It's been a while since my last post... | Helena, Montana Professional Photographer

Well, last fall got away from me. Blogging was not a top priority for me this past fall when I had some of the busiest months I have had to date since opening my business in the fall of 2012. Over the winter I cut back my schedule to study for the Professional Photographers of Americal Certification exam. This is a very important first step in a long line of goals I have outlined for myself and my business. I took the test in January and passed. This was the first part of the process and now I am focusing on my images I will have to submit for my portfolio. I was going to try to submit my portfolio this spring but I have been dealing with some health issues and I am scheduled to have surgery soon. I plan on submitting my portfolio this summer or fall. So hopefully, by the end of this year I will be able to proudly say that I am a Certified Professional Photographer. What does that mean? Why is it so important for you as a consumer? It means that when it comes to photography I have demonstrated that I understand techniques, lighting, posing and post processing. This is very important in today's industry. There are a lot of people out there that claim to be photographers but really do not know the first thing about how their camera operates, how to run studio lights, or even control lighting when shooting in outdoor situations. Being certified is something that you as a consumer should look for when hiring a Professional Photographer. It protects your investment. Who wants to go spend their hard earned money for a product they can do nothing with? I have had numerous people come to me after bad experiences with other photographers. Those photographers may have been cheap and affordable, but is it really affordable to go and waste $75 on a session, where you don't even want anyone to see the pictures because they are so bad or even think about hanging them on your wall. Make sure you check out your photographer before you book them. Make sure they belong to a professional organization, are taking time to educate and better themselves, and are not just out to take your hard earned money by claiming they are a photographer. Everyone these days can pick up an expensive camera and can take a picture but that doesn't make them a photographer. For more information on Professional Photographers of America, the Certification process or help finding a Photographer in your area make sure to check out their website. Professional Photographers of America