Photography Group Adds Credential for Wedding Photographers

Many brides and grooms are willing to spend big to capture beautiful images of their once-in-a-lifetime event. A skilled photo crew can earn thousands of dollars in a single day. According to some estimates, the average cost of wedding photography is between $2,400 and $2,630  (opens in a new tab).

Even if it’s not a professional photographer’s entire job, wedding photography may be keeping them busy enough that it’s a lucrative part of their work. The gig is almost always available; an estimated 2.25 million people get married each year  (opens in a new tab), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And it’s with that in mind that the Professional Photographers of America is expanding its education offerings with a new certification in wedding photography.  PPA plans to start offering classes for its Master of Wedding Photography this year for the roughly half of its members who shoot the occasional wedding.

One goal of the program is to attract more wedding photographers to the association, which puts on an annual International Photographic Competition. Rich Newell, who helps manage the competition, said the credential will reframe the conversation about wedding photography in the profession.

“Many wedding photographers believe ‘beautiful brides’ are more important to a photographer’s success in image competition than technical excellence,” Newell explained in a news release  (opens in a new tab). “PPA’s board of directors has focused on re-engaging this key segment of our membership and rewarding their hard work with a chance to show off this new credential.”

The association is also looking into adding a wedding photography category to the competition.

In addition to the new credential, PPA offers three different degrees  (opens in a new tab) recognizing both skill level and service to the industry.

(maximkabb/iStock/Getty Images Plus)