About Craig

Craig Schmidt, Photographer, Podcaster, Instructor

Craig brings a lifetime of photography experience to the table and has the unique qualification of being a Master of Photography. This degree from the Professional Photographers of Amercia (PPA) is awarded to those image makers who have demonstrated their ability to produce only the best of photographic images. Photographers may enter images in the following categories . . .

Portrait – images of people
Wedding or Event Album – a collection of images from a social event
Wedding Prints – images with a wedding theme
Commercial/Illustrative – these images could have been made or used for a commercial use, like advertising, printing, corporate training, etc.

Craig has the privilege of earning his Master of Photography Merits in

Each and Every Category!

This proves that his skills and talents are very wide and diverse, even at intensely competitive levels. In addition, Craig has acquired the Approved Business Instructor and Approved Photographic Instructor Classifications from PPA.

Here are some of Craig’s awards and accomplishments . . . .

Kodak Gallery Award (8 Times!)
Fuji Masterpiece Award (3 Times)
Top Wedding Album (3 times)
Top Wedding Print
Top Commercial Image
Top Electronic Image
Mandan Art Association Award
PPA National Merit Award (17 Times!)
Past President, Prof Photographers of North Dakota
Past President, NW Prof Photographers Assoc

And recipient of Professional Photography’s Highest and Most Prestigious Awards:

The Director’s Award for volunteer service at PPA National Level
The National Award for going above and beyond in service to the profession

Area Photographer Received Prestigious Award

Craig R Schmidt, owner of Craig Schmidt Photography in Bismarck, ND was honored with the National Award for outstanding service to professional photography. The award is offered by the Professional Photographers of America to recognize those persons who go above and beyond by generous contribution of their time and talents to the service of their profession.

Schmidt also serves in other volunteer capacities. He is past president of the Professional Photographers of North Dakota, he is board president of Immanuel Christian School and Noah’s Ark Daycare in Bismarck, past chairman of the Board of Trustees at Grace Lutheran Brethren Church of Bismarck and currently Elder, President of the Bismarck Chapter of BNI, Business Networking International as well as the Northwest Professional Photographers Association in the Fargo area.

Being the best means hard work, dedication and constantly proving and improving one’s self.

Here’s what makes Craig unique:

Master of Photography
Certified Professional Photographer
Photographic Craftsman
Approved Business Instructor
Approved Photographic Instructor
Certificate Of Business Management

These are nationally recognized positions administered by the Professional Photographers of America. They require extensive examination and contribution to professional photography. No other photographer in North Dakota has this unique combination of credentials.

What This Means To You!

A lifetime of photographic experience is behind “gettingfocus.com”. Craig’s comittment to the profession of photography means you get advice from a long-time expert who understands today’s digital techniques as well as the “timeless” principles to help you improve YOUR photography skills!

Experience

Both personally and professionally, Craig has been involved in photography for decades. Before opening his own studio in 1987, Craig had a background in broadcast communications, including television production, video and still photography and broadcast management. You can still hear him “on-the-air” if nothing else from his ham radio station. As far as photography goes, Craig has been taking pictures avidly in one form or another since 4th grade.