What does this really mean?

[mcf0807]

I have seen on some photogs business cards 'Licensed Professional Photographer'. Does this mean they have a degree in photography? Or have been certified by someone or some organization? Or it just sounds good on a business card?

[toverman]

Maybe they can just legally drive themselves around.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by toverman

Maybe they can just legally drive themselves around.

LOL Yeah, that's it.

[gaea106]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Do_you_nee...l_photographer

[Howard Barlow]

Basically, it means they are lying.

[Crashoran]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

Basically, it means they are lying.

It means they are licensed as a business and pay taxes/recognized by the government.

[gaea106]

This is a good thread actually. When I graduate with my bachelors of fine arts in photography what will I put in my advertisements?

[Shelby Lane]

I have never seen "licensed" but I have seen "certified." All that means is that they have taken and passed PPA's Certified Professional Photographer exam.

[Graydon]

Originally Posted by gaea106

When I graduate with my bachelors of fine arts in photography what will I put in my advertisements?

Hhhmmm... time to sign up for marketing class as well

[Howard Barlow]

Originally Posted by Crashoran

It means they are licensed as a business and pay taxes/recognized by the government.

It could, but I doubt it. How many other businesses do you see advertise that, unless they are a business licensed by the state? Nope, these folks are trying to tell you they are at a particular standard in photography, with intent to misrepresent themselves. They are lying, by way of misrepresentation.

If they meant as you say, they would say they are licensed to be in business, not as a licensed photographer. No such thing.

[gaea106]

Originally Posted by Graydon

Hhhmmm... time to sign up for marketing class as well

I am required to take some marketing classes, just haven't got there yet.

[Steelsun]

It can mean anything they want.

If the profession is regulated by a government body (i.e. Lawyers, Doctors, Private Investigators, Plumbers, etc), they have to be licensed by that body to call themselves a "licensed" whatever (and in many cases, they must be licensed to just call themselves a "whatever", even if they don't start it with "licensed".)

Otherwise, you can start your own "association", "group" etc (even if you are the only member) and issue a "license" or "certification" for whatever. I once belonged to a professional group that "sold" licenses for International Records Researcher. Never paid for it or used it.

The License is only as good as the issuing authority. Much like Diplomas (and diploma mills).

It's a common type of thing I have to check or uncover on executives' resumes when I am doing high/deep level background checks and history vetting. You'd be surprised how many false/cheap licenses/certifications/degrees are out there.

Heck, I have a Doctorate of Divinity (Religious Studies) that cost me about $20, so I guess I am certified in Religious expert! (This was done in an undercover case - didn't even use my own name, which shows you how easy and false they can be).

[Aric C. Hoek]

Originally Posted by gaea106

This is a good thread actually. When I graduate with my bachelors of fine arts in photography what will I put in my advertisements?

BFA

Get certified by the PPA and you can putt CPP after the BFA.

Customers don't know what it means either.

[Steelsun]

Originally Posted by TLooney

Customers don't know what it means either.

Yep, and like the CPP mentioned above from the PPA, it makes me smile.

When I see "CPP" I automatically think Certified Protection Professional from my 20+ years involved in the security/investigations area. So "Wow, a wedding photographer that will take a bullet for my bride!"