Drew Carey on NPPA Board of Directors

This gave me a bit of pause also.

What substantial good does either side have to gain? The risk, of course, is to immediately diminish the value of the board itself.

From what I hear he’s a nice guy with a genuine interest in photojournalism. Many companies and organizations have outside directors so why not the NPPA? He’ll probably be good for some positive publicity (from the outside world) and he’ll be able to entertain at the annual dinners.

But what of Mr. Carey’s experience?

With a limited number of directors what does Mr. Carey provide that compliments the other directors so that as a team they posses the greatest strength possible? Doesn’t the NPPA have some substantial concerns to focus limited effort towards?

If I were putting together a board for a member org and were to list the backgrounds/strengths I would like “celebrity” might be on the list but it wouldn’t be very high.

Now if the board is hoping to do a little bit of “who’s line” then I’m all for it. :)

What does the NPPA do anymore except publish a magazine, offer credentials that aren’t credentials and push workshops and products?

I mean, for $100 per year, I’ll take the magazine and the directory listing, but c’mon. There’s not much more to them these days.

Sure, many great members, but just not much direction in any direction.

And Drew Carey is indicative of their backwards-thinking. He was a major celebrity a decade ago. Nearly more than a decade ago now. There are plenty of other celebrotographers that are much fresher-faced.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying younger is better. It’s just that since this is obviously a PR stunt, why not make it take on a younger look.

I guess the mega buck celebrity life is just too unsatisfying for Mr. Carey who just wants to join the low pay or unemployed opportunities of the PJ world. My heart bleeds. Don’t ya just love when celebs do this shit?

Nah, Sharko, it’s just that with the way things are going, the already-rich are the only ones who can possibly afford the $10,000 of equipment he has in that photo alone, the $5,000 (minimum) plane ticket to the match in Germany where that picture was taken and still get by on the $250 he gets paid to make the picture.

I can’t wait until every story is told and/or published by only the ultra rich. That should make things so much better.