3 Steps 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, 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 a Certified Professional Photographer.

In an effort to obtain your Certified Professional Photographer certification, you have to take part in a three step process. Initially, you need to express your candidacy with the PPCC (Professional Photographic Commission Committee). Next, you have to pass the CPP examination. Lastly, you need to pass the image submission review.

Step one is expressing your candidacy. In contrast to other professional certifications that require years of work in the industry, this accreditation does not require industry time. It does expect you to pay $100 to announce your candidacy and show client work you've completed in the past two years. After this you have 3 years to pass the CPP exam and image submission evaluation. If you do not pass after three years then your candidacy is voided and you've got to start the process over.

Once you have expressed your candidacy then you need to begin studying for the CPP exam. You will find three types of exams: Commercial, Portrait and Sports. When you sign up for the time and location for the exam, you will indicate which type of the examination you want to take. You'll take the test several times if needed. It is a 100 multiple choice question examination with a two hour time period limit. You will need seventy correct answers to pass and it is a Scantron test.

The next step is passing the Image Submission Review. Some people pass this first prior to CPP exam. It is your choice as to which action you would like to take first. You upload twenty photos to the PPCC. All submissions need to submit six compulsory photos along with fourteen pictures from customer work in the past 24 months.

The initial six pictures must be the compulsory images. The compulsory images comprise of three compulsory and three elective pictures. The three 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 must be 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 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.