Presenter – Francie Baltazar Stonestreet

Would you like to have a specific way to differentiate yourself from every other photographer out there?  Every wondered what it would be like to get your “Certified Professional Photographer” (CPP) designation?    Would you like to add your name to the list of less than 3000 photographers worldwide who have received their CPP?  Would you like help and support from CPP’s locally and across the country?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, You will want to attend the DPPA’s April 9^th program.  The Secrets To Earning Your CPP will be revealed at the  program and you will know exactly the steps you need to take to earn this most esteemed designation.

Even if your images speak for themselves – CPP turns up the volume on your work and gives your clients the confidence in choosing a professional photographer who has passed a rigorous exam and image review which met specific standards in the industry.  You can market your CPP to really stand out from the competition.

It is often said “anything easy is probably not worth pursuing.”  For each photographer who chooses to seek their CPP and declare their candidacy it is a personal journey.  For some it’s a walk in the park, for others it is challenging, and for some it changes the way they shoot and how they view photography.  No matter where you are in photography career it takes commitment and an openness to learn or relearn information and skills as it relates to photography and technical proficiency.

You can be assured that you will be different after going through the process and you will be better.  Many CPP’s have said that after going through the process their confidence increased, their business increased and their clients are willing to pay more for higher quality work.

How can becoming a CPP help you?

• ·         Marketing – with the industry growing faster than ever and 1000’s of new people calling themselves “professional photographers”,   CPP is the way to distinguish yourself from the masses.
• ·         Pricing – with the digital age everyone is a photographer but a smaller percentage are true professional photographers.  With your CPP you send a loud and clear message to your clients that you value education and are willing to work to become a CPP.  In addition, you are required to recertify every 5 years.  All of this education and training reflects in your image quality and your professionalism which clients are willing to pay for.
• ·         CPP Peer Group. – There are specific CPP programs at Imaging USA & there are online forums just for those with CPP who support and help each other.

If you would like to learn more about CPP and the process to become a CPP, please join us at the April 9th meeting.  

A Note from the Presenter Francie Baltazar Stonestreet:

I have great passion CPP as I believe as an industry of professionals; we are only as strong as our weakest link.  While there are many fabulous photographers who are not CPP, I believe that if every photographer who is a professional would get their CPP this would become the gold standard in the industry. 

Last year, I assisted 30 photographers in passing their image submissions and support 25 of those through the testing process so that they could receive their CPP.

Photography has always been a part of my life and January 2009 I received my CPP and have been advocating and supporting others to achieve their CPP since that time.

I am a full-time professional photographer specializing weddings, engagements and bridal sessions, I continue to use the information gained through my CPP every day.  I use CPP as a way to distinguish myself in the highly competitive wedding market.