WELCOME to Patty Fox Photography and More News! I have been meaning to create a blog for ages and here I finally am! I would like my blog to serve the dual purpose of keeping everyone up to date with the happenings at Patty Fox Photography, and as those of you who know my maiden name (More) might have guessed, to keep everyone up to date concerning my family and life in general.... first a little chit-chat and then I will post some images!
I AM CERTIFIABLE:
This year started with a bang and hasn't slowed down at all! In January, I bit the bullet and signed up for the CPP Exam. That is, the Certified Professional Photographer Exam, which is the first of 2 parts one must pass to become a CPP. I took a 3 day preparation class at Imaging USA, the yearly conference for the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), in Phoenix, and then took the test thereafter. I did pass (whew), and now am getting ready for the second part, which is presenting a portfolio for review by a committee from the PPA. It is not as easy as it sounds! When I mentioned to someone that I was working on my certification, she said, "Oh, big deal. So you pay some professional organization money and get certified". Well, that is not the case. Less than 3% of professional photographers, world-wide, are certified by the PPA. The PPA is the world's largest non-profit organization for professional photographers, having over 20,000 members in 54 countries. So, being one of only 2500 in the whole world is a worthy goal, IMO.
I had been studying for the exam for the last 1.5 years. It is very comprehensive and was much harder than I expected. The Image Review is reportedly equally difficult and is comprised of submitting 20 different images, taken during the last 2 years, of different clients from different sessions. These images must demonstrate to the committee that ones work DOES meet PPA professional standards. Additionally, to maintain CPP status, one must participate in continuing education and re-submit work for evaluation. One has 2 years in which to complete the initial process, once registered.
Why bother, you ask? Well, for one, I now have a greater appreciation for my high school and college sons, their friends, and my high school senior clients! I had not taken an exam since 1983. Ouch!
Secondly, becoming a CPP is a step I want to take to differentiate myself from the many other photographers who are available. It is a demonstration of my commitment to my clients that I wish to attain and maintain the highest professional standard available. It is a commitment to myself to be abreast not only of the fundamentals of photography and its principles, but also to keep abreast of the latest in photographic technology and development. To be all that I can be.... ENOUGH of that (for now, at least).
Okay, one last thing about going to the Imaging USA conference and taking the CPP Exam. I met some FANTASTIC new friends and I saw some wonderful old ones. Really, photographers just want to have fuh-uhn. I will tell no tales. What happens in Phoenix stays in Phoenix.
I WON $10,000!!!
Oh, AND, I won $10,000 from Millers Laboratory, one of my processing labs, while at the convention. I did have to donate it back to a charity of my choice, but it was very exciting to win nonetheless. I donated the money to the PPA Charities "Operation Smile" which sponsors surgery to correct cleft lips of impoverished children from around the world. Believe it or not, only $240 pays for the 45 minute surgery required to repair one cleft lip.
Well, I am going to wrap up today by posting a few images I have taken lately. Lucky for me, I have had some absolutely beautiful high school senior girls (not to mention some handsome guys) here recently to help build my portfolio for the Image Review!
This is Tia, whom I have known since before she was born! It was a great honor to take her Senior Portrait. I love this image because she looks a lot like her mom to me in it.
My husband, Glenn, used to work with her dad, Doug. They played soccer together, too. Doug met Tia's mom, Julie, when Glenn and I were dating. I could tell you some funny ski stories from the old days, but this is not the time or place!
This is Katie J. I met Katie last year when she and my son, Conner, were training to be volunteers for Amigos de las Americas. If you are interested in learning more about Amigos, let me know. They have a great volunteer program for teenagers. I am on the board as Parent Laison for the new Woodlands, Tx Chapter.
THE EXCELLENT SQUIRREL ADVENTURE
Hmmm. Here is Conner, my son, and Sheri B., last week, on an EXCELLENT SQUIRREL ADVENTURE in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania, where Sheri is a student. Conner and I visited her while we were touring the area looking at colleges and universities. Yes, my son, my very own baby boy, Conner, will be a high school senior next year! Will I ever get the elusive lad to pose for his senior portrait? Only time will tell.....
Those in the know, know that my older son, Morgan, a student at Duke University (and high school friend of Sheri), once held great disdain for squirrels (he still may)... Well, while at UPenn., we noticed these painted squirrels every 100 feet or so, lining the main walkway, tucked here and there in the flower beds. Sheri and Conner cooperatively allowed me to capture them with each of the squirrels we found (I was now on a mission) knowing it would be a silly way to tease Morgan.
