earn your Professional animal photographer credentials

Purpose: To elevate the credibility and professional imagery of pet and animal photographers as well as the quality of the products and services they offer.

Why Accredit?

· To recognize the highest level of photographic performance and set the standard of excellence in the pet and animal photography field

· To increase the credibility of the profession

· To help define the profession, scope of practice, and encourage growth as an artist

· To help each photographer rise above their competition through superior photographic skills

· To ensure a consistent level of imagery which clients can expect from each individual photographer

· To validate sustainable prices to clients. They want the best and credentials prove to them that they are getting exactly that

Accredited Photographers:

· Promote and maintain professional standards

· Keep pace with new developments in the photographic industry

· Consistently produce the highest quality work possible

· Continuously work to better themselves and their business

How to become an Accredited Animal Photographer:

FIRST: Complete the Credentialing Application. Once your information is received and verified, you may log into the member site anytime to update your profile.  We will keep a database of points and will update the point totals after every competition.  Your membership number will be followed by a hyphen, then your current point total.  Upon reaching the "Accredited Animal Photographer" designation, recipients will receive a ribbon and medallion and will be recognized at the AIM conference. Additional medallions will be added at the “Master” and the “Grand Master” levels.

SECOND: Submit images to the annual Animal Image Makers photographic competition. Each photographer’s top four scores of 80 or higher will count toward the annual point total.

• Top 4 scores of 80+ will count toward accreditation
• Points accumulate as one per score point (score an 81, get 81 points)
• Additional points may be accrued outside of competition:
  1. Speaking for AIM:  80 points
  2. Attending AIM:  40 points
  3. Volunteering for AIM:  20 points

• Three tiers of achievement:
  1. Reach 800 points - "Accredited Professional of Animal Imagery"
  2. Reach 1,600 points - " Master of Animal Imagery"
  3. Reach 3,200 points - "Grand Master of Animal Imagery"

What is certification?

Every industry has its benchmark. The Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation is ours. No matter your specialty, the CPP is a fundamental step in mastering your craft.  Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience under your belt, you’ll come out of the certification experience with the knowledge you need to succeed as a photographer in this competitive business.

Why should you get certified?

The CPP program empowers photographers to be knowledgeable, successful, and  technically-equipped. While photographers pursue certification for a variety of personal and professional reasons, we’ve uncovered a common theme: it helps you sell yourself. We’ve heard countless stories of how the CPP has given members a leg up on the competition by inspiring confidence, justifying pricing, and conveying competence. How will it impact you?

What is a CPP Liaison?

A CPP Liaison is a subject-matter expert who has committed to helping CPP candidates like you during their journey. They're someone you can reach out to when you need something clarified, some guidance or just someone to offer perspective. In short, they're there to help you succeed!  Our "resident" CPP Liaison is Angela Lawson, but there are liaisons all over the country. If you have questions, please reach out to Angela directly through email (angela@aglphotography.net) or phone (616-667-7221).

Is the CPP program offered through AIM?

The Certified Professional Photographer program is governed through PPA, though AIM supports it fully.  With liaisons and testing options all over the country, it's easy for AIM to encourage pet photographers to earn their CPP designation.  And, if enough people are interested, we'll even set up a time for testing during the AIM conference!