If you have been to our official web site (www.thestudioonmain.com) you might have noticed the incredibly long lists of awards and credentials after Tad’s name. You might have simply just overlooked it and skipped down to the next paragraph. You wouldn’t be the only one. But fear no more. I’ll put them in easy to understand terms so that you can really appreciate all the hard work and dedication that Tad has put into his profession.
First and foremost he is PPA certified. You will need to know a little background information to really understand this one. PPA stands for Professional Photographers of America. This 34 letter, 13-syllable phrase means a group of highly trained and skilled photographers all becoming affiliated with each other. Although photography is a visual and project based field, being certified requires much more. To attain a PPA Certification one must take an exam. Like most other exams, this one tests your knowledge of all realms of photography, the camera and process of producing a high quality print. So the exam is the first part and the second part of the certification process is to put your knowledge on paper in the form of a print that demonstrates your understanding and ability. Photographic prints are brought before a panel of judges. If you can pass both the written test and get past the judging, you gain the right to say you are PPA certified, for five years. After five years, each certified photographer must become re-certified. This ensures that certified photographers are keeping their quality, skills and knowledge up-to-date. Tad has been certified for over 10 years.
Certification was only the first of many rounds that Tad has gone through in order to earn his second title of Master Photographer. To earn his masters, Tad joined WPPA, standing for the Wisconsin chapter within Professional Photographers of America. For Tad to join, he had to pay the fee and abide by the WPPA code of conduct. However, this is what allows him to participate in biannual conventions around the state and compete against other photographers. Competitions are prestigious and rigorous. After the state level, prints then are sent onto national competitions as well. Photographers only submit the “best of the best” of their work and highly trained judges with eyes like fine toothed combs examine each print that is entered. Images are judged based on twelve different categories: impact, creativity, technical excellence, composition, lighting, style, print presentation, center of interest, subject matter, color balance, technique and story telling. To learn more about the twelve elements you can go to http://www.ppa.com/competitions/international/12elements.php. If a photograph does well in judging, than the photographer earns merits. A photographer needs to earn a total of 25 merits to be on his or her way to becoming a master photographer. Those who wish to obtain the title of Master Photographer also have to earn merits by participating in service, speaking and exhibition events.
According to PPA itself (www.ppa.com) “The Master of Photography degree (M.Photog.) is conferred upon those within PPA who have shown photographic excellence through competition and the continued desire to learn and serve the photography community. Awarded for superior photographic competence demonstrated through photographic competition, advanced education, and service to the profession.” Tad became a Master Photographer in 2004, and has competed in numerous state and national competitions. You can view a number of his award winning prints on our website.
Lastly, Tad is a Photographic Craftsman, which is one of the highest recognitions within the photographic industry. This recognition only goes out to those who have been awarded for their service as an orator, author or mentor in photography. Tad has spoken and taught many aspiring photographers and mentored them in their journey as an artist and photographer. Tad achieved this title in 2006. Now after receiving his degrees, Tad helps educate other photographers by mentoring, continuing to speak and serving on the Board of the Wisconsin Professional Photographers of America. He also serves as the Wisconsin liaison for the American Society of Photographers (ASP).
