By Charlie Armstrong


A number of people wonder if they need a formal education in order to become a certified professional photographer. Fortunately that 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 Certified Professional Photographer.

In order to acquire your Certified Professional Photographer certification, you need to participate in a 3 step process. Initially, you need to express your candidacy with the PPCC (Professional Photographic Commission Committee). Second, you have to pass the CPP exam. Then finally, you must pass the image submission review.

The first step is expressing your candidacy. Unlike other professional accreditations that require years of work in the field, this accreditation does not need industry time. It does require you to pay $100 to declare your candidacy and show client work you have completed in the past two years. After this you have three years to pass the CPP test and image submission review. If you do not pass after three years then your candidacy is voided and you've got to start this 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 site 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 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 6 compulsory photos along with fourteen pictures from customer work in the past 24 months.

The initial 6 photos must be the compulsory pictures. The compulsory photos comprise of 3 mandatory and 3 elective images. The 3 mandatory images must independently exhibit Short Lighting 3:1 ratio, Broad Lighting 3:1 ratio and Selective focus with minimal depth of field in your niche (note: senior photographers cannot submit landscape photography).

Photos 4, 5 and 6 most pick 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 your 1st six mandatory pictures aren't satisfactory then the whole portfolio will be turned down. You will receive a letter in the mail 1-2 weeks right after presenting your pictures to inform you of the passing or failing of your images. Right after completing and passing this 3 step certification procedure, then you are officially a Certified Professional Photographer.




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