Ways to Become a Certified Photographer

A number of people wonder if they need a formal education in order to become a certified professional photographer. Fortunately that you do not need a formal degree but you do need photography education and knowledge about the photography industry to be able to acquire the title of Certified Professional Photographer.

In order to acquire your Certified Professional Photographer certification, you need to participate in a 3 step process. Initially, you need to express your candidacy with the PPCC (Professional Photographic Commission Committee). Second, you have to pass the CPP exam. Then finally, you must pass the image submission review.

Step one is expressing your candidacy. In contrast to other professional accreditations that require years of work in the field, this certification does not require industry time. It does require you to pay $100 to declare your candidacy and display client work you have accomplished in the past two years. After this you have three years to pass the CPP test and image submission evaluation. If you do not pass after 36 months then your candidacy is voided and you’ve got to start this process over.

Once you have declared your candidacy you’ll need to begin studying for the CPP exam. There are 3 kinds of exams: Commercial, Portrait and Sports. Once you sign up for the time and site for the exam, you will specify which type of the test you want to take. You can take the exam multiple times if needed. It’s a hundred multiple choice question exam with a 2 hour time period limit. You will need 70 correct answers to pass and it is a Scantron exam.

The next step is passing the Image Submission Review. Most people pass this first before the CPP exam. It’s your choice as to which action you would like to take first. You submit twenty images to the PPCC. All submissions need to upload 6 compulsory images along with 14 photos from customer work in the past 24 months.

The initial six pictures must be the compulsory images. The compulsory images comprise of 3 compulsory and three elective pictures. The 3 compulsory images must separately exhibit Short Lighting 3:1 ratio, Broad Lighting 3:1 ratio and Selective focus with minimal depth of field in your specialty (note: senior photographers can’t submit landscape photography).

Photos 4, 5 and 6 most pick from the following list to show: High Key Image, Low Key Image, Rule of Thirds, Use of Shape, Form, and Texture, Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical), color harmony, “s” curve line, assertive, angular, or masculine line, or architectural techniques.

If the first 6 compulsory pictures are not satisfactory then the entire portfolio will be declined. You will receive a notice in the mail 1-2 weeks right after presenting your photos to inform you of the passing or failing of your photos. Right after completing and passing this 3 step certification procedure, then you are officially a Certified Professional Photographer.

And finally, if you are interested in becoming a certified photographer, then please check out the Certified Photographer Academy.