Photographic certifications?

Seems like most professions have some type of certification process.  Heck, I've got more letters after my name than are in my name.  All medical certifications from what I used to do.  And I've got 3 different teaching certifications which took 4 different tests - 1 to teach and 3 for each of the 3 topics I can teach.

But not photography.  It's more of an apprenticeship type field, but without a requirement that you actually go through an internship. 

So do you think that the lack of proper certification hinders those starting out?  For that matter, what about those that have been shooting for years?  Sure, we can show images that we've taken.  But even that requires some level of trust from potential clients that it was actually us that took the shot.  Hang out on enough photography forums and eventually you'll come across someone that had their images stolen and that were being used in someone else's marketing. 

And I know there are photography programs out there.  You could even pick up an MFA if you wanted.  But does a photography degree make you any more legitimate in the eyes of a potential client?  Do clients care?

Along those lines though, would a PPA certification make any difference to a potential client?  Do people shopping for a photographer know to look for that as a certification, or is it just the image that matters?

I think it depends on the type of photographer you are and the type of client. An ad agency looking at a catalog job may know what the qualifications are and care about if you have them, someone looking for senior shots or a wedding probably doesn't care.

I don't think many people know the difference between PPA membership and a PPA certification. Same with NAPP which I am also a member.

There is one organization that you have to be accepted into and its not easy. WPJA but its only for wedding shooters.

The up side to no general public based certification is we all are "professional" photographers.

The down side to no general public based certification is we all are "professional" photographers.

I have a degree from an affiliate of the PPA and I use it behind my name sometimes, but as mentioned above I believe most people don't give a rip whether the photographer has any letters behind his or her name, they want to know can the photographer make them look good. 

I mentioned this interesting dittie on another site.  Back in the early 1980s a group of local photographers decided to start a professional photographers' association.  They incorporated and began having print displays at one of the larger malls in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a city of around 300,000 people. At one point we had over 40 studios and over 100 members on the roll.

About a year later I joined and began attending their monthly meetings where they would invite a hot shot photographer to show us the ropes.  We had numerous masters of photography show us how they photograph everything from apples to zebras.  Some of us were turning out flat lit, unposed, underexposed images that were typical of an unskilled amateur. 

A number of us went to professional photography schools to hone our trade.  Several decided they wanted to go all the way and become masters of photography, and they did.  It took them years and years and thousands of dollars but they finally made it.  Then a strange thing began to happen.  Several of us noticed that some of these masters' work began to look familiar.  They were again cranking out flat lit, unposed, underexposed images, instead of the perfectly lit, well posed, properly exposed images they were doing to get their masters degree. It seemed to us that these guys felt that they had "made it" now and the public would  buy anything they cranked out because they were masters.  One just filed for bankruptcy two weeks ago.

Ben Jones S.F. Photog.

There are so many initials that no one knows what they are. My dad is a Professional Engineer, so he could put P.E. behind his name, but what's the point? Would any of you know what that meant, and unless you are hiring him for a job would you care?

I think photography is the same way.

The other thing is that there are great photographers out there who just aren't interested in print competitions and certifications. They just do their job to make money and work their hardest to be the best they can personally be for their clients.
And then there are photographers out there who chase awards and certificates and don't make a dime. Benji had a great example of "masters" who didn't succeed.

I say, just do what's best for you. If it's going to school and getting letters, great. If it's learning a different way, apprenticeships, lots of practice, at your momma's knee, whatever, so be it. But if anyone has the opportunity take a few business and marketing classes! That'll do you more good than learning how to win the hearts of judges that don't pay you.

Last week, I ordered 3 books (they should arrive today or tomorrow) on the business aspects of running a business.

There's a really good photographer in the next town but he hardly makes any money. There's a hack in that same town who makes money hand over fist. All about marketing.