Photography can be a lonely profession! Professional photographers wear many hats and carry a load of responsibility. As a photographer, you are your own marketing team, you manage client relations, spend hours editing and in post-production, selling your products, and the list goes on and on!

PPA's Degree program gives photographers a way to develop their skills, fill in knowledge gaps, and contribute to a community that thrives on collaboration and knowledge-sharing. PPA offers four different degrees to meet the needs of photographers as well as a variety of ways photographers earn merits celebrating their accomplishments. Learn more about the journey and the benefits of pursuing a PPA degree. 

The Power of Earning Merits

PPA offers photographers a variety of pathways to earn merits toward their PPA degree. PPA members can earn four types of merits: exhibition merits, service merits, and speaker merits. You can read more about additional merits specific to certain PPA degrees here. 

The Merit Image Review (MIR)

Photographers earn exhibition merits through the Merit Image Review. The MIR offers photographers a way to receive unbiased feedback on their images from trained PPA jurors. For ten months a year, February through November, photographers can submit anywhere from one to four images and received a personalized video critique from a PPA juror at an additional cost. These critiques provide valuable pointers and tips on how you can make your image even better!

When you submit an image, you’ll be able to view the results of your submission immediately following the review that takes place, in the same month you submitted your image. 

Speaking & Service Merits

Speaking merits are awarded to photographers for sharing their expertise at PPA events, such as Imaging USA, or PPA Photography Workshops. Service merits are awarded for volunteer work within the PPA community, such as participating in Imaging USA. 

Photographers also earn speaking and service merits through their participation in Community Network events. Learn more and get involved in your photography community at a local level! 

The process of earning exhibition, speaking, and service merits helps photographers hone their craft in image making, connect deeply with their community, and share their knowledge with fellow photographers.

Join a Community that Supports Your Growth

At the end of their journey to a PPA degree, photographers attend the Imaging USA conference to walk the stage and accept their degree, alongside their sponsor at the Award & Degree program. It’s a chance to receive the recognition you deserve and celebrate your achievements with a supportive community of photographers!

Four Unique Photography Degree Pathways

Here are the four different degrees PPA offers to meet the needs of every photographer. Each degree also requires a different combination of merits.

Master of Photography: This degree is awarded to photographers for their superior photographic skills demonstrated by image excellence in portraits, illustrative, commercial, reportage, and albums, as well as advanced education, and service to the industry.

Master of Wedding Photography: This degree is awarded to photographers for their superior photographic skills demonstrated by image excellence, advanced education, and service to the industry.

Master Artist: This degree is awarded to photographers for their superior artistic skills in digital and traditional art, advanced education, and service to the industry.

Photographic Craftsman: This degree is awarded to photographers for their service as a speaker, author, or mentor.

Learn More 

For a great overview of the PPA Degrees system and the Merit Image Review, watch these videos from PPA’s Member Engagement Specialist, Melody Confer.

Achieving a PPA degree not only boosts your confidence but also connects you with a broader community of professionals. It serves as a remarkable marketing tool and builds trust with your clients. Start your journey today by submitting your images for review!

Explore More Merit Image Review Resources

If you’re working toward a PPA degree, the Merit Image Review is one of the most important tools available to help you grow. Through MIR, PPA members can submit images for review by trained PPA jurors, receive feedback, and earn exhibition merits that count toward the Master of Photography, Master Artist, and Master of Wedding Photography degrees.

PPA also offers a dedicated hub of Merit Image Review resources to help you prepare stronger submissions. The MIR resources page includes helpful links such as the 12 Elements of a Merit Image, MIR tutorials, live recordings, image critiques, and ways to connect with the Merit Image Review community.

Members can also find MIR content on PhotoVision, including image critiques and live Merit Image Review sessions that are updated monthly. These videos are a great way to better understand what jurors look for, learn from real image reviews, and build confidence before submitting your own work.

Ready to keep learning? Visit the Merit Image Review resources page, explore the main Merit Image Review page, or browse MIR videos on PhotoVision to take the next step toward earning your PPA degree.