I understand that Canon recently revamped their CPS membership program. It seems that there is now much more of an emphasis on equipment than the photographer who owns it, and yet they are still requiring only full-time imaging professionals be admitted. But I know a lot of people whom they've accepted into the program that have never made a dime off their photography! Doesn't make much sense to me to list requirements and then not enforce them...
I stopped working as a full-time professional photographer in 2005 and now only occasionally accept paying assignments... it's a lot more fun when I don't have a client or art director breathing over my shoulder :)! According to Canon, I'm not qualified and yet.... I'd like to join but I'm not a big fan of ignoring "rules"...
I think Canon will gladly take your money if you meet their equipment qualifications. There is no process by which they check your professional status, but I believe they check your equipment serial numbers in order to qualify.
I think I remember when I signed up years ago one of the qualifications was that you were a " pro ". By definition that means 51% of your income is derived from photography. Say I make 300K a year, I can't ever envision making more than that peddling images so by their definition I am not a pro. If I quit working and generate the same amount in photo sales as when I was working I am then classified as a pro :confused:. I don't think it matters what your skills are or your photography generated income but how much equipment you have purchased.
The CPS program is available to individuals who are full-time working imaging professionals that meet the membership level requirements of equipment ownership and business.
Interesting.
"full-time working imaging professionals"
Perhaps I qualify. I do scientific imaging, mostly using spacecraft and aircraft, and general photography in my lab, but I am not a photographer in the traditional sense. I do have a lot of publications with digital imaging. But I was hoping to retire and just do photography, but part time--so I only have to work 40 hours per week ;). I guess I wouldn't qualify then.
CPS Membership?
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