I meet all the requirements, received the application from Nikon but shoot for private clients so I don't have tearsheets. In lieu of tearsheets, I can have an NPS member vouch that I really am a living, breathing photographer.

Help?

It's taken me 3 months to get this far (nikon is slooooow) and am really anxious to become a member. I'm traveling around the country shooting a book project starting in April and really want the added peace of mind NPS provides. I just shipped my 35 /1.4 and one body off for service and am sure this won't be the first time something will go awry....

Thanks

So let me get this straight. Your very first post in a forum is asking a bunch of strangers to vouch that you are a living, breathing photographer? Well don't most here fit this description???

Simply going to http://nikonpro.com will tell you the requirements. So you meet all the requirements? Well the equipment requirements are very minimum. Per NikonPro - "Nikon Professional Services is available only to bona-fide, FULL-TIME professional photographers." You have waited for three months to get your application back and you are just getting around to find a sponsor?

So do you belong to any professional organizations where you can network with photographers so you can seek this vouching from someone who actually knows you? I guess not since you are seeking this in an online forum where no one knows you. Do you have a website? I know if I was making such a request, I would at the minimum point to somewhere that my work could be viewed.

NPS Members should be very misery in who they allow to join the club. NPS resources are finite and I certainly would not want to see the resources diluted by allowing just anyone with some decent gear join.

Typically out-of-the-blue requests go unanswered on here and for good reason but I thought I would respond for the benefit of future "photographers" that may come here with such a request. I know I shake my head everytime I read one of these requests.

Mel
An Opinionated Old Curmudgeon from Virginia


Website - www.meltalley.com
Blog - http://blog.meltalley.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/mel.talley
Twitter - @meltalley

Welcome to Nikonians,

You might consider posting or linking to some of your work so other NPS Nikonians can evaluate your work and possibly helping you.

George
My Nikonian Galleries

First, apologies for the somewhat mixed response you received. This site has helped photographers become NPS members at times, but it's usually been after a continued presence here in the forums, with members becoming familiar with both you and your work. If you're interested in pursuing that somewhat longer path, here are some things I would recommend:

- Start engaging in conversations on the site and help other members through your knowledge

- Either post select items from your portfolio into the gallery or attach a link to your website/blog. That will let people see that you're indeed a living, breathing photographer that meets the criteria

- Let us know your name. It may sound trivial, but it's important for a potential sponsor to know who they are recommending.

Thanks and welcome to Nikonians.

Rick Walker

My photos:
GeoVista Photography

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