| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Freelance Blues
Chase Olivieri, Photographer, Student/Intern
 |
Condado | PR | Puerto Rico | Posted: 9:25 AM on 05.19.03 |
| ->> Being a freelace photographer, what is the best way to obtain press credentials for events? |
|
Clark Brooks, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 12:08 PM on 05.19.03 |
->> Contact the event organizers. Tell them what you want to do with the pictures you take. Go from there.
The best thing to do is find a client who needs photos from the event. You'll get paid to be there plus have an easier time gaining access depending on the event. |
|
Bruce Twitchell, Photographer, Student/Intern
|
Lewiston | ID | USA | Posted: 1:27 PM on 05.19.03 |
->> What if you want to shoot the event just for the purpose of shooting the event, like getting images for my portfolio? What would I say if I don't have a client lined up, then what is the best way to get the credentials?
Bruce |
|
John Reid, Photographer
|
University Heights | OH | USA | Posted: 1:57 PM on 05.19.03 |
| ->> If you want to shoot a pro sport (NFL, MLB, NBA, etc.), or major college you are pretty much going to be out of luck contacting the pr people and asking for a pass "just to shoot for my portfolio." If you want to shoot images for your portfolio, go to high school, Division III NCAAA, Little League, etc. events. Many young photographers believe they have to have a photo of, say, Michael Jordan in their book so editors, etc. will be impressed that they were at an event where Michael Jordan (or whomever) was playing. I may be wrong, but I believe that people looking for photographers are going to be more impressed by a great photograph from a high school sports event than an average photo of Michael Jordan, etc. If your school has a paper, sometimes you can find a story angle that might get you some access. You still will have trouble getting in to high profile events. Some cities have alternative press papers, (here in Cleveland there were two for a while) and had access to some pro events now and then. As a student, I don't believe editors, etc. are going to expect you to have been to big ticket events. There are lots of places to take great photos. Take advantage of them. |
|
Simon Lau, Student/Intern, Photographer
|
London | | UK | Posted: 2:09 PM on 05.19.03 |
->> I had this problem in the UK - I wanted to shoot at a snowboarding event in London (yes, in London, where it hardly ever snows, but anyway). I figured I'd need to get a credential so I approached an popular UK online snowboarding publication and offered to shoot for them, except they claimed they couldn't afford it...
So I had to go as a normal spectator whilst the site owner had a press credential and had the best view in the show and still took bad photos. I'll try again this year. |
|
Clark Brooks, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 2:44 PM on 05.19.03 |
->> I agree with John. If you want to shoot portfolio work look in your own backyard. Great shoots of Little League action down the block, Park District basketball across town, and local high school sports will work just as well in your portfolio. Youth soccer leagues, tons of amatuer events (if you don't live on the far end of the planet) and community colleges are also healthy places to get a start.
You will get a chance to shoot with no pressure to produce and risk to your reputation. You have more room to experiment and figure out a system and the ins and outs of your gear. If you get some excellent work then it will open doors you didn't know exist and ones to the place you hope to be some day. There are a lot of parents who love to have SI/SN/Athlon quality action images of their sons and daughters who will happily pay you for your practice while you wait for your first "assignment" and credentials.
The only caution is watch out for the GEAR-VIRUS. If you keep wanting to do it better, you'll end up wanting to buy more or better gear to do it with.
On other idea for ya. Give a call to the photographer who does work for a nearby college. He might need an assistant shooter. You'll get a chance to learn the ropes OJT and have access to shoot a higher level sports if you get your foot past the door. Just make sure you follow all of the rules concerning the use of images of NCAA athletes.
Good luck! |
|
Zack Uribe, Photographer
|
Santa Clara | CA | USA | Posted: 2:51 PM on 05.19.03 |
->> Shooting local High School sports is how I got my start. I went back to shoot my High School League Championships in Track and ran into the Editors of several local papers.
From that contact, I have been shooting sports from High School up to the Pros for the last couple of years.
It really does work!!! ;-) |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|