I recently received word that I passed the requirements to become a Certified Professional Photographer!  I am thrilled to have accomplished this goal.  I am 1 of only 19 in New Hampshire! So what does that mean?  Well, it means according Professional Photographers of America, I have met a certain standard of what a professional photographer should know and produce the quality of work that a professional in the industry should create.  It is a two part process, first a proctored exam, and then a portfolio review of 15 images.  Six images were compulsory and showed a certain technique, and nine were client images.  All these had to be taken from my last two years of work.  Here are the images that I submitted in my portfolio.

So why would this matter?  You can certainly work as a professional photographer without being certified, but why did I set this goal for myself? I believe that it will give my clients confidence in their experience with me.  Here are the things that you will get with a certified professional photographer (taken from PPA's website)

Consistency. CPPs know how to achieve great results—every time. You get a strong collection of images that tell your story, not a few lucky snapshots, and you will work with someone who knows how to produce a quality image under any circumstances.
 
Technical Skills. CPPs are more than picture takers. They are students of art, lighting, posing, fashion and even interior design. They combine these elements to create images that fit your unique style and become works of art you will treasure for generations.
 
Unique Artistry. CPPs have the skills to create unique, customized works of art—not cookie-cutter pictures. They follow an artistic vision. It’s your story captured as a collection of art.
 
Professionalism. When you hire a CPP, you know you're getting someone who is willing to go the extra mile to deliver the best possible images. They are business owners who thrive on customer service and satisfaction, and they continuously aim to produce products that exceed your—and their—best expectations. These images are keepsakes whose stories you'll tell time and time again and treasure forever.

Check out this video!