Earning my CPP

Twenty eighteen ended with a bang when I earned my Certified Professional Photographer designation from Professional Photographers of America. I received the news via an email but wouldn’t believe it until Christmas Eve morning when I opened the front door of my house and found a tube with my certificate inside. This was truly the best gift I received this holiday season!

So what does it mean to be a CPP? Photographers must complete an intensive program that measures her artistic and technical competence. This includes passing a 100 question written exam and submitting a 15 image portfolio to be judged by a panel of judges on technical proficiency . Of these images, 6 are compulsory and 9 are from client work photographed within the last 2 years. Professional Photographers of America currently recognizes fewer than 2,500 CPPs. I am honored to join a prestigious group of photographers.

For me, earning my CPP was more than just the opportunity to add 3 letters to my name. I’m always striving to to learn and grow as a photographer. Going through this process helped me understand what I needed to do to take my work to a new and higher level. Not only has my work improved, but it also boosted confidence in myself as an artist. I began this journey almost 2 years ago when I signed up to take a CPP prep class. And I’m so grateful I did.