Certified Professional Photographer

Hi all,

Just finished working on a post for the blog about CPP. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the CPP movement. (here or there)

Has anyone here taken the test and become certified? Are you pursuing it? DO you think it's a bunch of BS?

Here's the post if you want to have a look.

Hatch

http://****/fNQQ0w

Hehehehe......how is it done, BTW? Yes, is BS. How do you certify an artist? Photography is mostly art. There are fundamental composition rules. Beyond that, it is all about being at the right time, at the right place, and having the right gear to do the job. If you use Canon criteria, you have to 2 bodies and one of them must a pro body. Couple of L lenses. More than 50% of your income must come from your photography business.

I'd tend to agree with TooMany here. How to you certify something that is subjective. I mean look at the Critique section on here. One person looks at a pic and says it's perfect and another can pick it apart.

I can't speak for the CPP movement but I do believe that you could certify a photographer based on the technical aspects of photography.

But I've people that know close to EVERYTHING about the technical part of photography that still can't take "interesting" images. But there goes the subjective part of the argument...

It's interesting to say the least. The big push started from what I can tell.. about August of last year? When Sandy Puc declared she wanted to help 1000 photographers become certified. No telling where it will lead.

Thanks for the comments.
Hatch

Your Story Photoart wrote in post #12094428
.
But I've people that know close to EVERYTHING about the technical part of photography that still can't take "interesting" images. But there goes the subjective part of the argument...

This was/is kind of my point about the post. In this profession it's all about the visual. Yes.. there is a huge business aspect to it as well.. but.. the client sees you work and makes the call based on how he/she likes what they see.

I've come across plenty of professionals and several newly certified professionals who are not very good. Just my opinion.. and as I stated in the blog post.. I don't think for a minute my work doesn't need improving upon. Just agreeing with your comment above.

Hatch

Hatch1921 wrote in post #12094436
It's interesting to say the least. The big push started from what I can tell.. about August of last year? When Sandy Puc declared she wanted to help 1000 photographers become certified. No telling where it will lead.

I will guess it will lead in a very different direction from if she said she wanted to help 1000 photographers become better photographers.

Dave

Hatch1921 wrote in post #12094459
This was/is kind of my point about the post. In this profession it's all about the visual. Yes.. there is a huge business aspect to it as well.. but.. the client sees you work and makes the call based on how he/she likes what they see.

I've come across plenty of professionals and several newly certified professionals who are not very good. Just my opinion.. and as I stated in the blog post.. I don't think for a minute my work doesn't need improving upon. Just agreeing with your comment above.

Hatch

Also, ask yourself this question too.....have you wonder why certain works of yours didn't sell while others were being sold??? Often times, it is not the techniques. Is rather or not your clients see any values in your works. I have sold shots which I would consider so-so. However, I was able to capture my clients in the right moment.

tracknut wrote in post #12094486
I will guess it will lead in a very different direction from if she said she wanted to help 1000 photographers become better photographers.

Dave

(not hostile)
What direction is that? One that will bring the profession up to a higher standard because you took the test, had your work reviewed and now you are a certified photographer? Or, will it negatively impact those who choose not to become certified?

Hatch1921 wrote in post #12094459
This was/is kind of my point about the post. In this profession it's all about the visual. Yes.. there is a huge business aspect to it as well.. but.. the client sees you work and makes the call based on how he/she likes what they see.

I've come across plenty of professionals and several newly certified professionals who are not very good. Just my opinion.. and as I stated in the blog post.. I don't think for a minute my work doesn't need improving upon. Just agreeing with your comment above.

Hatch

IMO that's the key to being "certified" Hatch, stay humble, always be willing to learn and to teach others what you know.

None of us ever "arrive" in photography. The true professionals of our field are those that even when they're knocking down award after award, continue to push themselves to the next level and learn from the last shot they snapped.

TooManyShots wrote in post #12094497
Also, ask yourself this question too.....have you wonder why certain works of yours didn't sell while others were being sold??? Often times, it is not the techniques. Is rather or not your clients see any values in your works. I have sold shots which I would consider so-so. However, I was able to capture my clients in the right moment.

I ask that during every proofing session lol I can only think of one time where the client has chosen the image I thought was their strongest.

I agree.. it's not always about the technicals.

Your Story Photoart wrote in post #12094513
IMO that's the key to being "certified" Hatch, stay humble, always be willing to learn and to teach others what you know.

None of us ever "arrive" in photography. The true professionals of our field are those that even when they're knocking down award after award, continue to push themselves to the next level and learn from the last shot they snapped.

Yes I agree with what you are saying. I just found it odd I started to go down this path in the 1st place. It might be a great thing for someone.. and I'm cool with that. When I started looking back at when all this was being marketed or pushed it made me want to find out what you all thought about CPP. Each AzPPA meeting I attended they talked about the importance of CPP and how it will help you. Just got me to thinking a little about all of this.
Hatch

tracknut wrote in post #12094486
I will guess it will lead in a very different direction from if she said she wanted to help 1000 photographers become better photographers.

Dave

I think it is about money. They offer courses for you to get certified. The whole package is like $1k. I glanced through the course lessons. The only part I may find it interesting is learning about compositions. I am sure I don't need to spend $1k to learn about how to compose my shots. No, they didn't deal with the business side of it at all. Other than that being certified it can make you more marketable. How??? By telling your clients that you are certified and they will hire you??? Now, you can also read the "Fast Track Photographer Business Plan" by Dane Sanders, you will get a good idea how to start your own photography business...without spending over $1k.

TooManyShots wrote in post #12094530
I think it is about money. They offer courses for you to get certified. The whole package is like $1k. I glanced through the course lessons. The only part I may find it interesting is learning about compositions. I am sure I don't need to spend $1k to learn about how to compose my shots. No, they didn't deal with the business side of it at all. Other than that being certified it can make you more marketable. How??? By telling your clients that you are certified and they will hire you??? Now, you can also read the "Fast Track Photographer Business Plan" by Dane Sanders, you will get a good idea how to start your own photography business...without spending over $1k.

Fast Track is a good book

Well.. each person will experience this differently. The local AzPPA has a guy who will help you prep for the certification for free.. a few Saturdays a month. So.. for him/them it wasn't about the money. Other parts of the country....?

Hatch1921 wrote in post #12094529
Yes I agree with what you are saying. I just found it odd I started to go down this path in the 1st place. It might be a great thing for someone.. and I'm cool with that. When I started looking back at when all this was being marketed or pushed it made me want to find out what you all thought about CPP. Each AzPPA meeting I attended they talked about the importance of CPP and how it will help you. Just got me to thinking a little about all of this.
Hatch

I absolutely don't think that being a CPP could hurt. Not one bit. For some photogs, it could help them alot if the course really covers photography basics (I haven't looked into it so correct me if I'm wrong) but for a veteran how much will it help?

TooManyShots wrote in post #12094530
I think it is about money. They offer courses for you to get certified. The whole package is like $1k. I glanced through the course lessons. The only part I may find it interesting is learning about compositions. I am sure I don't need to spend $1k to learn about how to compose my shots. No, they didn't deal with the business side of it at all. Other than that being certified it can make you more marketable. How??? By telling your clients that you are certified and they will hire you??? Now, you can also read the "Fast Track Photographer Business Plan" by Dane Sanders, you will get a good idea how to start your own photography business...without spending over $1k.

exactly, more marketable, HOW??? I've NEVER had a bride or portrait client come up to me and ask if I'm CPP. I understand that having that little logo on your website may be a nice bit of credibility for some but it probably won't make the phone ring.

The bottom line is if a potential looks at your images and can see themselves in them. That's what makes the phone ring.