And I was surprised and thrilled to learn two of my photos won placements in ISPWP’s latest contest. If you want to see some inspiring images, definitely browse through the winning photos.

I got 20th place in the “Getting Ready” category with this image from Evonne and Bob’s wedding at the Omni William Penn Hotel.

And I got 17th place in the “Bridal Party” category with this image from Julie and Darryl’s wedding at the Pittsburgh Golf Club. The photo was taken on the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and I loved the black and gold theme.

Congrats to all the winners, and be sure to check out the other winning photos for some inspiration.

To set the record straight–I’m just fine with the fact that there’s no licensing process for photographers. For the most part, an amateur masquerading as a professional isn’t a real risk to anyone’s life…just maybe to the precious memories from someone’s wedding day. And to be fair, I completely understand that there’s a demand for less-experienced (and therefore cheaper) wedding photographers. I’m all for the free-market and supply and demand.

But if you are a professional who maintains a high level of excellence and quality, how do you set yourself apart from “Uncle Joe” with his new dSLR? Hopefully, your work is one obvious differentiator. But, I’m also not surprised with what passes for “good” photography these days (Hey, are their faces in focus? Sweet! It’s an awesome photo!). So, some level of peer review and approval I think is helpful in setting yourself apart from the average photographer.

Earlier this year I was excited to announce my acceptance in the Wedding Photojournalist Association. At the time, though, I still had my eyes set on another great organization, the International Society for Professional Wedding Photographers (ISPWP). Don’t let the mouthful of a name fool you. To quote from their website, the ISPWP “is an organization of the best wedding photographers in the world. It was created by professional photographers to raise the standards of the wedding photography profession.”

The ISPWP has strict rules for membership, including having photographed a minimum of 50 weddings as the primary photographer. Members must also maintain strong professionalism in their business, adhering to a code of conduct, and have the recommendations of previous clients or a sponsorship from a current member. Additionally, your portfolio is reviewed by a panel of some of the best wedding photographers in the industry. Unlike many photography organizations out there, you cannot simply pay your way into membership.

So, to say that I am thrilled to now be counted as a member of the ISPWP and included among such amazingly talented wedding photographers is an understatement. It is certainly an honor, and an impetus for me to strive to be even better at my profession. I hope it also signals to my current and future clients my commitment to excellence and dedication to creating incredible photography.