The TNPPA Degree Program recognizes service to the association and the photography profession.
Each TNPPA member is encouraged to use the Personal Point Register Book to keep track of their merits for all service merits, print merits, or any tasks provided that may earn merit in the TNPPA Degree Program. Such merits can be achieved in a variety of ways including:
- Volunteering at our Spring Workshop
- Helping at the Annual Convention
- Serving on a TNPPA Committee
- Assisting with the Annual Image Competition Committee
- Assisting the association in a variety of ways throughout the year.
Members are encouraged to keep track of their merits and have the committee chairperson initial their book when applicable for the task the member has completed.
TNPPA offers three degrees, TN Certified Degree, TN Artisan Degree and the TN Service Degree.
Each Degree Award recipient will receive a gold medal medallion suspended by either a green ribbon for the Certified Award, a blue ribbon for Artisan Award, or a yellow ribbon for Service Award.
Members receiving these awards will be recognized at the Annual Convention each year. The Degree Ceremony takes place during the Awards Ceremony and recipients are encouraged to wear formal evening attire. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the President's Banquet and Awards Ceremony (ticketed event).
Members who have completed the requirements for an award will be eligible for awards. Any member in good standing should contact TNPPA Awards Chairmen, or email through the website's contact section two months before the Annual Convention so that your award may be ordered and received in time for the awards ceremony.
Tracking Your Merits
TNPPA has two methods for helping you keep track of your merits. You can access the Google Sheets tracker here or by clicking the button below. You will need to MAKE A COPY and save it to your own Google Drive in order to update/edit it.
Thank you very much to Julie Collins for creating this tool for TNPPA Members!
If you prefer to print a hard copy, you can download a PDF file here for printing: PDF Merit Book
IMPORTANT NOTE: TNPPA does not track your merits! This is the sole responsibility of each individual member. If you have questions about tracking merits please reach out via email at admin@tnppa.com and someone will assist you.
Merits are earned through various service and competition actions. For the most up-to-date list, click the link below:
"Joining TNPPA has been a wonderful investment for personal and professional development. TNPPA members are friendly, welcoming, and enthusiastic about sharing their collective wealth of knowledge of the photographic industry which ranges from business and artistic skills to technical expertise. I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of dedicated professionals and would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in taking their photography career to the next level to consider a membership."
- Karen Fox, M. Photog, TCD, TSD, Past President (2023)