CPP Liaisons 2016

CPP Mission Statement:

To acknowledge and validate a consistent standard by which professional photographers can achieve and maintain a recognizable mark of excellence.

What Is Certification?The certification of specialized skill-sets affirms a knowledge and experience base for practitioners in a particular field, their employers, and the public at large. Certification represents a declaration of a particular individual's professional competence. Certifications exists in many professions (i.e. CPA, CAE)

Certification Contact:Questions? Contact us at cppmailbox@ppa.comPhone: 800.786.6277 Julia Boyd: Director of Certification Cassidy Hoffman: Certification CoordinatorEmail: jboyd@ppa.com Email: choffman@ppa.comPhone: 404.522.8600 x 254 Phone: 404.522.8600 x 278

CPP LiaisonsWhat is a Certification Liaison?Certification Liaisons know the certification program inside and out. The liaison acts as a spokesperson for certification, assisting candidates and existing certified photographers as an expert and source of information. Liaisons must maintain their certification and PPA Membership and are entrusted with responsibilities to the committee to maintain the integrity of the program.

What are the benefits to being a Certification Liaison?Certification Liaisons promote certification and administer the certification program under the credentialing standards set by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). In return, Certification Liaisons are recognized publicly as liaisons and receive service merits if they are active members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

• Schedule to proctor at least one Certification Examination per year, giving significant lead time (60 days) for candidates to register and prepare.

• No service merits will be granted for volunteering if the liaison does not schedule at least one Certification Exam each year.

• Physically proctor the scheduled exam(s) and send all materials back to PPA in a timely manner for scoring.

• Allow their phone number and e-mail address to be published on the Certification Liaison List website as a contact for interested parties

• Display CPP designation on business website and/or social media accounts

• Display the CPP Liaison statement on business website and/or social media accounts:• [Name] is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) and CPP Liaison. CPP Liaisons assist candidates and existing CPPs as

subject matter experts and sources of information. Each liaison must maintain his or her certification and PPA Membership, and is entrusted with responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the program.

• Uphold the standard of excellence associated with Certification by displaying only current work which is representative of the CPP designation on professional business websites

• Maintain the confidentiality of all privileged information regarding the Certification program. This includes but is not limited to:

• Maintaining the integrity and proprietary nature of the CPP Exam

• Not proctoring exams for family members or any candidate related to the proctor without another Liaison present

• Not participating in the development or advisement of other photographic-related Certification programs.

Requirements

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Endeavor to understand the CPP program and process and be able to explain all aspects to candidates, consumers, and existing certified photographers.

• Join the CPP Liaison Facebook page.• Recruit and assist candidates through the entire certification process.• Promote the CPP program on a local and state level to photographers.• Act as the primary source of information for answers regarding certification.• Understand that liaisons are accountable to PPA, CPPs, and candidates and provide

feedback and reporting when necessary.• Communicate with PPA through the proper channels when questions arise that can't be

answered by a Certification Liaison.• Work cohesively with other Liaisons in my area if applicable.• Present the CPP Award at state conventions to highlight certification if needed.

CPP Program Review

How to Become a Certified Professional Photographer1. Declare

• Direct candidates to fill out the candidacy application. The form itself, fees, timelines, and all certification-related information including lots of FAQs can be found on: ppa.com/cpp.

• PPA Membership is required to declare candidacy

2. Take the Exam• All candidates have access to our Exam Overview & Resources page, which includes:

• Candidates need to register for the CPP Exam at least five business days prior to the exam date. They can register by completing the form at ppa.com/cpp/exam.

3. Image Submission4. Image Submission takes place five times per year and is open to current candidates who

have passed the CPP Exam. There is plenty of information on our Image Submission Overview & Resources page.

• Test Specifications• Suggested Reading• Practice Tests

• Flash cards• Prep Class Information• More!

The Application Process• CPP Candidacy is valid for a period of two (2) years from the date processed • The application fee is $200. This fee is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card

online by completing the form here: Declare My Candidacy• If an individual takes the exam prior to declaring his or her candidacy, the score will be

withheld until he or she declares. The candidacy period will be adjusted to begin on the exam date.

• Candidates can take the exam as many times as needed (once every 30 days) during their candidacy period

• Candidates must pass the CPP Exam in order to be eligible to submit their portfolio for Image Submission

• Candidates have the three (3) opportunities to successfully pass the Image Submission requirement. If after the third attempt a candidate does not pass the Image Submission, he or she can opt for re-candidacy for a $100 fee. The Re-candidacy period will last for one consecutive year and will allow three (3) additional Image Submission opportunities.

Certified Professional Photographer Exam •Each exam is comprised of 100 multiple choice questions each worth one point. The material is pulled from the test specifications found on our Exam Overview and Resources page:

•Candidates have two hours to complete the exam and must answer at least 70% correctly to pass.

