A Mark of Trust
It is important to know that the Guild's qualifications are 'live' qualifications. In otherwords members are subject to dip-sample at any time and qualifications can be removed from members should we find they are no longer delivering the required standards … No organisation offers greater reassurance than this when booking a photographer for a wedding or other important event!
Also, all Guild members are pledged to the association's Code of Conduct. They must –
- Behave in such a manner befitting their professional status and the reputation of the ‘Guild’.
- Exercise professionalism, care and diligence in the discharge of duties for clients and an agreement to fulfil the obligations of any contracts agreed with them, other than subject to matters outside their control.
- Have Professional Indemnity and Public Liability Insurance once they have achieved ’Qualified’ status or higher.
Registered members are those who have not submitted their work for appraisal and accreditation, and this group contains many skilful photographers who should not be dismissed simply because they have not got around to preparing a qualification submission.
Qualified members are those who have evidenced their capability to deliver a good quality professional service to members of the public and are fully insured. This is seen as the level of acceptability one should expect from a professional photographer and is used as a benchmark when we are asked to act as an 'Expert Witness' and evaluate others work.
Craftsman are those who have evidenced their capability to deliver a professional service that is beyond the norm – showing amongst the highest levels of technical skill, creativity and presentation. Again, they must be fully insured. This is an award that is not easy to achieve as it is only given to around 10% of members.
Master Craftsman is only given to a select few who have achieved the very highest professional standards. Once again, they must be fully insured. This award is never granted lightly and is only given to around 1% of members.