What they (PPA or whatever) usually mean by full time is that your sole souce of income is photography. That is you do not work a regular job and do photography on the side. No one shoots 40 hours a week, unless they are putting in a 120 hour work week (grin). The references from other members who recognise you as a professional is most the important of the requirements, they do not want incompedents using their logo.
I can understand that it is hard to meet other members when you are out there in the boonies. Drop around and visit some studios when you are in the city, some will be curmudgeons that don't want the competion you represent, but most will be happy to look at your book and talk about the business with you when they realize you are serious. One of them will probably be willing to sponser you.
Anybody in any business should belong to the appropriate professional association. It is important enough that it is always tax deductable. That said, I never belonged to one myself. I realize in my old age that I was stupid not to.
-- graywolf http://graywolfphoto.com
"You might as well accept people as they are, you are not going to be able to change them anyway."
