Will membership of the Royal Photographic Society benefit me in my career as a photographer?
I let my membership drop many years ago when I realised that it meant absolutely nothing professionally – well at least not to customers. If you get your LRPS or above then you don’t have to go through the process every year. I can’t remember about the crest etc. but I am sure the details will be on their site somewhere. TBH, if you are an amateur and want the “recognition” of your peers then go for it. If you are a pro or looking to go pro then in my opinion you would be better of joining one of the professional associations such as the BIPP, SWP etc. These are more geared to the pro and offer benefits in networking, legal services etc. there is also a distinction system which, again in my opinion, is better than the LRPS etc. purely because they are basing it on more “professional” criteria. Its really horses for courses, there is no harm in joining any one of them and seeing what they can do but apart from people “in the know” they mean not a lot really.
