Fellowship of the BIPP and the SWPP

Have you ever worked so hard for something, only to find that when you achieve it the feeling is somehow surreal? Because that’s how I’m feeling at the moment …… I’ve realised my biggest ambition as a professional photographer. I’ve gained my BIPP Fellowship distinction (British Institute of Professional Photography) and a few weeks later learned I’d also gained a Fellowship of The Societies (SWPP).

I think any photographer who has been through the distinction process with the recognised photographic institutions (the BIPP, RPS, MPA, and The Societies) will remember only too well the time and effort invested in the years it can take to bring a successful Panel to fruition. It was wonderful to receive a very special telephone call from the BIPP Chief Executive, Chris Harper FBIPP. And of course to receive another very special call from Phil Jones, the head of The Societies who I’ve known for many years.

What are the Recognized Photography Qualifications and Distinctions?

There are three stages to photographic qualifications (notwithstanding external qualifications such as a Degree or HND) and these are Licentiate, Associateship and ultimately Fellowship.

At Licentiate level the awarding body is looking for technical competence and evidence that the photographer is fully in control of their subject, and is producing images which are professional and merchantable. Despite the Licentiate distinction being the first rung of the ladder, it can be quite a tough distinction to obtain and it’s not uncommon to fail on the first couple of attempts. In fact it’s not uncommon to fail a distinction several times. It takes a thick skin and a positive and determined outlook for the photographer to take on board the critique of the judges and to adjust their work accordingly.

The next level of accreditation is that of Associateship, and this is a considerable jump forward from the Licentiate. At Associate level the judges are looking for not only technical excellence but evidence of an emerging photographic style and strong creativity, preferably with a body of published work and a strong business ethic. In 2012 I gained Associateship distinctions in portraiture with the BIPP and the RPS, followed by an Associateship in nature photography with The Societies (SWPP). Both my Panels took at least two years to put together.

Not only must distinction images meet the required aesthetic standards, but the Panel (this is the collection of images which you will exhibit before the judges) must flow in a cohesive manner, and must be beautifully printed and mounted. Often it’s the order of the images in the Panel which the applicant can fall down on and I remember taking weeks to decide on the final form of my exhibitions. Then there is the nerve wracking day on which your Panel is assessed before a row of Fellows and often a public audience as well. The failure rate is high, but the feedback is constructive and very often the candidate will return and will be successful.

Fellowship is the pinnacle of the qualification and distinction ladder. Comparatively speaking, there are only a handful of Fellows around the globe. Their work must reach a standard of technical excellence and unmatched creativity. The judges are looking for a unique personal style and also evidence of significant contributions to the industry. This will include a body of supporting evidence such as books, published work, high-level interviews, recognised speaking engagements etc. The award of a Fellowship is hard-won, in many cases exhausting, but unparalleled in terms of achievement. When your work is judged at competition level or at distinction level, it’s a group of Fellows who will determine whether you meet the necessary standards.

Placing Value on Photography Distinctions and Qualifications

Gaining my Associateships in 2012 gave me a huge amount of self-confidence and this is where qualifications can have real value. Photography is a little different to most other professions in that artists in all their forms very often suffer from self-doubt and a painful lack of self belief. Confidence can mean everything, without it we cannot grow our businesses and effectively market our work. My distinctions have had massive value in this respect but also qualifications give our clients reassurance that we are serious enough about our profession to invest in our personal development.

At Licentiate level the client knows that the photographer has been assessed for competency and can be expected to provide the goods. An Associate is a creative perfectionist who has gained a comparatively rare place in his or her genre and quite often Associates will judge other photographers and will advise on Licentiate and Associate Panel submissions. Then there are the Fellows, who have demonstrated a level of uniqueness and creative excellence which squarely places them at the forefront of their industry. The days when I stared in awe every time a Fellow passed me in the corridors at a photographic convention or seminar are still quite fresh in my mind, and I would be slightly reticent when it came to approaching a well-known Fellow and introducing myself. Of course now that I am one that should be a lot easier!

I’ll Never Rest on my Laurels

Are my Fellowships the end of the journey? In short, the answer is no. A Fellow is free to pursue further Fellowships in alternate subjects and I can think of some who have done precisely that. This is a marvellous thing about photography, it’s a never ending journey. I feel that I’m still only just scratching the surface and there is an infinite variety of possibilities to explore, as well as involvement with judging, mentoring, and assessing.

I think many artists and photographers can be their own worst critics, and those of us who suffer from perfectionism will relate only too well to that. And I suspect much of that will have roots in our childhood or else will have been formed from our closest relationships. When I was very young I looked forward to the rest of my life with so much excitement, I was always thinking about what I wanted to be and it never really occurred to me that I would not achieve my goals of being Prime Minister/plastic surgeon/inventor/fashion designer. That’s one of the simple beauties of childhood, our minds are open to every eventuality. But gradually as the years move on our outlook on life is adjusted according to our experiences and more importantly the mindset and circumstances of those around us. If we are conditioned to accept that there are no opportunities open to us then our self-worth can plummet. And I think it’s also true to say that many of us don’t always find out where our heart (let alone our talents) lie until much later in life when we finally have time to consider what it is we would really love to do.

Don’t let the naysayers in your life dictate your future. We all have very different dynamics within our families and within our closest friendships, but there must come a point where we look inside ourselves to the person within. We can’t spend our lives taking responsibility for others’ insecurities and that surely defines those who have tried so hard to slap us down whenever we dare to dream. And with that thought in mind I can confidently dedicate my success to the incredible photographers (both professional and amateur) who I have known and admired for so many years, and who have never failed to motivate, encourage and inspire me. Without the support of the institutes I belong to my awards and distinctions simply would not exist. Nor would my portfolio if it were not for my clients and the trust they have placed in me, not to mention the amazing animals I have also had the privilege of committing to print.

Dream big, but you have to accept that nothing worth having comes easily. If you’re prepared to put in the work and if you have the dedication, you’ll get there.

Lastly, my Fellowship submissions were in the form of fine art animal portraiture. This gave the judges something a little different to consider. You can see my Panel here: Lindsay Dobson Fellowship Panel

Here are some tips for getting the best prints for distinctions.