senior graduation portrait
Professional Photographers of Canada accreditation is a peer-reviewed designation. To become accredited, photographers must submit a body of work that is critically assessed by experienced, qualified professionals within the industry.
Images are judged on:
Lighting and exposure
Composition and storytelling
Consistency across multiple images
Technical accuracy
Professional presentation
Only photographers who meet or exceed these benchmarks earn the title Accredited Professional Photographer.
In short:
You’re not guessing what you’ll get.
You’re hiring proven skill.
of poses including head and shoulder, 3/4 and full length. Must contain five (5) female and five (5) male subjects. One (1) male and one (1) female traditional cap and gown in-studio set-up must be shown. The balance of your submission, eight (8) images must include four (4) outdoor environmental and four (4) indoor or studio setups. Variations in lighting techniques, locations and backgrounds are essential.
FAQ
artist's statement
One of my favourite stories to tell is that of graduates. This is an exciting, vibrant, important time in their lives.
It’s a time when possibility is endless and the pages of the next chapter are blank, just waiting to be filled.
For me, this is absolutely scrumptious. Strange word? I don’t think so. I eat this stuff up like candy.
Whether it’s a unique cap and gown portrait with a pup, the story of a life devoted to dance, or a completely off-the-hook snowboard session in the middle of January, the stories are just waiting to be told.
Maybe it’s a senior lifestyle session, (which, by the way is one of my favourite types of grad sessions), tells the true story of the graduate at that moment in their life through casual outfits, pets, meaningful props, and locations.
Maybe it’s the story of a hockey player. Or a young woman standing in the meadow she’s played in since she was a little girl, with her main man. Her horse.
Every single one of these stories is completely unique. Completely different. Completely wonderful.
I pride myself on telling each grad’s story for them, and of them.
To have these images recognized, and to receive my accreditation for Senior Graduation Portrait by Professional Photographers of Canada, is a great honour.
I love my grads. I stay in touch with many of them, and I live for the huge hugs when we run into each other out in “the wild.” On the street, in shops, or at a horse expo, where I might just happen to be displaying their photograph.
And thank you to every single one of you who choose me to tell your story.
PRESS RELEASE
2026/01/26
The Professional Photographers of Canada is pleased to announce that:
Carla Lehman CPA ,
has just earned an accreditation in Senior Graduation Portrait, at our most recent Accreditation judging.
Accreditation is the first elevation above the general membership level and is achieved by submitting samples of the
applicant’s photography to a PPOC Board of Examiners. Accreditation demonstrates that the photographer is capable of
delivering professional quality photography in a chosen category. In assessing Accreditation Submissions, the judges will
consider the following criteria: Vision, Impact, Composition, and Technical Merit.
Along with other requirements for service, image, and education merits, a minimum of one Accreditation is required to
qualify for a Craftsman of Photographic Arts (CPA) and two Accreditations are needed for a Masters of Photographic Arts
(MPA).
For more information, please contact:
PPOC Accreditation Chair
Mark Bilash MPA
Ste Anne, MB
204-296-6647
Email: accreditation@ppoc.ca
The Professional Photographers of Canada is a diversified group of creative artists dedicated to the highest standards in
professional imaging. We welcome photographers of all genres to join our community of dedicated professionals.
Our Vision: To be Canada’s leaders in developing and maintaining the highest level of photographic excellence.
Our Mission: To qualify and support photographers to become industry leaders and to inform the public of the value in
hiring an Accredited Professional Photographer.
www.ppoc.ca
