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.
Want to work with a photographer who’s dedicated to both her craft and her clients?
Let’s connect and create something meaningful together.
Betsy Bird, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, TPM, TSD, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography, spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. When she’s not mentoring photographers, wrangling teenagers, or acting like a total goofball, she’s hanging with Derby—the puppy currently training to be office assistant (jury’s still out on whether “chewing cords” counts as a legitimate job skill).
Betsy has earned both her Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). She also holds the CPP, TPM, and TSD designations and currently serves on the Board of Directors of both the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Assocation (TNPPA).
An award-winning photographer, Betsy is also a published author, national presenter, and frequent podcast guest. Her book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell, has become a resource for photographers, and she’s been featured on The Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, The Focal Points Podcast, and more.
Through her digital tools, courses, and mentoring programs, Betsy teaches photographers how to build profitable businesses without the overwhelm. She is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field… get it?).