Professional Organisations & Supporting Bodies

We were set a task during the lecture that relates to this part of the brief. There were three tasks and the first was to remind ourselves of the business proposal and the specialist field then discuss what aspects of a supporting organisation our company would benefit from.

As a group we made a list appropriate for our business:

-Training- ie Photoshop refresher courses
-Business Advice
-Qualifications & Awards
-Quality Marks- are there any relevant for Photography?
-Free Advertising
-Union or legal representation
-Entry to trade Events
-Magazine subscriptions

These are the requirements of our business  that i will keep in mind when researching the various organisations and what they offer.

Our other task was to locate and research at least 3 professional organisations suited to our business's specialism.

We listed the following:

-AOP

The Association of Photographers provides membership for both Photographers and students and offer a range of benefits to members.

-Red Eye

Provide Free online advice and training for a small fee

-Local Chamber of Commerce

Advice for local businesses

-BIPP

The official qualifying and governing body for professional photographers.

-Inland Revenue

-Business Link

Provide advice to businesses from starting up to general running, they offer a wide range of advice, workshops and tools.

-Local Bank

We have already decided to use Natwest and from looking at their website i have learned that they offer a large range of services to help new business's here is the link to thier website:

http://www.natwest.com/business/starting-a-business.ashx

When opening an account with Natwest they offer free business banking for 2 years to new busness's, access to a relationship manager for advice, planning software and guides and a free business start up course.

-Accountants

-RPS

The ones we chose for our company are:

AOP

The cost per year is £315 and the benefits are listed below:


Eligible to enter AOP Photography Awards


AOP Website presence including a portfolio page for 12 images with contact information, web and email links

Access to AOP members’ email forum to share advice and information

Opportunity to exhibit in member shows at The AOP Gallery

Member workshops

Access to AOP Business services

Subscription/discounts on AOP publications including: Beyond the Lens, the Awards book and monthly Image magazine

Monthly members e-newsletter

Special discounts from 3rd party companies

Discount on tickets for Photographer Awards

Invitations to private views and events

Access to AOP AppleStore

Eligibilty to join the Adobe Photographers Directory

Free web access to Beyond The Lens

Free buy and sell advertisements on AOP website

Free AOP JobShop advertisements

BIPP
 
This is at a cost of £150 per year and the benefits include:
 
intenationally recognised professional qualifications...leading to increased prominence in the market place


recognition of your qualification by other organisations and employers

a tiered structure offering continual professional development

free qualifications advice

events and seminars across the country

portfolio clinics

regional meetings

subsidised training by industry leaders

entry to the National Photographic Awards

entry to the BIPP Towergate Camerasure Fine Art Competition

the Photographer magazine

regular email updates

use of the BIPP logo

your own portfolio page on bipp.com

business generation leads

online apple store

free resources - contracts, licensing, releases etc.

discounted display advertising

preferential deals from 3rd party companies

international network of contacts

credit card processing packages

free 24/7 legal helpline

exclusive UK access to the Federation of European Photographers

the peace of mind that comes with a framework of a code of professional conduct and complaints procedure.