There are nearly 6000 PSA members, including both amateur and professional photographers, residing in nearly 80 countries. Many members serve in various positions and are responsible for the supervision and execution of PSA's activities.

Member Benefits

As a benefit of membership, PSA members have the opportunity to read feature articles in the monthly, full-color PSA Journal, which is under the supervision of the Publications Vice President. The articles are written by members, for members, and include knowledge and experience gained from travel and many photographic activities. There are many "how-to" ideas and techniques to cover a broad range of topics of interest to any photography enthusiast. On a recurring basis, member-columnists provide various series on social networking, information for beginners, and selections from the online New Member gallery. Additionally, there are photography software, hardware and photography book reviews. The PSA Journal is available as a print copy (for additional dues) or online through the member's only area, you will need to Sign In to access the Journal.

One of the most enjoyable activities of PSA is the week-long Photo Festival. The Annual Photo Festival is held in September or October in a different location each year. During the Annual Photo Festival, registrants can participate in photo tours, classes, workshops, and photo shoots. There is an Opening Meeting of the Society with award presentations, an extensive Print Exhibition, a variety of programs, featured speakers in the evenings, social events, a vendor area with product demonstrations, numerous photographic activities, and a banquet on the last evening. The Photo Festival is a great way to meet people, have a personal encounter with a known photographer, or renew longtime acquaintances.

Chapters are local extensions of PSA and membership is comprised of only PSA individual members. There are currently 12 Chapters located along the East Coast, in the upper Midwest, and the West. Because of legalities, there are no Chapters outside of the United States. Chapters offer a variety of activities including workshops, competitions, field trips, and speaker programs, but more importantly, there is a sense of community and camaraderie with a shared interest in PSA and the love of photography. An annual PSA Chapter Showcase competition is held each spring and the images are displayed at the PSA Annual Conference.

There are hundreds of camera clubs throughout the world, in over 60 countries, which are members of PSA. One of the popular activities of PSA member clubs is participation in the PSA Inter Club Competitions. PSA also offers PSA member clubs two programs that are geared to improving the club members’ photography skills: the popular Club Judging Services and the interactive Image Analysis Workshop.

There are 20 PSA member camera club councils throughout the world. A camera club council may also be known as an association, federation, or organization. A council consists of camera clubs, usually located in a geographic area, which join together to provide and participate in photographic activities as a group. The Wisconsin Area Camera Clubs Organization (WACCO) is comprised of 23 camera clubs in Wisconsin and provides photography events that the camera clubs individually do not have resources for.

The annual PSA Newsletter and Website Contests are also available to chapters, clubs, and councils. The Chapters, Club, & Council's Vice President has the primary responsibility for overseeing the activities of these organizations.

PSA offers several digital and print Study Groups for individual PSA members that allow them to receive feedback on their images from other more senior members. This is a great way to allow the members to share knowledge and experience.

Each year PSA conducts a Youth Showcase, which is a competition open to all high school-age students worldwide. This Showcase encourages the photography interests of today’s students and highlights their talents. Entry is free; however, each student must be sponsored by a Chapter, or a PSA member club or council. A school, in coordination with the sponsor’s representative, may submit no more than 8 projected images and 8 prints. The award-winning and accepted images are displayed at the annual PSA conference, and awardees receive cash awards along with a free one-year PSA membership.