My PPOC

MY EXPERIENCE AS A PPOC MEMBER

By Terry Tinkess

WHY DOES SOMEONE WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION LIKE THE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS OF CANADA (PPOC)? THERE ARE PROBABLY AS MANY REASONS AS THERE ARE PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM, BUT FOR MANY IT INVOLVES BEING A PART OF SOMETHING LARGER THAN THEMSELVES. THE NEED TO BELONG IS VERY STRONG.

When I first joined PPOC back in June of 2012, I had no idea that the road I would follow would have so many twists and turns, bumps and washedout areas. All I knew was that a camera felt right in my hands, and that by associating myself with people who felt, as I did, that photography was far more than just a creative pursuit, well, maybe some of that would rub off on me. I already had very high ethical standards, loved the technology and was in the process of developing my creative soul, so the skill, I thought, would come. It was all up to me. I am by nature a reserved person, and while I welcome friendship and camaraderie, I have always been hesitant to let new acquaintances inside the gate. This, I have since discovered, hindered me far more than any lack of skill ever could. I thought that by listening in from outside the circle, I could still obtain what I needed to become successful. I mean, after all, photography is for many a solitary pursuit. I am never overwhelmed with people who want to join me at 4:30 a.m. to go out and greet the sun on a foggy autumn morning. What I didn’t realize was that if you don’t participate in the discussion, you aren’t part of it. When I made my first submission for accreditation, I was disappointed that only a few images were accepted (three or four, I believe), but being a pragmatic person, I saw this as meaning that I might have to make three or four submissions to have the required ten images accepted. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way. Like a baseball player in a hitting slump, I repeatedly went “0 for 10”, which led me to try different categories with similar results. At that point, I decided to hedge my bets and also pursue certification through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). I succeeded in achieving that in March of 2019. In 2019, after striking out one last time, I left the PPOC in order to reset my goals and decide if it was an achievement I would not be successful in obtaining. I justified the decision to myself with the thinking that my clients were happy with my work, so why bother? That, however, is not who I am, and very shortly rejoined the PPOC. As strange as it may sound, I feel that COVID 19 played a role in my finally becoming an Accredited Photographer. There has always been an opportunity to actively participate in the PPOC, particularly at the regional level. I regularly received emails informing me of meetings and special events, but living where I do, in Ingleside, Ontario, the prospect of at the end of a long day driving 75 minutes to attend in-person meetings was something that usually, at the last minute, I chose not to do. When I returned after my (very) short absence, the norm had become ZOOM meetings, and at the first opportunity I accepted the invitation of regional Chair Steve Cain and that is when my fortunes changed. In the online meetings, everyone seemed somehow more equal, positioned as we were in our own individual on-screen “squares.” I was familiar with many of the other members, at least by name and reputation, and when I presented some of my images for accreditation review, you cannot believe my surprise at hearing their stories about how they too had struggled to choose the ten correct images in order to obtain accreditation. I had no idea the degree to which they processed their work until they felt it met the standard. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders as I realized that I was following the same path they had, the difference being that I had chosen to walk it alone. It was time to get out of my own way! With the help of the members of the Ontario east region I managed to have five of ten images accepted for accreditation. When I was paired with a mentor, Lois Nuttall, I learned to examine my images much more closely, paying more attention to the edges of the frame, how different orientations could make a difference and to not be afraid to look at my images with an open mind. My second submission moved me up to nine accepted images and in February of this year the tenth image was accepted, and I received my first accreditation in Fine Art/Photo Décor. I couldn’t have been happier! This might seem like a happy ending, but it is not, it is just one step in my progression. I look forward to obtaining additional accreditations, to being an active participant in the PPOC, to obtaining my CPA designation and even someday be able to add the letters MPA behind my name. I believe that the best road trip isn’t judged by where you end up, but instead by the route you take to get there. Figuratively speaking, the accreditation “road trip” is identical in nature. The recognition is obviously welcome, but it is more than that. It is the people you meet, the opportunities you enjoy and the doors that suddenly burst open for you. Not only am I able to proudly say I am Accredited by the Professional Photographers or Canada as well as Certified by the Professional Photographers of American (PPA), but I also have the opportunity to act as a mentor for someone else and help them in their journey. It is a journey, that I can honestly and with conviction say, is well worth the effort required to undertake.

Terry Tinkess

Terry Tinkess is a PPOC accredited photographer (Fine Art/Photo Decor) and a Certified Professional Photographer with the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). He is also a graduate of the Journalism program at Carleton University and holds a Masters Degree in Canadian Studies, also from Carleton. He operates his own studio, Terry Tinkess Photography and has taught photography courses at St. Lawrence College in Cornwall, Ontario since 2007. The photographer who has influenced him the most is Jay Maisel, who he has had the honour of meeting on two occasions. He lives in Ingleside, Ontario with his wife Brenda, dog Mia and cats Buttons, Chubbers and Wally, who all make sure he is up in time to see the sunrise. www.terrytinkessphotography.com

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