If you are interested in membership and a listing on Exceptional Pro Photographers, (EPP) you may apply after reading these informative FAQ:

1. Is there a fee for membership/listing on EPP?
Yes, there are two fees. There is a one time application fee of $12 to be submitted with your application. If you are approved and accepted into EPP’s referral and advertising directory, there is an annual fee for membership and inclusion. Currently the annual fee is $100. EPP will be broadly advertised on Google Adwords and partner sites, to help consumers who are searching for our style of photography to quickly find an exceptional pro photographer in their home location. Your fee of $100 is a small price to pay for a broad advertising campaign. I believe that there is strength in numbers, and distinguished professional photographers can best separate themselves from the pack, so to speak, by banding together to advertise and be part of a quality referral directory.

2. How do I know if I’m the sort of photographer who would be accepted into membership on EPP?

Good question! Some of the things the reviewers will look for:

• 1. Consistent results: your online portfolio should have consistently strong professional images that show your professionalism and ability to handle all ages and photographic groups that you specialize in, whether that be newborn photography, or documentary wedding photography.
• 2. Excellent black and white conversions; if you have flat, dull, muddy or very gray black and whites, you may want to work on your skills before applying.
• 3. Professionalism in your business. This includes many things, such as pricing, presentation, items available for sale, your online presence and how long you have been in business. Obviously there are  differences in cost-of-living in varying parts of the country and the world, but if you are an ultra cheap shoot and burn photographer who just started up, EPP is not for you.
• 4.Treating your photography as a business. Photographers in EPP should have business and liability insurance, collect applicable sales and use tax, and follow your local rules about licensing and paying taxes.

3. Just who is doing the reviewing?

The creator of EPP is Mary Hanson, a professional photographer in Minneapolis, MN (website here) and the wizard behind the curtain of the very well respected Blogs of Photogs. I started this project because of the dozens of weekly emails I get from clients searching for a photographer who are having trouble sorting the wheat from the chaff. There is a real need for a directory of high quality professional photographers. We expect to add additional reviewers to assist in going through applications as needed. The reviewers names and short bio’s will be available here. We believe that you should know who is judging your portfolio for inclusion.

4. What sort of listing do I get if I am accepted into EPP?

You will be alloted space for a banner that is 500 px wide by 400 px high, which will be linked directly to your website or blog (your choice) You are responsible for creating your banner, and you may put sample photos, some words about your style, your logo, whatever you choose. To improve in SEO, below your hotlinked banner, you will also have space for a blurb of about 100 words to describe your style, market, whatever you like.

5. When will advertising begin for EPP?
We will begin our advertising campaign for EPP by April 20th, 2009. Applications and membership are processed on a first come, first served basis. We limit photographers membership by area, currently accepting only four photographers per area.

6. To apply, click the pay now button to pay by credit card, making sure that you submit your URL with payment in the “special instructions” at paypal. If you have further info that you feel should be included in your application, send an email here.

7 . Still have more questions? Send them in, by emailing here, and you will get a reply within 48 hours, or have common questions posted here with answers. Thanks!

New Questions by email:

1. What do you mean by 4 photographer per area?

ts kind of a tough call, and one that may change/evolve slightly as we go along. I’m looking at areas/cities as this: Per city or areas served. For example, I live in Minneapolis, MN, but there are photographers from as far away from Hudson, WI (one hour away) who shoot on location and advertise in the Minneapolis metro area, so I’d consider those photographers towards the goal of four or fewer per area/city. Does that make sense? Hope so. Make sure you list on your application what city/area you primarily work in.