•Candidates may take the exam as many times as needed (once every 30 days) at no extra cost within the two-year candidacy period.

•Results are sent out via email 2-3 weeks from the exam date. Candidates who do not pass the exam receive a score breakdown. Passing candidates receive their numeric score out of 100.

•Resources :

• Camera, Lenses and Attachments• Exposure and Meters• Lighting

• Composition and Design• Digital Post Production• Image Capture and Output

• Test Specifications• Key words• Flash Cards• Exam FAQs• Sample Test

• Core Resource + Suggested Reading List• CPP on PPAedu (7 videos)• CPP Prep Class• Glossary• Social Media Groups

Certified Professional Photographer Image Submission

•There are five Image Submission periods per year, each opened for two weeks at a time:• February 5-19, 2016• April 1-15, 2016• June 3-17, 2016• August 5-9, 2016• October 7-21, 2016

•Candidates are required to submit a 15-image portfolio:

•Candidates are able to submit their portfolios for review up to three times until it passes without incurring any extra charges. They will have access to the judges’ comments.•Resources:

Mandatory Compulsories (All 3)

Elective Compulsories (Choice of 3)

9 Client Images

• Broad Lighting• Short Lighting• Selective Focus

• High Key• Low Key• Rule of Thirds• Shape, Form and Texture• Balance

• Color Harmony• S-Curve Line• Assertive, Angular or Masculine

Line• Architectural

Images from purchased work from unique photographic assignments within the last 24 months, prepared as they are for a client.

• Requirements and Sample Images• Compulsory Videos• Image Submission Prep Class• Portfolio Comments Definitions

• Image Submission FAQs• Image Submission Portfolio Article• Webinars• Social Media Groups

Recertification

Once a member has earned the CPP designation, he or she will need to recertify every three years to keep it current.

To recertify, 15 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required, along with a payment of $100. The $100 recertification fee is waived if any of the following requirements are met:

• CPP has attended Imaging USA for the past three consecutive years in a row• CPP is an Elite or Elite Plus Member

The CEU system involved in the CPP recertification process is there to encourage CPPs to continue their journey in photography education and professional development. By participating in continuing education, CPPs help to raise the bar of our industry.

Recertification• 15 Continuing Education Units

(CEUs) every 3 years• Credits are earned by attending

face-to-face educational programming as a student

• A CPP can choose to re-take the CPP Exam if he or she does not have enough CEUs to be eligible for Recertification.

Recertification• Max of 5 CEUs for teaching or speaking at any PPA-related seminar/workshop may be used

towards the 15 CEUs required for Recertification

• 5 units = Teaching or speaking at any PPA related seminar/workshop lasting 3 or more days • 3 units = Teaching or speaking at any PPA related seminar/workshop lasting 2 or more days• 1 unit = Teaching or speaking at any PPA related seminar/workshop lasting 1 or more days

• International CPPs will receive 8 CEUs for attending their national convention of at least 3 days

CPP Prep Course Description :

A course designed to aide professional photographers in their pursuit of the CPP credential. Prep Classes are held at PPA Headquarters and Imaging USA every year as well as at Affiliate Schools throughout the year.

CPP Exam Specifications Breakdown:

•Camera, Lenses and Attachments 12%

•Exposure and Meters 15%

•Lighting 25%

•Composition and Design 25%

•Digital Post Production 13%

•Image Capture and Output 10%

CPP Liaison Toolkit

Liaisons have access to the CPP Liaison Toolkit found under the CPP Liaison Resource section of ppa.com/cpp

• CPP Candidate Fact Sheet• CPP Image Submission Requirements • Links to downloadable Video Material• CPP Test Specifications• CPP Powerpoint to use in Presentations • Liaison Signature• CPP Image Submission Definitions

Social Media Tips

Spread the Word about CPP!• Schedule your CPP Exam as soon as possible• Promote your CPP Exam• Get involved with your Local Affiliate• Give the CPP Award at photographic competitions• Mentor a CPP Candidate• Teach a Super 1 Day Class about a relevant CPP topic• Write a newsletter about CPP for your local guild• Distribute the CPP Candidate Fact Sheet at local guild meetings • Use the Liaison PowerPoint in the Toolkit to give a presentation• Work with convention chairs to recognize CPPs at banquets• Participate on theLoop• Share CPP Videos on social media • Be knowledgeable about the program by checking out our CPP FAQs

Stay Connected

Remember that as a CPP Liaison you have access to network of professional peers. Connect with your fellow Liaisons on the CPP Liaison Facebook Group and on the CPP Community on theLoop.

Also, be on the look out for your CPP Liaison monthly newsletter. This newsletter will keep you up to date on program changes, new resources and a whole lot more.

More Questions? Feel free to check out the Liaison FAQs or email us at cppmailbox@ppa.com!

Thank you!Thank you to all of our CPP Liaisons!

We appreciate all that you do to support our program and assist our candidates!