A Step-By-Step Guide for NEWBIES: How to Earn Your CPP Certification

This article is dedicated to those of you who are just starting out with the CPP process to become a certified photographer.

If you took the CPP Exam and did not pass, then click here.First of all, I’d like to congratulate you on making a choice to pursue a CPP certification. Due to the massive amount of amateur photographers flooding the industry, your desire to increase your photographic skills and become certified will put you in a league of your own. Some Quick Statistics:

photo credit: luigi diamanti

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 152,000 professional photographers in 2008, and projected to grow 12% to 169,500 by 2018. Nearly 71 % of certified professionals say that credentials give them more prestige among their colleagues. Salary Survey: Monitoring Your Net Worth, CertMag, 2005 You will stand out from the crowd with a CPP certification. Before we begin, I’d just like to introduce myself. My name is Jaime, and I passed the CPP exam back in March of 2011.

Studying and passing the CPP exam was very difficult.  I spent hours digging through forums and watching random webinars on the internet to prepare for the exam. Thank goodness I found a supportive local study group that could answer some questions that seemed too confusing for me to understand from the 400+ page book Pearson¤Education Book: Photography, 10th ed. by Barbara London, John Upton, Jim Stone. I started this website as an easy-to-use (and free) resource to make the exam process less of a headache for you and to hopefully be there to answer any questions you may have during your journey. I passed the exam in March 2011 but I am so passionate about you passing this exam that I will continue to update this site and make it a reliable source for you.

Here is an article you will enjoy: Is The CPP Photography Exam Hard To Pass?

Becoming a CPP Professional

If you have questions about what CPP is all about and how the become a CPP then this can benefit you, click here. Obtaining your CPP Certification is a 3-Step Process: #1 – Declare your Candidacy here #2 – Pass the CPP Certification Exam #3 – Pass the Image Submission Review

Declaring Your Candidacy

First, I would like to say that anyone can register their candidacy with the PPCC (Professional Photographic Certification Commission). Unlike other professional exams, that require years of work in the field, this certification does not require field time. It does require you to pay $100 to declare your candidacy. You then have three years to pass the CPP exam and image submission review. If you do not pass after three years then your candidacy is voided and you have to start the process over.

Passing the CPP Certification Exam

After you have declared your candidacy then you need to start studying for the CPP exam. You can find a location for the CPP Exam here. There are three types of exams: Commercial, Portrait and Sports. When you sign up for the time and location for the exam, you will specify which version of the exam you want to take. You can take the exam multiple times if needed. Here are some details about the CPP Exam:

• 100 Multiple Choice Questions
• 2 Hour Time Limit
• 70 Correct Answers to Pass
• Scantron Exam (bring two #2 pencils!)

What to Study and How to Study for the CPP Exam  Watch a Video about “How To Study For The CPP Exam” The CPP exam is based off of the Pearson¤Education Book: Photography, 10th ed. by Barbara London, John Upton, Jim Stone. I used the 10th Edition book because it had more digital information but any edition after the 9th Edition will be sufficient. The Photography book is a 400+ book chalk-full for great information so I would highly suggest that you pick it up, even if you plan to use a study guide to help you study. It does help to use the Photography book along with a study guide at the same time.

You can purchase the Pearson¤Education Book: Photography, 10th ed. by Barbara London, John Upton, Jim Stone with this link. In addition to what’s located in the Pearson¤Education Book: Photography, 10th ed. by Barbara London, John Upton, Jim Stone book, information from the PPCC website is all fair game for the exam as well.

As you can probably tell, there is a lot to learn, which is why I recommend using a study guide to supplement your studying. I could not find a single study guide or practice exam for this exam. That is why I created the CPP Exam “Piece Of Cake” Study Guide. It will be your BFF by the end of your studying!

Probably the best way to practice for the exam after you believe you’ve learned what you need to know is by taking practice tests. I added a 100 question exam at the end of my study guide. I created these questions from the content in the Pearson¤Education Book: Photography, 10th ed. by Barbara London, John Upton, Jim Stone Any questions that are similar to the exam questions are all coincidental due to the fact that similar material is covered for the exam. I have the highest respect for the PPCC and their code of ethics. I structured the questions in a similar style as the exam but I did not use any “exact” questions for the exam. This study guide was made in the name of education for the entire industry and to help other photographers pursue a higher level of excellence in their work and life. (Okay – I will get off my soapbox now).

Lastly, you are free to use any of the resources found on the homepage of certifiedphotographer.net. There are helpful tips and charts that are free, which should help you memorize and prepare for the CPP Exam.

Passing the Image Submission Review

The next step is passing the Image Submission Review. Some people pass this first before the CPP exam. It is your choice as to which step you would like to take first. You submit 20 images to the PPCC here. NEW EFFECTIVE JUNE 24th, all submissions are required to submit 6 compulsory images along with 14 images from client work in the past 24 months. The first 6 images must be the compulsory images. The compulsory images comprise of 3 mandatory and 3 elective images. The three mandatory images must demonstrate Short Lighting 3:1 ratio, Broad Lighting 3:1 ratio and Selective focus with minimal depth of field within your specialty (note: senior photographers cannot submit landscape photography). Images 4, 5 and 6 most choose from the following list to demonstrate: High Key Image, Low Key Image, Rule of Thirds, Use of Shape, Form, and Texture, Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical), color harmony, “s” curve line, assertive, angular, or masculine line, or architectural. If your first 6 compulsory images are not “up to snuff” then the entire portfolio will be rejected. You will receive a letter (in a blue envelope) in the mail 1-2 weeks after submitting your images to inform you of the passing or failing of your images. After you pass the CPP and Image Submission Review then you are officially a Certified Professional Photographer!

Last Note from Jaime

I hope this information has helped you get a good idea how the CPP Certification process works. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them below in the comments section, and I’ll do my best to find you the correct answer as soon as I can. Since this is an open forum format website, people in the future with the same question may benefit from you asking yours now – so please don’t hesitate to do so. Sign up below to receive FREE CPP EXAM TIPS.

I wish you very best of luck! You can do this!

“Life gives you choices. Not chances. It is what you do with the choices that determines the quality of your life.” – Mikki Williams

Warm Regards,

Jaime