The other “Masters”

Well, poor Tiger Woods didn’t win the Masters this weeked, (don’t get me started…).  But today I want to talk about other credentials.

 I recieved the official notification that I have been awarded the designation of "Craftsman of Photographics Arts" by the Professional Photographers of Canada. PPOC states "PPOC members can achieve awards – Master of Photographic Arts, Service of Photographic Arts, and Craftsman of Photographic Arts – by accumulating merits through participation in the PPOC national print show, by working for the association or its provincial member associations, and by promoting professional photography within the community."

It takes a lot of Merits, I’ll tell ya!    But it’s a continual learning process, and I am a total sponge. For all you photographers out there that are in business as photographers, I really recommend you join either your local PPOC affiliate, or your PPA affiliate. Or any other professional organization in the field that supports excellence in professional photography.  I know the photojournalists have an organization, so do the wildlife people and so on.  But whichever applies to your style of shooting, I really urge you to join.

It’s the recogntion of your peers that is the wind at your back, pushing you to excel, and nudging you our of your comfort zone.  And this, we all have been told, is where we LEARN.  You can also leave your ego at home – there are always far more talented, experienced and accomplished photographers in these organizations than you or I will ever be, but the beauty is they are all so willing to share it all.

I’m now shooting for 2 more Accreditations, not sure which classifications yet, and then the Masters. (…and then the world, muahahahaha!).  I won’t get a green jacket (thankfully – I think they look hideous! Give them a Don Cherry blazer or something equally outrageous – but a green jacket? C’mon…), but I will get another medal.  woohoo.