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Certified Professional Photographer
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Jan 11, 2017 11:56:15   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
rpavich wrote:
Now don't go breaking the rules of the 'hog by knowing what you are talking about before you comment!!!

:)


OMG - you're right! Sorry.

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Jan 11, 2017 12:09:14   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
leftj wrote:
Hmmm - I like the wild west carnival side show that goes on in this forum. It's real, not some stuffy forum where if someone questions or disagrees with another's opinion they are deemed to be discourteous and kicked off.


I didn't say that. We disagree all the time. But we keep the discussion professional, not personal. Making it personal, calling people names, questioning them in a condescending manner - that's what makes it discourteous. BIG difference. And yes, I have spit my coffee through my nose on more than one occasion after reading some of the stuff that gets posted here.

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Jan 11, 2017 12:22:28   #
Capturing Memories
 
To BuckeyeBilly,

Well said!!

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Jan 11, 2017 12:59:43   #
homefree21
 
There are other benefits to PPA, discounts off Apple products and other companies, many training videos, I have had their insurance with an extra marine policy added and have used it several times and it was amazingly easy to use. I have passed the exam, havent done my image submission yet. I think its a little more important for portrait photograpghers these days because it does help you stand out in the croud of shoot and burners. Just using the Apple discount has paid for my membership several times from the savings I could not find elsewhere.

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Jan 11, 2017 13:44:58   #
G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK
 
There are loads of Professional Trade Associations. In the main they cost money to 'allow you' to use their logo on your advertisements. They may even offer you professional legal advice 'when needed' and on-going 'personal development' that you will have to pay for.

If you think your customers expect something like this, buy into it. Otherwise Work carefully (and insured) Know where to get your legal advice and keep current with both trends and training. Most of which you can get free!

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Jan 11, 2017 13:52:18   #
ecurb1105
 
Simple, join PPA and you buy certification.

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Jan 11, 2017 14:06:51   #
jmcgloth Loc: Ocean Park, WA
 
billnikon wrote:
I remember my Dad, an electrical engineer, got into a book called " Who's Who in Engineering". If he didn't pay every year, he would not be in the next copy of the book. If your work sells, then your a professional, if it doesn't sell, your not a professional, it is that easy to tell the pro from the rest.


you're not a professional

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Jan 11, 2017 14:39:41   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
leftj wrote:
Hmmm - I like the wild west carnival side show that goes on in this forum. It's real!


THIS IS REAL?!?!
Hmmmm, that changes everything!
I'm gonna have to reevaluate what the heck I'm doing here.
Never realized it was real!
Lefty, your just kidding....., right?!?! You're scaring me!!!!
SS

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Jan 11, 2017 15:26:52   #
GraveyDave
 
Used to see all kinds of sites where a photographer was going to speak at an event and had all these letters after their names denoting some type of master photography degree. Never understood where you got it and I always thought if this person is constantly writing and judging shows and giving seminars, I want no part of it. You can't shoot and conduct these activities at the same time (sometimes their staff did all the work and they took the credit). It's usually some new invention or another way of doing things and a promise to rate your portfolio that bring people in. It may, somehow, comfort a potential client into at least knowing the person will show up to the event they're hired for. People in those groups take their profession seriously and have quite a few friends all over the world they've managed to network with who take offense to one of their own not living up to professional standards. I've heard tons of stories and have worked for people who were less than honest about their intentions of showing up or delivering their work. This past New Years Eve I did a wedding with less than 100 people and I heard 5 or 6 stores about weddings and other events paid in full and never delivered (of course, I've been on the other end of not getting paid for great work too).
I was a member of NPPA back when I was a journalist in NY. You had to show examples of your work (and some other stuff I can't recall now) in order to be a member (about $100/yr in dues). You learned a lot about what was going on in the world of journalism from colleagues while waiting for the president or other dignitaries (and waiting outside of court or at election night headquarters). The monthly (or was it quarterly?) newsletter gave more specifics about court cases and other major things happening to people we know in our profession as well as some great work and interviews with the photographer. The inner workings of lawsuits against high profile people (and other publications) for using our work without payment or recognition is pretty cool to hear about us little peons suing (and winning) against people like Martha Stuart or Rush Limbaugh. (In all fairness, most people like the two I just mentioned, were unaware of our rights as photographers in the digital age and almost always settled out of court when they discovered it. My wildly liberal friend, Steve, still has a signed copy of Rush Limbaugh's portrait on his wall for comic relief - it was sent with a payment and, I think, an apology). There's lots of information to give someone out there on their own and a large group of (mostly) honest pros who can help if we get bogged down with personal or professional problems and don't want to hurt a client.

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Jan 11, 2017 16:09:40   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
quagmire wrote:
How does one get this


From reading the serious responses I would say join if you are serious about the profession. It is a surprise you don't know about it though if you are working professionally.
I can be an Architect and not a member of the AIA. But to many people AIA means Architect. The AIA has continuing education requirements annual meetings, local and national advocacy on behalf of Architects. I would imagine from reading responses the PPA does this as well. $200.00 is a real bargain as the AIA is over $700.00 a year. Give it a try for a year and see if it has value, but you will need to be proactive and take advantage of the opportunities they offer or forget it.

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Jan 11, 2017 16:11:32   #
Bill P
 
Simple, you write a check. I've known a lot of professionals, from my days as one, and some had the PPA certificate, which involved more than anything, money, as to get one you had to go to their special school every summer. And every one of them was a mediocre photographer. If you're good, you don't need the piece of paper.

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Jan 11, 2017 16:36:00   #
via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP
 
quagmire wrote:
How does one get this


I think the website explains it all?

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Jan 11, 2017 21:14:15   #
Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA
 
I think several people have posted intelligent explanations of the workings of PPA. I personally feel it is a great source of more education in the many aspects of photography that requires completing online courses as well as having your photos judged - yes one can be a pro photographer BUT just how many of the massive amount of subjects are you professionally skilled at - weddings, sports,mountain landscapes the list goes on and on.
I belonged to a large camera club - California N4C - it took years and quite a few first place winners in competition to move up to the point where one was graded as pro quality photographer.
.

LFingar wrote:
You would start by checking out their site, which Mogul posted. A friend of mine, who just celebrated his 40th year as a studio owner, is a member and holds several degrees from them. I know he gets called upon to judge professional competitions. He is also quite successful in his work and is more knowledgeable about photography then anyone I have ever met. I don't know if any of that has anything to do with his membership in the PPA, but it certainly does not seem to have hurt him.

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Jan 11, 2017 21:30:10   #
CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver
 
ecurb1105 wrote:
Simple, join PPA and you buy certification.


Another person who does not know what he is talking about. You cannot buy the Certification.

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Jan 11, 2017 21:38:25   #
Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA
 
Gee you mean one has to do classes, pass "tests" show advancing skills - stuff that takes time, energy and active participation - no wonder I didn't join them.

Ya - I'll keep my amiture/hobbiest status.

CaptainC wrote:
Another person who does not know what he is talking about. You cannot buy the Certification.

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