PAA Distinctions

Beginning in 2026, PAA will recognize its members for their FIAP, PSA, and PAA photographic achievements. The first PAA Distinctions will be presented at the PAA Annual General Meeting in 2026 during the PAA Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV.

The PAA Distinction application lists the photographic achievements that the candidate may have earned. There are also areas where a photographic achievement may be added and the points for that achievement will be determined by the PAA Distinctions Director and the PAA President. Any new achievement submitted by a PAA Distinctions candidate may be added to the application list of possible photographic achievements.

The PAA Distinction Application spreadsheet lists the achievements: Example PAA Distinction Application Spreadsheet.  Any PAA member meeting the minimum requirement may receive a PAA Distinction each year.  A blank PAA Distinction Application Spreadsheet (below) is available for download, completion, and emailing to the PAA Distinctions Director for validation: paadistinctions@gmail.com.  

Minimum Requirements: 

There is a minimum requirement of being a PAA member and earning at least the AFIAP and QPSA. No minimum time of membership in PAA is required. Proof of having earned the QPSA and AFIAP is not required.

Photographic Achievement Points awarded for: 

• Each FIAP Distinction (increasing points for each higher level: NFIAP=2 points, AFIAP=5 points, EFIAP=10 points, EFIAP/b=15 points, EFIAP/s=20 points, EFIAP/g=25 points, EFIAP/p=30 points, EFIAP/d1=40 points, EFIAP/d2=50 points, EFIAP/d3=60 points, EFIAP/d4=70 points, EFIAP/d5=80 points, EFIAP/d6=90 points, EFIAP/d7=100 points, EFIAP/d8=110 points)
• Each PSA Distinction (not PSA Star Rating) (increasing points for each higher level: QPSA=5 points, PPSA=10 points, EPSA=15 points, MPSA=25 points, MPSA2=30 points, GMPSA=40 points, GMPSA/B=45 points, GMPSA/S=50 points, GMPSA/G=55 points, GMPSA/P=60 points)
• Earning a FIAP Portfolio Distinction (increasing points for each higher level: PFIAP=10 points, PFIAP/b=20 points, PFIAP/s=40 points, PFIAP/g=55 points, PMFIAP=70 points).
• Earning a PSA Portfolio Distinction (Increasing points for each higher level: BPSA=10 points, SPSA=20 points, GPSA=30 points, GPSA2=40 points, GPSA3=50 points, GPSA4=60 points, GPSA5=70 points)
• Earning the MFIAP (30 points) 
• Acceptance in FIAP free salon (e.g., We Stay Home, The year 2020, Wildlife Only) (each acceptance=2 points)
• Award (including HMs) in FIAP free salon (e.g., We Stay Home, The year 2020, Wildlife Only) (each Award 3 points)
• Award image (including HMs) in any PAA-Patronage Salon, beginning January 2024 (Award=5 points, HM=3 points).
• Each image selected for FIAP Cloud from each years PAA applications (first image selected in a year=3 points, second image in a year=4 points, third image in a year=5 points, fourth image in a year=6 points)

PAA Distinctions Levels

• PAA1 (First Level) – Awarded for first 100 Points
• PAA2 (Second Level) – Awarded for additional 100 Points for a total of 200 points
• PAA3 (Third Level) – Awarded for additional 200 Points for a total of 400 points
• PAA4 (Fourth Level) – Awarded for additional 400 Points for a total of 800 points
• PAA5 (fifth Level) – Awarded for additional 700 Points for a total of 1500 points

Fees

The fee is $10 for PAA1, $15 for PAA2, $20 for PAA3, $25 for PAA4, and $30 for PAA5.

PAA distinction PayPal Payment:   Link