Those of you who follow me on facebook will have seen my post a little while ago about passing my NZIPP portrait Q. (YAY). So many of you liked my post and left me beautiful comments – thank you. Thought I would show you my submission and tell you a bit about the Q process, because it is a rather rigorous beast. There are only 7-10 other qualified portrait photographers in Wellington.
SO the first question you probably want answered is “what the heck is an NZIPP portrait Q?”
In answer to you, my fine friend, is a Q is shorthand for ‘qualification’. The NZIPP (NZ institute of Professional Photographers) is a bit selective about who it accepts into its brethren, well, they let anyone in (after nomination, ethics sign off, and proof of business…), but you can’t advertise that you’re an NZIPP photographer until you have at least one Q (Qs can be gained in wedding, portrait or commercial photography). To be able to receive the full benefits of being an NZIPP member – including the security and peace of mind it offers clients, such as yourselves, that you are hiring a PROFESSIONAL – one needs to submit, and pass a Q. Its a bit like becoming a chartered accountant, or a master builder, or a registration and validation process in any industry.
To achieve the portrait Qs, a photographer needs to submit a printed portfolio of twelve exceptional images that dot the i’s and cross the t’s of what makes a professional image. It sounds pretty do-able, but let me tell you, it AIN’T EASY.
The portfolio of images is assessed by a panel of judges who are among the best in the industry. They have their eagle eyes out for any wee faux pas, such as cropped off hands or limbs, lost detail in the highlights, or the shadows, cropped too tight, cropped too wide, distracting elements, babies looking at their mummys not the photographer, fluffy hair, unsharp eyes, unflattering poses, colour casts, posterization, etc etc etc. To read more about the criteria for what makes a passing Q image see the NZIPP website.
To prepare my submission, I sought numerous rounds of feedback and critque online, and suffered a harrowing mock critique workshop in Wellington where I was able to hear exactly what people thought of my precious work! To be fair, the Q workshop was actually a very positive experience, with some admired colleagues providing some very positive feedback on my images, and helping to weed out those images that weren’t as strong. I really appreciate all feedback on my photography, particularly constructive criticism, I know how beneficial it is to my work, even if it stings the ego a smidge. I have a strong desire to be the best I can be, to continue to grow and to learn as much as I can about my craft and continue to improve.
The best thing about completeing the Q process – aside from the bed-jumping exhilleration of finally achieving my goal – is the skyrocketing improvements the process has meant for my work. I now create Q worthy images with every click of the shutter. I actively create solid professional portraits at every opportunity. And now its easy! I know what to look for, I know what to avoid. I can do it without even thinking. You definitely won’t see any cropped off fingers from me ever again!
I must say, while I’m busy tooting my little horn all over the show, 2012 has been a fantastic year for my business. I have achieved all of the pie-in-the-sky goals I set for myself this year. I have won awards, I’ve turned a profit (!), I’ve booked 12 weddings (my goal was 10!), I have achieved the hallowed portrait Q, I’ve (with the help of Ryan Potter) created a beautiful website, and got myself up there on key google searches, I attended the NZIPP conference (InFocus) and left more inspired and more knowledgable than I thought possible, and I’ve acquired a full kit of professional equipment and back up gear that I expected would take me years to afford. All in one little year!
It feels really really good.
I am so looking forward to setting some crazy goals to conquer for 2013 – I’m definitely going to be aiming for more high awards at next years Irises, I want to enter the maximum number of prints (10) for judging, and maybe, heck MAYBE, I’ll even get near my associateship, that would be a thrill! I also want my wedding Q, I want to improve my in camera skills, turn even more profit (and pay tax!), book 15 weddings for the 2013-14 season, AND change the way I prepare and share with my clients (read: dedicated professional space with viewing capability, pre-consultations and tailored, custom, portrait sessions). I have a good feeling about next year (assuming the world doesn’t end, as predicted). I’m starting work on my 2013 goals already.
Without further a hoot from my trumpet of proudness, my Q submission:
(please note: some of the images I submitted for my Q were not released for sharing so I can’t show them here, hence 12 has become 11)
.jpg "2662-03")
Thank you to the lovely, adorable people who feature in this collection.
