Photographers' Society Strives to Maintain High Ethical Standards Among Members

Trade Group Contacts NYS Attorney General to Offer Support in Protecting Consumers

ALBANY, NY (05/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Photography consumers can protect themselves against unscrupulous businesses by getting references, checking Better Business Bureau records, and by looking for service providers that are active members in recognized professional organizations. Those are the recommendations of Greg Lewis, president-elect of the Professional Photographers Society of New York State (PPSNYS). Lewis says he fully agrees with and applauds the State Attorney General's recent advice to consumers, in the wake of the state agency's lawsuits against three wedding photographers. In separate cases in Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, and Troy, photographers who collected pre-payments for wedding packages failed to deliver the promised wedding albums.

In press releases issued by the Attorney General's office, a series of consumer protection tips were provided, including the advice to ask professional photographers if they belong to a wedding photographer's association. According the A.G.'s office, this could serve as an additional reference.

Lewis says that photographers who belong to a professional association, such as the Professional Photographer's Society of New York State, tend to have a greater commitment to professional ethics, continuing education, and high levels of customer service. Lewis pointed out that the three unscrupulous wedding photographers that were part of the A.G.'s recent crackdown were not members of the PPSNYS. The president-elect of the photographers' association stated that "PPSNYS believes that proper training and ethical conduct are the cornerstones of a professional photographic business." Lewis also says that the organization maintains a standing committee to address ethics issues should they arise; and "I am glad to say that, in the 106 years of our organization's existence, it is very rare that any issue of unethical conduct arises within our membership."

In a letter to Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, Lewis thanked the A.G.'s office for recognizing the importance of checking a wedding photographer's professional affiliations, as one way to confirm their reputability and overall professionalism. Lewis also stated that the emphasis PPSNYS places on continuing professional education provides a direct benefit to consumers. Specifically, he said, "It makes our members better prepared to provide the most modern techniques, products, and the highest level of customer service.

About PPSNYS: The Professional Photographers Society of New York State (PPSNYS), which represents hundreds of professional photographers, is "a corporation formed solely to instruct its members and the public in photography, and to create, foster, promote, and encourage the exchange of knowledge among its members and the public." The organization offers many high-level education programs in the form of regular statewide and local meetings, its annual spring conference, and a week-long summer workshop. PPSNYS also offers professional degrees to its membership, based on service and print scores. In addition, PPSNYS members provide backup for colleagues. If a member is sick or injured, members will fill in for one another. This benefit guarantees customers that they will have competent coverage of their wedding or other event, regardless of any photographer's health issues or emergencies. For more information, visit the organization's website: www.ppsnys.com