When I first set out to obtain my CPP designation, it was purely self-motivated challenge.  I never intended to promote this designation as I really didn’t foresee how having this credential would be a benefit to my clients – after all, I’d already been shooting professionally for 5 years when I started the process. How would three little letters after my name really change anything?

Within the professional photography community, the CPP credentials are viewed as an official licensing of sorts – similar to how a lawyer or a doctor must take the final testing once they’ve finished their initial schooling prior to setting up their practice.  Unlike lawyers or doctors (or several other professions), photographers are not REQUIRED to obtain certification prior to starting their business – it’s an optional process that only a very small percentage of photographers elect to go through.

Earning your CPP is a two-part process. One part is an exam that tests your technical competency and the other is a 20-image portfolio review that assesses your application of the technical skills and your vision as an artist.   I found the image review to be the most challenging and intimidating – what I was basically seeking  was a peer approval from a group of  qualified and experienced photographers that I am producing work that is certifiably professional.

And that’s when it dawned on me – while a large part of obtaining my CPP was a personal challenge for myself, the bottom line is that those three little letters are truly a benefit to my  current and potential clients.  Having the CPP credentials offers  reassurance to my clients that I know what I am doing when I pick up my equipment. That the images you see in my portfolio are not a fluke or a stroke of luck – they are a very deliberate creation by me for my clients. Yes, all sessions are different – there are certain dynamics that are out of my control.  But you can be assured that the things within my control are being manipulated by an experienced professional that has, essentially, been endorsed by other professional peers within the photography community.

Bottom line - You can hire Meggan Jacks Photography with confidence that you will have a truly professional portrait experience and beautiful photographs of your family.

This was the front side of our 2011 holiday portraits – Huge thanks to my friend, Christi, who assisted in taking the family portrait as I’ve found it impossible to be in two places at once.

This isn’t to say that beautiful artwork can’t be created with a baby that is older than two weeks, nor is it a guarantee that every baby under the age of two weeks is going to be the perfect model.  All babies are different, of course!

Whenever possible, I recommend scheduling your newborn’s portraits between day five and fourteen. This seems to be the ideal window of opportunity for working with newborns.  If you have missed this window, don’t worry – I will still schedule your session for as soon as possible so that we capture the newness of your little one!

I approach all sessions for babies under 8 weeks of age as if the baby were under two weeks of age – if he will sleep soundly and let us curl him into those adorable poses, we definitely do them! However, if your baby is more “awake” (even if they aren’t fussy) the curled-up, sleeping poses may not be possible.  Wide-eyed portraits are just as beautiful and I have a lot of ways to pose and work with a baby who isn’t the least bit sleepy.

Some babies are just flat out fussy during their sessions – but don’t worry!  I am first, and foremost, a mom and have been in your shoes before!  I have also been photographing newborns for seven years – I’ve experienced it all!  It’s a rare session where, with a little (okay, a LOT) of patience, beautiful portraits can’t be created.  While I typically schedule all newborn sessions in the morning, if you have noticed that your baby is typically fussy in the morning but calm in the afternoon, definitely let me know!  This pattern may not reveal itself until after the first two or three weeks, but for babies over the three or four week mark, it is definitely important to work with the time of day they are the happiest!

Whether your newborn is two weeks, or two months, the most important thing to remember is to NOT STRESS their portrait session. I set no expectations out of your newborn prior to the session – every child is different and I take cues from them on what they will, and will not, do for me.

Phoenix and Scottsdale Professional Photographer

Please check it out!

So, bottom line – if you are looking into e-readers, definitely check out the NookColor.  I actually look forward to my 45-minutes of purgatory on the elliptical machine each day as I know I can get wrapped up in a good book and forget all about how much I’d rather be sipping a margarita by the pool.

Happy reading!!!

February 11, 2011

For Immediate Release

Meggan Jacks Earns Certification

Meggan Jacks of Meggan Jacks Photography in Phoenix, Arizona has earned the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission.

Jacks earned this designation after meeting rigorous requirements measuring her artistic and technical competence. The Professional Photographic Certification Commission currently recognizes less than 2,000 Certified Professional Photographers nationally and less than 50 in Arizona.

The Professional Photographic Certification Commission is the leading body for certifying imaging professionals. Certified Professional Photographers must complete a written examination, and image evaluation and adhere to a stringent code of conduct. Certification must be renewed on a periodic basis, ensuring that continuing confidence in the professionalism of Certified Professional Photographers.

Jacks’ portfolio can be found online at www.megganjacks.com.

The certification process was a great learning experience and I am really proud to carry the CPP designation.

I have to admit I am a bit of a Facebook addict. I think I am getting it under control (I broke my addiction to FarmTown) but I do enjoy the social aspect of it (and seeing all the “OMG! More SNOW!” posts from my Iowa friends/family.Haha! I love AZ!)

If you are on Facebook, please become a fan of MJ Photography – I will happily post a few of your favorite images from your session and you can tag them to share with all of your FB Friends. I do ask that you leave any watermarks on the images intact – unfortunately there can be some strange things that happen to non-watermarked images, so this is something that will protect you and your family (and me as well!)

But, I digress…  What I want to share that Rick, Christi and Bella are wanting to complete their family through the adoption of a child. As Christi shared on her recent holiday card:

… word of mouth is one of the most successful paths to adoption. As you are catching up with friends and family this holiday season, if you hear of anyone who may be in a situation where they are looking to place a child for adoption, we hope that you’ll pass our information along to them.

So, as you are gathered around the table this holiday season, gossiping (c’mon! we all do it!) about the happenings of the past year and speculating about the New Year, feel free to gossip about a wonderful family in Arizona that is hoping that 2010 will bring them a new member of the family to welcome with lots of love and adoration.

To find out more about Rick, Christi and Bella, visit their adoption PAGE and be sure to stop by the BLOG.

What I am really excited about is that session fees for my time/talent will be done as a donation to the Carlisle Area Dollars For Scholars. This is a great program that raises money to fund over 75 scholarships for Carlisle High School seniors each year.  I should have more details on that, as well as the special print and product pricing, in the next week or so.

If you are interested in scheduling a session, please contact me at 602-570-0698 or meggan@megganjacks.com.

- Meggan