President's Message       

Dear PPLA Member,

Family is one of the first priorities that each of us have as humanbeings. Tradition is what families are built upon.  The Professional Photographers of Louisiana have a long standing tradition of family involvement.  From our first president, whose son served as president only 5 years after his father.  I am proud to be a part of not only that father and son presidency (although it has been nearly 30 years difference between us) - but also of the relationships that reach beyond father and son, but to husband and wife.

As we all know, our industry has seen many changes since there was another Ralph Romaguera as president of PPLA, but in that time, our association has taken the charge to adapt to the times as well.  We cannot continue to grow as business owners and friends if we continue to fight those things that are making our industry what it is today.  We must embrace those people who are new and interested in our industry and welcome them -- teach them how to be better photographer, teach them how to charge, teach them how to market and how to treat their clients, and remember that we have all been the 'newbie; before.

The leadership of our association through the years has provided a strong foundation for growth which Wade Ponthier has helped to strengthen.  Growth has indeed been achieved and it will be continued. 

PPLA will over the next year encourage and work towards at least an additional 8 Certified Professional Photographers, increase our participation in the Merit and Degree program, and bring together the local organizations that help make up our great state.

Membership is the lifeblood of any association and is as such as important to ours.  The days of nearly 100 print cases may be simply memories of the past, but there is no reason why we, together cannot make them the reality of our future.

Thank you all for the opportunity to serve this 63 year tradition as your president.

Ralph J. Romaguera, Jr., CPP, Cr.

President, Professional Photographers of Louisiana, Inc.