The photographers who do make their entire living from image making seem to have one trait in common… Masters of marketing. Their Technical chops might be OK, but what they excel in is being masters at business. When full time pros get together they rarely talk about technique, or cameras. Their conversation usually is about costs, suppliers, taxes, and clients, about what is needed to survive.
Every year there are 3 or 4 colleges and universities in Toronto who graduate up to 100 new Photographers. When ever I talk to a new grad, I ask them how many business classes did they take in the 2 to 4 years of education.
The standard response is 0, none, nothing.
These grads will be able to ace the certificate exam, but the will still go out into the world and offer their services for less then they are worth, because they were not taught to be business people.Â
The same is true of the weekend shooter.  There technical knowledge may be lacking, but it is good enough to get some shots. Their clients are happy. They are happy to make any money with their camera.
The problem I see with the whole idea of certificates is they will not test for the one thing photographers need…. Marketing and Business skills!!
Certification will not change that.
The only thing I see the certificate useful for is a marketing tool… But it will only be a valid tool if some one puts a lot of time, money and effort into promoting the existance of the certificate
I don’t see anyone with deep enough pockets to do the job.
Disclaimer…even though I make my income from photography, I consider myself a bad business person… I stay with photography because there is noting else I enjoy as much…well maybe sailing.
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