The Southwest
Professional Photographers Association is a regional affiliate of
the Professional Photographers of America. The region consists of
five different affiliated state associations; Arkansas PPA,
Louisiana PPA, New Mexico PPA, Oklahoma PPA and Texas PPA. Any
individual who is a member of the state association where their
residence / business is located are automatically a member of
SWPPA.
Under an agreement
approved by the five member states, a portion of everyone’s state
membership dues is sent to Southwest PPA every year. This payment
allows every member, within the state in which they are located,
to attend the regional convention for free, as long as they are a
current due paid member of their local state.
The Southwest PPA regional convention,
print competition and trade show is held every even numbered year at a
location within the region.
The Texas PPA convention, Southwest regional
print competition and trade show on the odd number years.
Southwest hosts
the national affiliated regional print competition and judging
every year at the site of the regional convention, regardless if
the convention is hosted by Southwest or by Texas. Entries
receiving a score of 80 or above at this judging will
automatically earn an exhibition merit from the Professional
Photographers of America if the entry is sent to the next scheduled national judging.
Founded in 1920, the
purpose of the Southwest PPA is to advance the profession of
photography within the five states of the region, to promote and
foster friendly relations between all of its members, to inform
the members of new trends and educate the same members within this
industry while elevating the overall standards of the work of the
profession by acting collectively.