Certifications: Is it necessary to pay to be "certified" as a photographer? Certified Photographer, Advanced Photographer, Master Photographer, Pro Photographer, Assistant Instructor...

Dgratzinger Loc: Pennsylvania

Is it necessary to pay to be "certified" as a photographer?

Certified Photographer, Advanced Photographer, Master Photographer, Pro Photographer, Assistant Instructor, Master Pro / Master Instructor

Do these mean anything other than something I can post on my website?

Thanks Donna.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Do you have those titles ?

Where / How did you get them ?

Can you use them ?

Only if you have paper to back them up I suppose

Sarge
' Picture Taker '
:thumbup: :thumbup:

Dgratzinger Loc: Pennsylvania

Hey Sarge69,
I don't have any of those certifications. They are available for a price on betterphoto.com website. You need to earn so many credits by taking classes before you become eligible to even purchase the certification. Then, you need to submit a series of photos showing you have learned specific skills and techniques.
I'm just wondering if it is worth the $75 to have such certifications?
Thanks,
Donna

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Certifications, like titles are great looking but not many folks would recognize the work you went through to get them.

I am a member of a boat club but if I put:

Seamanship Certified
Weather Certified
Piloting Certified
Advanced Piloting Certified
GPS Certified
Radio Tech Certified

on my card, it would confuse folks. I think 'Certified Photographer' has a ring to it.

Good luck with the classes.

Sarge
:lol: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Dgratzinger Loc: Pennsylvania

LOL, thanks Sarge69... point well taken!
Donna

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dgratzinger wrote:

Is it necessary to pay to be "certified" as a photographer?

Certified Photographer, Advanced Photographer, Master Photographer, Pro Photographer, Assistant Instructor, Master Pro / Master Instructor

Do these mean anything other than something I can post on my website?

Thanks Donna.

A couple of years ago, one of the local counties was debating whether or not to certify electricians. I always assumed that they had to be certified. If they can't agree on certifying electricians, I don't think certifying photographers would be anywhere on their ToDo list. :D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

sarge69 wrote:

Certifications, like titles are great looking but not many folks would recognize the work you went through to get them.

I am a member of a boat club but if I put:

Seamanship Certified
Weather Certified
Piloting Certified
Advanced Piloting Certified
GPS Certified
Radio Tech Certified

on my card, it would confuse folks. I think 'Certified Photographer' has a ring to it.

Good luck with the classes.

Sarge
:lol: :thumbup: :thumbup:

So you're not certified to take pictures, then? :D

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dgratzinger wrote:

Is it necessary to pay to be "certified" as a photographer?

Certified Photographer, Advanced Photographer, Master Photographer, Pro Photographer, Assistant Instructor, Master Pro / Master Instructor

Do these mean anything other than something I can post on my website?

Thanks Donna.

Although I know nothing about this topic, that's never held me back before. I doubt that there are any agreed-upon standards for what constitutes a Pro, Master, or Advanced photographer, nor would there be a governing body.

Unlike flying, scuba diving, or doing electrical work, photography is not usually a life or death situation. Of course if you were the wedding photographer for a mob boss's daughter, that could be scary. Even someone who managed to get certified might produce poor quality photos. It sounds like a way for someone to take money from people by "certifying" them.

If you see a top quality photographer working, you might say to someone, "See that guy with the camera? He's certifiable." That could be taken two ways. :D

Fifty-Fifty Loc: Arkansas

.... Of course if you were the wedding photographer for a mob boss's daughter, that could be scary. .....

OHHH mental pic pops up ...two goons off to the side talking...."wow looka there , the boss hires the handicap"..."ohh, whatya talking about"...."that guy takin da pictures hes only got one arm and one eye"...."Oh him he wasn't allways like that....one day he blurred the victims face and da bosses was in focus, lost an arm for that one...his eye, he lost that cuz he took a picture of da boss and da bosses GF was in da background"

that would be considered a bad day at the office IMO..

Picdude Loc: Ohio

Dgratzinger wrote:

Is it necessary to pay to be "certified"... (show quote)

Some people will be impressed with the title, some will be more impressed with examples of your work.

My questions are: 1) Do you take the classes from betterphoto.com or from somewhere else and have to submit proof of completion. 2) If the classes are taken through betterphoto.com why should you have to pay an additional $75.00 for certification. 3) If you have to take the classes somewhere else and submit proof to betterphoto.com then aren't they just charging you $75.00 for either a piece of paper or a PDF file you print out on your own paper?

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Who is betterphoto, and what qualifies them to certify anyone for anything? It sounds like a great moneymaking scam.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

As stated already, there has to be universal recogniation of that title/certification for it to mean something. Much like educational degrees (bachelor, master, doctor).

I qualify to get at least two more "cetications" in my profession. I have asked myself is it really worth the money and continuing education to get more initials behind my name? So far my answer is NO. I have published in the areas of these certiciations and I am satisfied to be known for what I know and do instead of getting more letters to add to my name.

wisecrafter Loc: Pocahontas, Arkansas

Just take pictures. Post um where they can be seen. If they are good you are certified as a photographer. If they arent you arent.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

When other carpenters wanted to be a "master carpenter" like Norm Abrams, it leaked out that his show producers awarded him that title.

Myself, as a subcontractor, I was a "Lowe's Certified Installer" when I had never even talked to anyone at Lowe's. Guess it's supposed to impress the customers. :)

EDIT: Also in 5 years, no one ever asked how I got "certified".

Dgratzinger Loc: Pennsylvania

Picdude wrote:

quote=Dgratzinger Is it necessary to pay to be &q... (show quote)

Pic dude, you have to take the classes there to qualify. Agree.