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 the 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 (and maybe ugly cry a little).

So, what is the Master of Photography degree?

It’s not just about having a decent portfolio or knowing which end of the camera to look through. The Master of Photography degree is awarded for image excellence, ongoing education, and service to the industry.

In plain English? It means a whole lot of hard work, dedication, and showing up over and over again—not just for myself, but for other photographers, too.

And guess what? It’s going to be officially presented by the President of PPA during Imaging USA (IUSA) in Nashville this coming January. It’s not every year that IUSA is held in Nashville so it’s super special that this will be presented in my home state.

This isn’t about Chasing Titles

For me, this isn’t about chasing titles. It’s about setting a standard — raising the bar for what’s possible in the photography world. It’s about education, community, and mentoring. It’s about helping other photographers build a business that doesn’t burn them out.

And it’s about being a voice for horse and pet photographers in this industry, which is why I proudly serve on the board of directors of the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and Tennessee Professional Photographers Assocation (TNPPA) and represent Tennessee on the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) Council.

So, if you’re a photographer who’s been lurking in the shadows, wondering if you’re “good enough,” here’s your sign: you are.

And if you’re a client reading this and wondering if I care deeply about doing this work well—well, checks notes… still yes.

Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP,  of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with Nitro, the best dog ever. She also tries to spend some time educating and entertaining aspiring photographers by teaching and blogging about whatever catches her fancy at the moment.

Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).

Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is also the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has also been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.