Professional Photographers of Idaho

Photographic Business and Arts Certification

The Photographic Business & Arts Certification was established by the Professional Photographers of Idaho (PPI) in 2025 to encourage its members to continue their professional education and to recognize those members who have satisfied the requirements for the certification. The certification  program promotes PPI members’ success in the photographic profession through greater knowledge of both the technical and artistic aspects of the photographic process, as well as the principles of marketing and business operation. 

To apply for the program click here or the link at the bottom of the page.

Certifications will be conferred at the annual Awards Ceremony. The recipients of the degree receive a medallion on a ribbon and a parchment-style diploma and can use the certification designation “BA-PPI” after their names. “Bars” are given for each 100 additional educational credits over the original 300 earned.

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of 300 credits of accredited education distributed in the following three areas of professional education is required for the degree.

100 Credits - Art/Technical - e.g. print, lab theory and/or practice, and digital manipulation (Photoshop/Lightroom)

100 Credits - Business/Marketing - e.g. business management, marketing or sales, Computers/website building, public relations, business law, accounting, and economics

100 Credits - Camera/Lighting - e.g. posing and lighting, etc.

Certification applicants must be PPI members with current membership during the time that the credits are accumulated and at the time the degree is conferred. The Photographic Business & Arts Degree is a recognition of each individual's personal educational achievement. Once achieved, it does not require an annual fee or continued membership in PPI. The record-keeping is maintained by the Business and Arts Degree committee.

APPLICATION FOR THE CERTIFICATION

You may apply online at www.ppofidaho.com or complete the application form on PPI’s website at www.ppofidaho.com and follow instructions for submission. 

COURSE ACCREDITATION

Certification applicants may pursue professional education across a variety of institutions, including but not limited to PPI, Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and its affiliates, photography schools, community, state, or private colleges or universities. For a course (including class, workshop, seminar, and other educational events or format) to be accredited, its instructor must complete the Application for Accreditation, available on PPI’s website, and email it to: ppofidaho@gmail.com.

In case the instructor is not readily accessible, the student (degree applicant) may reach out to the Business & Arts Certification Chairperson to discuss the specifics of any special circumstances.

Please fill out the form thoroughly, including a breakdown of hours in each of the three disciplines. Once the application is approved, that specific class will be accredited for one year so that the instructor can teach it again, and the course will still be accredited.

As a general guideline, credits are earned as follows:

1-week course = 30 credits

2-day course = 10 credits

1-day course = 5 credits

For college courses, 10 credits per college unit with a maximum of 30 credits per course.

PROOF OF COURSE COMPLETION

Proof of completion will be accepted in the following manner:

·      PPI or PPA accredited courses - registration and merit reports, or confirmation from instructors or program directors.

·      Colleges or Universities - a copy of the transcript showing completion of the course(s) that comply with the degree requirements.

·      Professional photography schools or other programs - a copy of the certificate of completion issued by the school or program.

The student (degree applicant) may reach out to the Business & Arts Degree Chairperson to discuss the specifics of any special circumstances.

PREVIOUS EDUCATION CREDITS

A maximum of 100 credits of previous education prior to applying for the certification will be accepted, with no more than 50 credits in any one category. The  certification applicant may decide which categories the credits are to be distributed.

Example: Prior to the degree application, the applicant has attended classes outside of PPI and PPA with 50 credits in Art, 60 credits in Business, and 75 credits in Camera. In this case, a total of 100 credits, not the actual total of 185, will be accepted and counted toward the Business & Arts Certification as previous education credits. Also, no more than 50 credits can be accepted in any one category. Therefore, here are two of the possible distributions:

25 Credits in Art

25 Credits in Business

50 Credits in Camera

     or

50 Credits in Art

50 Credits in Business

0 Credits in Camera

Once the application has been processed, the Business and Arts Degree committee will work with the degree applicant to verify previous education credits and initiate record-keeping.