Over the last three years, I have served on my local photographer’s association’s Board of Directors. Our association is called the Twin Cities Professional Photographers Association, aka TCPPA, which is a non-profit group ran by a board of volunteers. TCPPA is part of the Community Network with Professional Photographers of America, or PPA, which I have been a member of for many years.

It is an honor to volunteer my time to serve my midwest/local photo community through TCPPA. We host monthly events where we bring the top talent to our local stage. It’s incredible and I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon this group! A lot of the times if you have tried to get a hold of me on a Monday, and I’ve said “I’m out at a conference for the next 2 days…” this is what I’m doing! Getting my learn on with some of the most fabulous photographers in the midwest!

I have had the opportunity to learn from some really amazing (dare I say lifechanging) industry leading professionals the last few years. Take a peek at some of the industry “greats” I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

Jen Bertrand, Monica Sigmon, Megan Dipiero (2x), Shannon Atchley, Dan Frievalt, Josh Hanna, Peter Hurley (twice in one year!), Michael Taylor, Thomas Nguyen, the great Mr. Dave Johnson, longtime TCPPA member and National Camera rep, Phaneendra Gudapati aka “PG”…talk about starstruck! There’s so many more! Through their purpose-driven presentations or hands-on workshops, these industry pros have helped to shape me into the artist/pro that I am both in business and in my craft.
(Edited in May 2023 to add in the opportunity to meet Gary Box!)

In 2022 I had the honor of serving as Vice President. My duties included booking the talent for 2023. In 2023, I took the gavel and am currently serving as President. There have been many amazing folks who have taken the role of president before me, and let me tell you…imposter syndrome is a legit thing!

The energy the board members have that I’m serving with this year is so exciting. We’ve grown leaps and bounds the past 3 years and have really focused on uniting, elevating and educating our professional photographer community - and having a fun time while doing so. Everyone I’m serving with on the board gives so much of their time, talent and heart. I’m grateful. It is a commitment, no doubt.

I do not want to dismiss the fact that I have come across so many wonderful industry friends through TCPPA, and have been able to reconnect with some online photo friends as well at our events, including one of my long-distance photo besties, Karen Stauffer from Illinois! I am a solopreneur in my “day job” as a photographer, and so I don’t always get to interact with other creatives who speak my language. This gives me that opportunity to get down to business with photo friends, and honestly, many of them have been really great supporters for me these last few years. (If you know about my necklace, consider yourself part of my tribe!)

I am always learning. And I really love being part of a local group where we focus on community over competition. We help each other succeed. We give each other encouragement and sometimes even tough love for business practices and motivation to keep us going. You all are great, and I feel I am a better person overall because of your guidance, your friendship, and just being you.

Never stop learning. Keep up the good work everyone!

Fondly,
Monda the Photographer