By now you know that I've made the pledge to help 1,000 photographers become a CPP. The CWSP program provides an educational forum that will be of no cost to you. That's right. It's 100 percent free. Once in the beginning stages of joining the CPP family, you will have the opportunity to participate in the CWSP forum that will offer webinars, downloads, study groups, trainings and three-day classes to prepare you for the certification exam.
To learn everything about the CPP certification process, we've created a checklist that explains what certification is, why it's important and how it's done. Consider it your guide to success.
Everywhere you go, people are marketing themselves as professional photographers. Unfortunately, anyone can identify as a professional photographer without any value. Sure there are photographers out there who meet the criteria of being a professional, but the common problem is that they are not a CPP. Even if your work provides the best of the best, you will not be recognized as such without the CPP certification.
To become a CPP, you must declare your candidacy with the Professional Photographic Certification Commission (PPCC). The PPCC is an independent organization that acts as the governing body for certifying photographers.
First, the PPCC is looking for photographers who keep up with current trends and exemplify competency for their clients. The process of becoming a CPP (and maintaining your designation) will help you become an even better photographer. To ensure your level of expertise and competency in the latest industry trends, you'll need to complete the three-step CPP process:
1. Declare your candidacy with the PPCC by visiting www.certifiedphotographer.com and filling out the application and paying the appropriate fee.
2. Pass a 100 question comprehensive written exam measuring technical expertise. The CPP exam will take place in San Antonio, Texas with Sandy Puc' at Imaging USA.Sandy will also be taking the exam to renew her current CPP certification, and she would like for you to join her! Dates and registration information for the exam in San Antonio will be announced in the coming weeks on the www.certifiedphotographer.com website. When the dates are announced, candidates who register for the San Antonio exam will be notified of exactly where to go.
3. Successfully pass a PPCC Image Submission Review of your body of work (portfolio).
Finally, once you've become a CPP, you will need to renew your designation every 5 years.
By earning the CPP designation, you are not only advancing yourself, but the entire photography industry. The CPP process will help you achieve marketing and business advantages. Additionally, you will be identified as one of the few photographers in the world with this certification.
Upon completing all requirements to become a CPP, you will be able to promote yourself as a CPP anywhere in the world. You will also be able to use your certification as a terrific marketing tool to set yourself apart from other competition and contribute to making the photography industry its absolute best.
