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Dear Friends, colleagues and Fellow Photographers,
Thank you very much for your support.
While competing not only from the cushy comforts of our domestic market, our market has gone global. We all realise we need to gear up and look beyond our shores...
And for a number of you, my fellow photographers have already established a base in this global arena, you would certainly agree with me that we have to establish ourselves & compete in the "seamless" market. To begin we have to set our minds on the international market.
First we need to a change in our mindsets; Realize that we have professionalise our practise be it work styles / work flow / marketing approach / copyrights etc. And your being part of this Professional Body of Photographers like our PPAS will certainly lend more if not full support from the industry players.
If we all can realize this imperative move to raise & bring about sustainable professional standards and professional practices. We cannot do this without your support. Without the numbers, there is no basis for dialog with key industry players. We need the numbers & solidarity to draw interest from our clients & industry partners. Only then can we justify their lending their ears to the needs of us photographers & our industry as a whole. Without which, it will only be deducted as the selfish personal interest of a select few.
Fees have not been able to adjust much or appreciate proportionately with inflation for the last two decades, while inflation have pushed overheads 3 folds. Profit margins have eroded to a most minimal and if photographers cannot be compensated for the higher operational costs, we may see the end of the road for the justification to operate a good creative and professional commercial photography studio.
Laypersons will not understand the high equipment, manpower as well as operational costs in running a studio.
Of course, they will want to keep the costs down so that they pay less.
However, in all business fairness, there is a clear understanding that a business must be profitable and it is accepted that all businesses should be allowed to profit. Just how much?
There again, there will always be different levels of supply and demands, value for money and expertise. That is absolutely correct.
That is the reason why we must stand together to provide an environment for understanding and allow the profession to flourish both financially and professionally.
It is our hope that all Professional Photographers can be a member of the Association, one voice, a statement and an endorsement of your profession.
Sebastian Tan
President
Professional Photographers Association (Singapore)
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About PPAS