Q. Do I have to live in Cary to be a member?
A. No, you do not have to live in Cary to become a member. Although, some of our members do live in Cary, we have members from many other areas.

Q.What kind of equipment do I need?
A. Any camera will work. We are less interested in equipment and more interested in your artistic work. That said, most members are very open to discussing their equipment choices and providing you with advice on purchasing the right camera and lenses to meet your photographic goals.

Q. Do I have to be an experienced photographer to join?
A. No, you do not have to be an experienced photographer to be a part of CPA. We welcome all levels of experience as our membership ranges from beginner to professional photographers. Again we emphasize the creation of artistic images, expressing your own personal vision.

Q. How do I format images for use at meetings, critiques, or on the the website?
A. In general, a resolution of 1920x1080 will be fine for most presentations. Naming conventions and specific resolution requirements for competitions, exhibits, and critiques may vary and will be stated in the Newsletter.

Q. Is CPA “digital only”?
A. We cover all aspects of photography, including digital, film and even an occasional video. However, you will find our skills building to be mainly focused around tools and processes used to create digital still images.

Q. How do I get a link to my website or blog added to the CPA webpage?
A. Send an email with the link to your website to the Webmaster.

Q. Does CPA have outings or field trips and do I need to be a member of CPA to participate?
A. CPA plans 1 or 2 outings each month. Please check the current Newsletter for information on this month’s outings. We welcome non-members and encourage participation so that non-members can experience the CPA activities and meet our members. Outings are also publicized in MeetUp and on FaceBook.

Q. Is there a fee to participate in an outing?
A. There is no fee charged by CPA to participate in an outing. However, there may be a fee charged by the facility that we visit and members are responsible for those fees.

Q. Where and when does CPA meet?
A. CPA meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month unless noted in the Newsletter or on the Website. We currently meet virtually on Zoom and in-person at the Herb Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave., Cary. In-person meetings are typically the 2nd Wednesday and Zoom meetings are typically the 4th Wednesday of the month.

Q. Is Cary Photographic Artists a non-profit organization?A. Yes, CPA is recognized by the US Internal Revenue Service as a (501)(C)(3) organization. Therefore all donations above basic membership dues are tax deductible.

Q. How do I join?
A. Please join via our website. Simply click on the JOIN button at the bottom of this page.

Q. What does it cost to be a member?
A. Membership dues are $40 for a single membership or $60 for a family membership.

Q. How and when do I renew my membership?
A. All memberships are due July 1st, which is the beginning of CPA’s fiscal year; however, you can renew your membership at any time after October 1st for the next fiscal year. You can renew online and pay by credit card. Please click the link to the membership page.

Q. What are the dues used for?
A. We are a non-profit organization and there are no paid officers. Everyone gives their time voluntarily for the good of the organization. Membership dues are used for maintaining the website, prizes for annual competitions, CPA equipment such as computers and software that is used during our meetings, printing handouts, promotional materials, rental fees for meetings, and liability insurance.

Q. Do I have to be a member to attend a meeting?
A. No. We welcome everyone at our meetings but hope you will become a member. We are an artist community seeking to promote the art of photography in Cary and the Triangle area.

Q. What do you do at meetings?
A. Our meetings typically include announcements about CPA activities, recognition of member accomplishments, announcements about upcoming field trips, committee reports, and a presentation from a guest speaker that covers a topic that is sure to interest our guests and members. We also encourage members to come to the meetings early to socialize.

Q. How do I volunteer to help CPA or become a member of a committee?
A. Please help out if you can. Simply speak with any board member.