The Society of Camera Operators provides a selection of membership types.  Each type has specific application requirements and is reviewed by the Board of Governors for approval on a monthly basis.  Please read the prerequisites and application requirements.  Membership is granted at the discretion of Board of Governors. You will be notified of your membership after the Board of Governors meetings on a monthly basis.

We look forward to your membership and participation in the SOC.

Due to COVID 19, the SOC is only accepting membership applications via email.  Do not mail.  Please email: Membership@soc.org

Active Member

Applicants for active membership should:

  • Be able to demonstrate significant accomplishment as a camera operator with noteworthy credits in your area of concentration.
  • Be able to provide credits demonstrating your experience as a camera operator for a period of five years or more.
  • In addition, being a camera operator must be a significant part of your primary professional effort.

Note: Using the SOC initials after your name is limited to camera operating screen credits only. When credited as the director or director of photography, the SOC initials MAY NOT be used.

For Guild members, the date of re-rating as a camera operator is generally considered the beginning of the five-year period.

Camera operators who do not feel they meet the criteria for active membership are encouraged to apply as an Associate member. Associate members may request review for active membership status at any time.

Membership Benefits:

SOC members enjoy a variety of benefits as part of their membership:

  • Active members have full voting privileges and the authority to request SOC be added to their operating credit on any project. Note: Using the SOC initials after your name is limited to camera operating screen credits only. When credited as the director or director of photography, the SOC initials MAY NOT be used.
  • Subscription to the Society’s quarterly magazine: Camera Operator
  • Access to all meetings, seminars, workshops and, general membership meetings (twice annually), and Society functions
  • Membership newsletter
  • Listing on the SOC.Org website & published in Camera Operator Magazine
  • Opportunity to make editorial content contributions to the Camera Operator magazine
  • Involvement on any of the Society’s standing committees (per the committee requirements)
  • Access to our Membership Content portal

Initiation Fee:
US $250
Annual Renewal Fees:
US $175

For further information:  email, membership@soc.org.

Associate Member

Associate Requirements
Associate membership is available to those who do not meet the criteria for Active membership, but share mutual interests with camera operators or are engaged in any technical area. This would include directors of photography, directors, camera assistants, technical directors, technical specialists, DITs and so forth.

Associate Membership Benefits:

SOC members enjoy a variety of benefits as part of their Associate membership:

  • Subscription to the Society’s quarterly magazine: Camera Operator
  • Access to all meetings, seminars, workshops and, general membership meetings (twice annually), and Society functions (Note: Some seminars are “hands-on” and specifically for working Camera Operators. Associate Members may be limited to observing at these events.
  • Membership newsletter
  • Listing on the SOC.Org website & published in Camera Operator Magazine
  • If an Associate Member wishes to become an Active Member of the SOC  they will pay the difference between the Associate Membership and the Active Membership initiation fee.  Associate Membership is open to any member of the entertainment industry or any individual interested in the art of the Camera Operating.
  • Access to our Membership Content portal

Associate members may NOT use the SOC initials after their names on any screen credits.

Initiation Fees: 
US $175
Annual Renewal Fees:
US $115

For further information:  email, membership@soc.org.

Educator Member

The SOC believes that it is important for every Educator to understand the Camera Operator’s position within the camera department as well as the broader aesthetic and practical contributions skilled Camera Operators regularly make to production of every kind.

The Educator Membership enables full-time faculty members to be a valuable link between the Society of Camera Operators and students, and gives members access to SOC events, resources and networking opportunities with some of the finest and most respected professional Camera Operators in the industry.

Educator Membership Benefits:

  • Subscription to the Society’s quarterly magazine: Camera Operator
  • Access to all meetings, seminars, workshops and, general membership meetings (twice annually), and Society functions (Note: Some seminars are “hands-on” and specifically for working Camera Operators. Associate Members may be limited to observing at these events.
  • Membership newsletter
  • Listing on the SOC.Org website & published in Camera Operator Magazine
  • Access to our Membership Content portal.

Educator members may NOT use the SOC initials after their names on any screen credits.

Initiation Fees:
US $50
Annual Renewal Fees:
US $50

For further information:  email, membership@soc.org.

Student Associate Requirements

Student Associate Membership enables full-time students to become familiar with the art and craft of the Camera Operator and benefit from personally getting to know some of the finest and most respected professional Camera Operators in the industry.

Student Membership Benefits:

  • Subscription to the Society’s quarterly magazine: Camera Operator
  • Access to all meetings, seminars, workshops and, general membership meetings (twice annually), and Society functions (Note: Some seminars are “hands-on” and specifically for working Camera Operators. Associate Members may be limited to observing at these events.
  • Membership newsletter
  • Listing on the SOC.Org website & published in Camera Operator Magazine
  • Access to our Membership Content portal.

If a Student Member wishes to become an Associate Member of the SOC upon graduation they will be exempt from the Associate Membership initiation fee (a $100 savings).

SOC Student Membership is only open to students actively enrolled in a full time undergraduate or graduate educational programs.

Student members may NOT use the SOC initials after their names on any screen credits.

Initiation Fees:
US $50
Annual Renewal Fees:
US $50

For further information:  email, membership@soc.org.

Corporate Membership

Corporate members are key to the Society’s vision and efforts and the SOC has created opportunities to engage with the membership.  Thank you in advance for considering a Corporate membership.

Corporate Membership Benefits:

  • Subscription to the Society’s quarterly magazine: Camera Operator
  • Membership newsletter
  • Listing on the SOC.Org website & published in Camera Operator Magazine
  • Corporate Member Logo and URL link posted on the SOC website (home page rotation and listed on the Corporate Member page with URL)
  • Corporate Member listed in the SOC quarterly magazine Camera Operator.
  • One annual email blast for SOC member events, Corporate Member services or offer announcements that benefit the SOC membership. (Minimum of 15-day window in requesting email. HTML must be built by Corporate Member)
  • Opportunity to sponsor the General Meetings, SOC Gathering or present your technology to the membership in a workshop

*** New Corporate Members will be presented with a beautiful custom calligraphic certificate.

We offer other advertising opportunities in our magazine, at the Lifetime Achievement Awards and online. For further information:  Jeff Victor, jvictor@techwoodmedia.com, 847-721-2730 or Kristin Petrovich, Kristin@Createasphere.com, 818-388-2306.