Philip Kent, Master Photographer

Biography

With a lifetime of photography experience, Philip Kent has one of the most unique and extensive list of credentials of anyone in the area.  He is also involved on a regular basis in professional associations to stay on the cutting edge of technology and techniques to offer you the very finest in Professional Photography today.

Professional Experience

         Upon graduation from high school in southern New Jersey where he grew up, Philip served as a photographer in the U.S. Army in Germany.  After military service, he attended and graduated with honors from the renown Brooks Institute, School of Photography & Filmmaking in Santa Barbara, California. With B.A. Degree in Professional Photography, he has a double major in Commercial Photography & Color Technology.  Shortly thereafter he started Philip Kent Photographers, a business that grew rapidly in the 1980s & 90s, resulting in the studio’s expansion to its present commercial location near Tysons Corner in 1991.

         In 1994 he was awarded the coveted title of Master Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).  This is the PPA’s highest honor, based on years of awards and accomplishments, awarded to only the top 1% of Photographers nationwide.  Philip was also invited to membership in the American Society of Photographers (ASP), open only to the top Photographers in the U.S. who are also Master Photographers.

         Over the years Philip’s work has been selected by Walt Disney World and Eastman Kodak Co. for EPCOT Center’s “Professional Photographers Showcase”, a display of some of the finest Professional Photography in the world.  Along with state & national awards, his work was chosen for the PPA’s “Loan Collection”, a collection of the most outstanding photographs created by Photographers worldwide, out of thousands considered.  He has also contributed to the profession as a Seminar speaker teaching photography to other Professional Photographers and as a Print Judge at statewide photography competitions, judging professional portraits and wedding photography.

         His travels have taken him to Australia to photograph the America’s Cup yacht races, and to Kenya and Zanzibar in Africa.  In association with the noted educator Joseph Lekuton, now a member of parliament in Kenya, Philip’s photography of the people of tribal Kenya was published in local and national media such as the Washingtonian, People and Readers Digest Magazines, Time-Warner Books & McGraw-Hill Publications.
       
Personal

         In addition to photography, Philip’s main passions are skiing and boating, especially sailing, along with the associated travel and photographic opportunities.  An advanced and avid skier every year for the last 35 years, he has skied throughout most of the western U.S. as well as locations in Canada and Europe.

         As an accomplished sailor for over 25 years, he has cruised and raced throughout the Chesapeake Bay and the east coast to Florida, the Bahamas, offshore, and throughout the Caribbean to as far as Grenada.   His photography of some of these events has been featured in marine publications.  Recently he sailed in the islands of Tahiti with his family and being scuba certified with an interest in underwater photography, photographed reef sharks in Bora Bora.

         Philip resides in Vienna, Va. with his wife Karen and two teenage sons Colin and Ryan.  They also enjoy these adventures and it helps keep him young.

Professional  Memberships:

American Society of Photographers (ASP)
The Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
Virginia Professional Photographers Association (VPPA)

What is a Master Photographer?

Most experienced and established Professional Photographers are members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).  Its purpose is to enhance the skills of those in the profession, maintain high business and ethical standards, and recognize those who have made significant accomplishments in and contributions to the Professional Photography Industry.

One of the most  challenging and prestigious goals a photographer  can aspire to in his or her career is the PPA Masters Degree Program, where Professional Photographers can compete in state, regional and national print competitions.  First, through extensive study and testing, the photographer becomes certified, an intermediate step towards becoming a Master Photographer.  After competing in state & national print competitions for a number of years, which are judged by qualified Master Photographers, the photographer may improve to the point where his or her work is accepted into the annual national exhibit of the PPA, which is held in different cities each year during their annual convention.

After years of study and challenging competitions the photographer, if successful, will have satisfied the criteria required to be awarded the coveted and prestigious title of Master Photographer.  This is recognized as one of the most significant achievements in any photographic career and the public, when utilizing the services of a Master Photographer for a wedding or portrait can be assured they have hired an individual who is capable of the very finest in Professional Photography.