What’s in it for me?
If you are in the Antique or Amusement Photography business — or are interested in entering the industry — AAPI offers a unique opportunity for learning, networking, and professional advancement. AAPI provides two membership categories: Studio Membership and Vendor Membership.
AAPI is a professional association for photographers specializing in antique or “old-time” photography, special event photography, re-enactments, and costumed portraits. It is a one-of-a-kind organization with members throughout the United States, Canada, and several other countries.
Through a representative voting process, AAPI members determine the direction of the association and elect volunteer leaders from within the membership. These elected leaders serve as the association’s Officers and Board of Directors. The Board appoints committees from the membership to help implement goals and programs established for the organization. Management and administrative support services are provided by AAPI’s Executive Director.
AAPI Benefits and Activities:
- Newsletters and Email Bulletins – AAPI members receive periodic newsletters and emails to keep them abreast of the industry trends and to help them learn about products and services available from AAPI vendors.
- Members Only Section – As a member of AAPI, you will have access to this Members Only section which contains contact information for fellow members, a vendor buying guide, tutorials, Opportunity Knocks event postings, classified advertising, an archive of association newsletters, and a members-helping-members section.
- Members Forum – As a member of AAPI, you and your staff have the opportunity to connect with other studio and vendor members to ask questions, discuss industry issues, share ideas, and build valuable professional relationships. Take advantage of the network to collaborate, learn from one another, and strengthen your business and our association as a whole.
- ZOOM Roundtable Discussions and Education
- Education & Networking Opportunities – Attend AAPI’s annual Convention and Trade Show for your exclusive opportunity to attend seminars, meet with industry vendors, and get to know your fellow Old Time Photographers
- Credit Card Processing – Receive special equipment, software, and payment gateway pricing when you enroll in credit card processing.
- Discounts from our Vendor Members
- Studio Locator – Your studio listed by State and City on the AAPI website.
- Security Background Check service with Discounted price.
- CLC Lodging Hotel Discount Cards for Small Business – CLC leverages 13 million room nights worth nearly $800 million of annual lodging purchases, providing you with deeply discounted hotel rates. As a leading negotiator of workforce lodging and hotel corporate rates, CLC Lodging offers hotel network size, buying power, billing options and rate stability to reduce the time and budget your company spends on workforce lodging — at rates lower than companies typically can get on their own. For small businesses, we offer a CLC CheckINN Card.
- Press Releases for your studio – AAPI Headquarters will prepare Press / Media Releases for your studio and will send them to your local Newspapers. Just contact AAPI Headquarters if you would like to have a press release sent at info@oldtimephotos.org.
- Photographic Competition – AAPI promotes professional achievement of its members by recognizing photographic excellence and service to the association. An industry-wide photo competition is held at our annual convention and features a wide variety of categories. Each year, we offer a digital copy of the Photo Contest winners for a small donation. The slide show has all the 1st – 3rd place winners, Technical Excellence winners and Best in Show winner. To learn more about the Photo Contest, click here or to get a copy of this year’s slideshow, email us at info@oldtimephotos.org.
- Master Photography Program – The Master Photography Program recognizes excellence in photographic achievements and service to AAPI and the Industry. To learn more about the Master Photography Program, click here.
- Member to Member Sharing – Many of our members have been in the business for over 30 years, they are a wealth of knowledge and are always willing to share with other members in AAPI.
