Accreditation
PPA Master Photographer (2020)
What is the Master of Photography degree?
The Master of Photography (M.Photog.) degree is awarded to photographers for their superior photographic skills demonstrated by image excellence in portraits, illustrative, commercial, reportage, and albums, as well as advanced education, and service to the industry.
How did I earn this degree?
To earn a Master of Photography degree I was required to earn 25 merits through Professional Photographers of America. I earned a combination of 13 Image merits (each image had to judge by a 5 jury panel achieve the benchmark of "12 elements of a Merit Image") and 12 additional merits through education, service and leadership in my local photography community. This took me about 5yrs to accomplish!
Certified Professional Photographer (2021)
Every industry has its benchmark. The Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation is Professional Photographer of America's! To achieve this, I had to take an extensive exam to demonstrate the I know and can use the different aspects of being a professional photographer including the technical aspects of cameras, lenses, lighting, posing, editing and printing images. Every 3 years we must recertify.
World Photographic Cup (2019)
In 2019 my first image to get an "Image Excellence" distinction from PPA was selected, along with 17 other finalists to represent the United States in the World Photographic Cup. This is the Olympics in the photography world! My image titled "Left Behind" was one of 3 images in it's category. That year, I am proud to say that the USA won the gold!
Published in PPA Magazine (2021)
One of my competition images that achieved the "Image Excellence" distinction was selected to be highlighted in the February 2021 "Professional Photographer" magazine for PPA. The image titled, "Meltdown in 3...2...1" is also currently featured as "header" on the PPA member's website.
Leadership (2016-2022)
I have learned so much in my local photography community! I had the privilege of serving on the board of directors for Professional Photographers of Idaho, with the last 2 years serving as president. I have grown so much rubbing shoulders with other leaders in the industry!
Judging (2019-2022)
I have had the privilege of being invited to judge the photography entries at "The Traveling Dress Project" (2019) and twice at the "Western Idaho Fair" (2021-2022).