href="http://dreamlivecapture.com">Visit Website!</a> <br /> </strong></p>

I live in this area and my portfolio is full of images from National Parks in Colorado and Utah.

First of all let me start out by saying "I absolutely love this site and the members of it". I have learned so much through comments, critiques, and other's photographs; it has been indispensable in the development of my hobby. So the only problem I have with whole photography thing is that word "hobby". I'm tired of it I'm ready to do whatever it takes to become a "professional". I'm so passionate, so ambitious, so in love with photography. I'm obsessed with being on the road, seeing, and experiencing new things. It's all I think about! Well there it is, my dream... Now I would like to have some advise on any and everything on how make it happen. I'm still pretty young, 22, just got out of the military, I have been taking pictures for about a year and seven months now. I have absolutely nothing tying me down and I am ready to start working toward the dream. So...Marc Adamus, Michael Anderson, David Collier, Chip Phillips, and the countless others who have inspired me so much, how do you do it? How did you start, how did you get yourself out there? Did you start locally and expand? School? No school? If yes, study business, photography, both? I know that it is going to be hard work, and I will have to be patient, but I am willing and ready to deal with anything and everything. I'm am serious I want it all the good, the bad, the ugly, everything from anyone who has had an experience they would share that would help me get there. I challenge you to inspire me further. I challenge you to make this post have the most responses ever! I love you guys and gals and thank you so much for taking time to share experiences and give advise it means the world to me and to my dream...

First of all let me start out by saying �I absolutely love this site and the members of it�. I have learned so much

through comments, critiques, and other�s photographs; it has been indispensable in the development of my hobby.

So the only problem I have with whole photography thing is that word �hobby�. I�m tired of it I�m ready to do whatever

it takes to become a �professional�. I�m so passionate, so ambitious, so in love with photography. I�m obsessed with

being on the road, seeing, and experiencing new things. It�s all I think about! Well there it is, my dream� Now I

would like to have some advise on any and everything on how make it happen. I�m still pretty young, 22, just got out

of the military, I have been taking pictures for about a year and seven months now. I have absolutely nothing tying me

down and I am ready to start working toward the dream. So�Marc Adamus, Michael Anderson, David Collier, Chip

Phillips, and the countless others who have inspired me so much, how do you do it? How did you start, how did you

get yourself out there? Did you start locally and expand? School? No school? If yes, study business, photography,

both? I know that it is going to be hard work, and I will have to be patient, but I am willing and ready to deal with

anything and everything. I�m am serious I want it all the good, the bad, the ugly, everything from anyone who has

had an experience they would share that would help me get there. I challenge you to inspire me further. I challenge

you to make this post have the most responses ever! I love you guys and gals and thank you so much for taking time

to share experiences and give advise it means the world to me and to my dream�

I would like to have personal website to put some of my photos on. I would like

to have my own URL and eventually a way to sell them. Do you know of any good

providers that have a decent price and i should also say that i have very

little experiance with html. Thanks for help.

I pretty new to the photography world, but I am finding myself falling more

and more in love with it. I am currently in the Navy so I don't really money

or anything, but I was wondering if it would even be worth the trouble to put

them on a stock photography site, and/or my photos even good enough try it? I

don't know, I really do not have experience doing that and was just wondering

what people thought them? Thanks for your help.

As a professional trade association, PMA? helps the worldwide photo imaging community achieve business success and adapt to new technologies. PMA continues its 82-year legacy of connecting photo imaging businesses to a network of knowledge and support.

 

PMA represents 20,000 members, in 100-plus countries, who actively contribute to the expanding $87 billion imaging industry[citation needed] . As photo imaging continues to evolve, this association has grown to represent the diversity in imaging: photo retailers and processors, manufacturers, commercial imaging labs, sports and event photography, custom picture frame shops, and scrapbook retailers. PMA is committed to helping these segments increase their profitability and expand their consumer, commercial and industrial markets.

 

Through the dedication of its membership, the guidance of its Board of Directors, and willingness of its staff, PMA gives the industry the ability to see, understand, and act on new opportunities. This purpose directs the development of PMA?s educational programs, business services, marketing research, industry publications, and trade shows. As a non-profit organization, any success enjoyed by PMA in its endeavors directly benefits the photo imaging industry and provides continual services and activities for its members.

 

 

PMA was founded on Dec. 6, 1924 as the "Photo Finishers Association of America" in Washington, Iowa by Paul Burgess and T. R. Phillips. It was initially composed of 273 members, and eventually moved to Jackson, Michigan. Its name was changed to the "Master Photo Dealers and Finishers? Association" in 1926 and changed again to the "Photo Marketing Association International" in 1974.

 

In 2006, Photo Marketing Association International became PMA - The Worldwide Community of Imaging Associations. This change reflected the growth of the memories market and the various member sections and associations that are now a part of PMA.

 

 

Membership

It currently has over 20,000 members in 100-plus countries, with membership offices in the USA, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

 

As photo imaging continues to evolve, PMA has grown to include: photo retailers and processors, manufacturers, commercial imaging labs, sports and event photography, custom picture frame shops, and scrapbook retailers.

 

Any company involved in the retail marketing, processing or service of photographic or related goods for at least one year is eligible for a voting membership. A non-voting or "cooperating" membership is available to companies engaged in the manufacturing, distributing, exporting or importing of photographic products, equipment or services.

 

 

Organization

The PMA has a board of officers and trustees comprised of: President, President elect, Vice president, Treasurer, Executive director/secretary, Trustees and Trustees-at-large, and National Chairpersons representing eight countries.

 

Advisory committees representing each segment of the industry meet at PMA headquarters annually to suggest and develop convention and educational programs, market research, publications issues, business resources and convention programming.

 

Sections of PMA include:

 

Association of Imaging Executives (AIE)

Digital Imaging Marketing Association (DIMA)

National Association of Photo Equipment Technicians (NAPET)

Photo Imaging Education Association (PIEA)

Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA)

Professional School Photographers Association (PSPA)

Professional Scrapbook Retailers Organization (PSRO)

Sports Photographers Association of America (SPAA)

The PMA also has two professional societies: the Society of Photographic Consultants, whose members earn the designation Certified Photographic Counselor (CPC); and the Society of Photo Finishing Engineers (SPFE). Members must pass an entrance exam demonstrating expertise in their field to enter either society.

 

Each year, the PMA hosts the PMA International Convention and Trade Show, combining on-going professional development with the world's largest[verification needed] annual photo imaging trade show