From Barn Aisles to the Big Stage: Earning My Master of Photography Degree

Well, this happened—and I'm still wrapping my head around it.

I've officially earned my Master of Photography degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).

Yep. That's the one with the fancy medallion, the handshake on stage, and the kind of recognition that makes you pause for a minute. And possibly ugly cry a little.

It's something I've worked toward for years, and I'm pretty darn excited about it.

So, What Is the Master of Photography Degree?

The Master of Photography degree is one of the professional degrees awarded by the Professional Photographers of America.

Earning it involves demonstrating photographic excellence through PPA's merit system, along with meeting the organization's degree requirements.

In other words, it's not something you earn because you've been photographing professionally for a certain number of years or because someone thinks you have a nice portfolio.

You have to do the work.

For me, that meant putting my images out there to be evaluated, continuing to learn, and working toward a goal that required both persistence and a willingness to improve.

And if you've ever entered an image into competition, you probably understand that putting your work in front of a panel of judges can be an educational experience all by itself.

Sometimes you get exactly the feedback you hoped for.

Sometimes you learn something you weren't expecting.

And sometimes you discover that the image you thought was your strongest isn't necessarily the one the judges agree with.

There's a lesson in that, too.

Why This Degree Matters to Me

I've never believed that photographers reach a point where there's nothing left to learn.

There's always another technique to explore, another skill to improve, or another way to approach something you've done a hundred times before.

One of the things I appreciate about professional degrees and image competition is that they give photographers opportunities to challenge themselves.

And while earning this degree is absolutely a personal accomplishment, the education and experiences that came along with it have also influenced how I teach, mentor, and evaluate images.

I want photographers to walk away from an educational experience with something useful. Something they can apply the next time they're photographing, editing, working with a client, or making decisions about their business.

That's a big part of why I enjoy teaching and mentoring.

From Barn Aisles to the Big Stage

When I originally shared this news in May 2025, I was looking forward to receiving my degree at Imaging USA in Nashville in January 2026.

Having the ceremony scheduled in my home state made the accomplishment even more special.

Most of my photography career has involved horses, dogs, barns, pastures, and the occasional animal who has absolutely no interest in cooperating with my carefully considered plans.

So there's something pretty wonderful about seeing that work recognized by the professional photography industry.

And yes, I was looking forward to the medallion.

What's Next?

Earning my Master of Photography degree doesn't mean I'm finished learning. Not even close.

I'll continue working on my own photography, participating in image competition, teaching, mentoring, and supporting the photography organizations that have been such an important part of my career.

And I'll continue encouraging other photographers to take advantage of the educational opportunities available to them.

You don't have to pursue a professional degree to benefit from image competition, critiques, or continuing education.

But if earning a degree is something you've been considering, I'd encourage you to learn about the requirements and decide whether it's a goal you'd enjoy working toward.

You might be surprised by what you learn along the way.