Building a photography business with PPA tools, with Angela Kurkian

AI can generate a believable image in seconds, so why does real photography still matter, and how do working photographers protect what they create? We’re joined by Angela Kurkian, CEO of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), to talk about the parts of the job that don’t show up in a highlight reel: Building a sustainable photography business, finding community, and defending your rights as a creator.

Kurkian and Gary Pageau of The Dead Pixels Society dig into what makes PPA different as one of the oldest nonprofit photography associations, including the mission to support photographers as small business owners and the idea of serving both the creative artist and the business warrior. She shares her own path through the industry, what she learned in a high-volume studio, and why so many photographers struggle when pricing becomes a guessing game. Kurkian also get practical about tools and benchmarks that help you plan revenue, cost of sales, expenses, and owner pay so a photographer’s rates match the life they desire.

Kurkian also talks about industry pressure points, like AI in photography and copyright. She explains why PPA’s advocacy in Washington, DC focuses on intellectual property, what photographers misunderstand about copyright registration, and why AI-generated headshots and images raise real ownership and enforcement questions. We also cover where to get vetted education and community support through PPA, including Photovision and local networks.