Next time, I will post a few images from some of the schools that we visited. That may be of interest to you high school juniors who are trying to decide where to apply next next year when you are seniors (and, with hope, you will be one of my clients)! Until then.
Peace.
I AM CERTIFIABLE:
This year started with a bang and hasn't slowed down at all! In January, I bit the bullet and signed up for the CPP Exam. That is, the Certified Professional Photographer Exam, which is the first of 2 parts one must pass to become a CPP. I took a 3 day preparation class at Imaging USA, the yearly conference for the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), in Phoenix, and then took the test thereafter. I did pass (whew), and now am getting ready for the second part, which is presenting a portfolio for review by a committee from the PPA. It is not as easy as it sounds! When I mentioned to someone that I was working on my certification, she said, "Oh, big deal. So you pay some professional organization money and get certified". Well, that is not the case. Less than 3% of professional photographers, world-wide, are certified by the PPA. The PPA is the world's largest non-profit organization for professional photographers, having over 20,000 members in 54 countries. So, being one of only 2500 in the whole world is a worthy goal, IMO.
I had been studying for the exam for the last 1.5 years. It is very comprehensive and was much harder than I expected. The Image Review is reportedly equally difficult and is comprised of submitting 20 different images, taken during the last 2 years, of different clients from different sessions. These images must demonstrate to the committee that ones work DOES meet PPA professional standards. Additionally, to maintain CPP status, one must participate in continuing education and re-submit work for evaluation. One has 2 years in which to complete the initial process, once registered.
Why bother, you ask? Well, for one, I now have a greater appreciation for my high school and college sons, their friends, and my high school senior clients! I had not taken an exam since 1983. Ouch!
Secondly, becoming a CPP is a step I want to take to differentiate myself from the many other photographers who are available. It is a demonstration of my commitment to my clients that I wish to attain and maintain the highest professional standard available. It is a commitment to myself to be abreast not only of the fundamentals of photography and its principles, but also to keep abreast of the latest in photographic technology and development. To be all that I can be.... ENOUGH of that (for now, at least).
Okay, one last thing about going to the Imaging USA conference and taking the CPP Exam. I met some FANTASTIC new friends and I saw some wonderful old ones. Really, photographers just want to have fuh-uhn. I will tell no tales. What happens in Phoenix stays in Phoenix.
I WON $10,000!!!
Oh, AND, I won $10,000 from Millers Laboratory, one of my processing labs, while at the convention. I did have to donate it back to a charity of my choice, but it was very exciting to win nonetheless. I donated the money to the PPA Charities "Operation Smile" which sponsors surgery to correct cleft lips of impoverished children from around the world. Believe it or not, only $240 pays for the 45 minute surgery required to repair one cleft lip.
Well, I am going to wrap up today by posting a few images I have taken lately. Lucky for me, I have had some absolutely beautiful high school senior girls (not to mention some handsome guys) here recently to help build my portfolio for the Image Review!
This is Tia, whom I have known since before she was born! It was a great honor to take her Senior Portrait. I love this image because she looks a lot like her mom to me in it.My husband, Glenn, used to work with her dad, Doug. They played soccer together, too. Doug met Tia's mom, Julie, when Glenn and I were dating. I could tell you some funny ski stories from the old days, but this is not the time or place!
This is Katie J. I met Katie last year when she and my son, Conner, were training to be volunteers for Amigos de las Americas. If you are interested in learning more about Amigos, let me know. They have a great volunteer program for teenagers. I am on the board as Parent Laison for the new Woodlands, Tx Chapter.THE EXCELLENT SQUIRREL ADVENTURE
Hmmm. Here is Conner, my son, and Sheri B., last week, on an EXCELLENT SQUIRREL ADVENTURE in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania, where Sheri is a student. Conner and I visited her while we were touring the area looking at colleges and universities. Yes, my son, my very own baby boy, Conner, will be a high school senior next year! Will I ever get the elusive lad to pose for his senior portrait? Only time will tell.....Those in the know, know that my older son, Morgan, a student at Duke University (and high school friend of Sheri), once held great disdain for squirrels (he still may)... Well, while at UPenn., we noticed these painted squirrels every 100 feet or so, lining the main walkway, tucked here and there in the flower beds. Sheri and Conner cooperatively allowed me to capture them with each of the squirrels we found (I was now on a mission) knowing it would be a silly way to tease Morgan.
Next time, I will post a few images from some of the schools that we visited. That may be of interest to you high school juniors who are trying to decide where to apply next next year when you are seniors (and, with hope, you will be one of my clients)! Until then.
Peace.
