Wedding Photography: Professional Qualifications

If you are hiring a wedding photographer for your big day, we recommend that you choose one who has qualified with a recognised professional body.  In the UK the primary qualifying (not for profit) bodies are the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) and the Master Photographers’ Association (MPA).  In both cases there are levels of professional and image-making competence that a photographer has to demonstrate before being allowed to join.  Members are also bound by a professional code of conduct.  Other bodies such as the SWPP do not have any membership criteria other than subscription payment – and are populated by many part-time and aspiring photographers.

Of course there some very good photographers who are not affiliated to a professional organisation, and some very indifferent photographers within them. But a professional qualification does minimise the risk and should be used as one of a number of factors in choosing your wedding photographer.  At the very least, professional affiliation with a recognised body signal that the photographer is keen to keep up to date with changing trends and new technologies and techniques.

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