Credentials That Stand Behind Every Program
Photography Associations
The Credentials Behind Physis
When you trust a company with your photography journey — or with your clients’ photography program — you are trusting the standards of the people behind it. At Physis Photo Tours, those standards are not just stated. They are recognized.
Physis Photo Tours is led by its founder and professional photographer, Andy Bezara, who is an active member of five international photography associations: PPA, PSA, NANPA, SINWP, and ASMP. Together, these memberships connect Physis to the global photography community and reflect a genuine commitment to craft, ethics, education, and professional accountability.
Why Photography Associations Matter
Photography associations exist to hold professionals to a higher standard. They are not decorative badges. Membership means participating in a community that defines best practices, advances education, protects photographers’ rights, and — especially in nature and wildlife photography — promotes ethical conduct in the field.
For a private photographer choosing a tour, these memberships answer a quiet but important question: is the person designing my trip a serious professional, or simply someone who sells trips? For a photography club, tour leader, or organization evaluating a Costa Rica operating partner, they answer the same question at a professional level: can this partner be trusted to represent us well in front of our own photographers?
The associations below span the full spectrum of professional photography — from craft and business standards to nature, wildlife, and conservation ethics. That range is intentional. It reflects exactly how Physis works: photography first, in the field, responsibly.
PPA — Professional Photographers of America
Founded in 1868 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the Professional Photographers of America is the world’s largest nonprofit association for professional photographers, serving more than 35,000 members across over 50 countries.
PPA is dedicated to professional standards, business education, copyright advocacy, and recognized certifications. Membership aligns Physis with a community built around the discipline and professionalism of the photographic craft — the business of doing this seriously, and doing it well.
PSA — Photographic Society of America
Founded in 1934 and headquartered in Oklahoma City, the Photographic Society of America is an international nonprofit dedicated to advancing photography as an art form, a means of communication, and a tool for education. PSA brings together photographers from more than 80 countries.
PSA emphasizes photographic education, image evaluation, international exhibitions, and the exchange of ideas across every genre. Membership connects Physis to a global, multidisciplinary community of photographers committed to continual growth — the same spirit that shapes how every Physis program is designed.
NANPA — North American Nature Photography Association
Founded in 1994 and based in Alma, Illinois, the North American Nature Photography Association is dedicated specifically to nature photography — its art, its science, and its responsibilities. NANPA is a leading voice for ethical field practices and conservation.
This membership sits at the heart of what Physis does. NANPA promotes nature photography as a medium of communication, appreciation, and environmental protection, and champions responsible photography in the wild. For a company built around Costa Rica’s wildlife, birds, and habitats, this is not a side credential — it is a statement of values.
ASMP — American Society of Media Photographers
Founded in 1944, the American Society of Media Photographers is a leading trade association for professional photographers who create images for publication, and a long-standing advocate for photographers’ rights and ethical business practices. At the end of 2022, ASMP joined forces with NANPA, uniting their commitment to nature photographers and ethical field conduct.
ASMP membership reinforces the professional and ethical foundation of Physis — connecting the company to a tradition of accountability, integrity, and respect for both the craft and the subjects in front of the lens.
SINWP — Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers
Based in the United Kingdom, the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers is an international organization dedicated specifically to nature, wildlife, and landscape photography, offering recognized qualifications, mentoring, and international competitions — including its well-known annual bird photography awards.
SINWP speaks directly to the core of the Physis experience: wildlife and nature photography pursued with skill and care. Membership connects Physis to an international community focused on exactly the subjects that make Costa Rica one of the world’s great photographic destinations.
What These Memberships Mean for You
Five associations. Three countries. One consistent thread: a commitment to photography done professionally, ethically, and with genuine respect for the natural world.
If you are planning a private photography journey, these credentials are your reassurance that Physis is led by a recognized professional — not a generic travel seller with a camera. If you are a photography tour leader, club, association, or organization looking for a Costa Rica operating partner, they are evidence that Physis can represent you and your photographers to a professional standard.
Either way, the next step is the same — a simple conversation about what you want to photograph, and how Physis can make it happen.
