What it takes to become a Master Photographer

In early 2023 I began working towards my Master of Photography degree with the Professional Photographers of America. This process includes a combination of education through workshops and events and a judged image review. This is to ensure that each image meets the criteria necessary for the designation by the Professinal Photographers of America. Each image is judged based on the 12 Elements of a Merit Image. Those Elements are 1. Impact. 2. Technical Excellence. 3. Creativity. 4. Style. 5. Composition. 6. Presentation. 7. Color Balance. 8. Center of Interest. 9. Lighting. 10. Subject Matter. 11. Technique. 12. Storytelling

A total of 13 merit images are required as part of the degree process. These are the images that received a Merit allowing to me obtaining my Master Photographer degree in October 2025.