ABSOLUTELY! Unfortunately, the photography industry is not regulated!
These days with everyone owning a
digital camera, there are many backyard photographers who believe photography is simply about buying an expensive camera and taking photos on weekends to make some pocket money, with no qualifications and little skill, offering a second rate service and dodgy outcomes.
Although the industry is not regulated, there are professional bodies (AIPP, ACMP) that photographers can join, after having their work assessed and accepted. Once a member, they then need to carry on their business according to a strict code of ethics set out by these professional bodies. In fact Kristi is so passionate about it, she is a council member on the board of the SA AIPP Division.
Please, if you shop around, ask the photographer what qualifcations they have, if they are a member of any of these professional bodies and if they have won any awards, so that you know where you stand..... Always use an Accredited Photographer!
Qualifications, Prizes and Awards:
* Canon AIPP Professional Photography Awards 2008 - 1 Silver Awards: Advertising
* Canon AIPP Professional Photography Awards 2007 - 2 Silver Awards
* Canon AIPP SA Professional Photography Awards 2007 - 2 Silver Awards
* AIPP (Australian Institue of Professional Photography) - Fully Accredited Photographer
* APS (Australian Photographic Society) - Member
* SA Photographer for Express Publications
* Certificate IV in Creative photography and Photoimaging (Nationally Accredited)
* Winner: Digital Photography and Design Magazine Photo Competition: Dec/Jan 2007
* Honourable Mention: Australian Photography Magazine: January 2007
* Top 10 Placing: Canon Find your shot competition, Week 5 (amongst 3,000 entries)