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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
How does freelancing for the AP work?
Ryan Young, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | United States | Posted: 10:03 PM on 08.24.09 |
->> I know this may seem like an obvious question to a lot of people, but, I'm a college photographer who is new to this and can't find a simple answer to it online.
So, I was just wondering what's the procedure for freelancing images to the Associated Press? I'm especially curious about this with the upcoming college football season. I'm wondering who I should be getting in contact with or if it's even feasible to try to sell them my images?
Thanks for any help! |
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Hal Smith, Photographer
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Sedalia | MO | USA | Posted: 10:34 PM on 08.24.09 |
| ->> It might be best if you contact your local AP bureau first before doing anything else. They may lead you to an AP staffer who can give you more information. |
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Thomas Boyd, Photographer
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Portland | OR | USA | Posted: 12:59 AM on 08.25.09 |
| ->> You'd think that fancy school you go to would be able to answer this question! Ha! |
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Jeff Mills, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Columbus | OH | USA | Posted: 12:59 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> Ryan, are asking in regards to being a stringer for the AP on assignment or trying to see if they might be interested in some particularly news worthy event you might happen to have some good photos from ?
In either case make sure you have the rights/approval of whomever your getting your credentials through before trying to sell or license any images, even for editorial usage if you haven't already. You never want to approach any client or agency trying to sell something you might later find you didn't have the rights to. I have no idea to your particular situation but if for example your shooting as a staffer for your schools newspaper, they might actually have the rights to your images. |
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Alan Walsh, Student/Intern, Photo Editor
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Tucson | AZ | | Posted: 1:45 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> At my college paper if the local AP contact sees something that's relevant to another story they call and ask us to upload it to them.
For example, last semester a photographer of ours took some photos about bookstore prices. Another local newspaper slightly outside of Tucson did a similar story and grabbed our photo. It doesn't really happen often though. |
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Samuel Lewis, Photographer
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Miami | FL | USA | Posted: 8:01 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> It really depends upon what you want to do. As Jeff points out, working under credentials from another organization may not leave you with the ability to sell your images elsewhere.
If you're interested in working for directly a local AP bureau and covering games under a credential issues to AP, you might consider making an appointment to see the photo editor or most senior photographer (or whoever is responsible for handling stringers--you should be able to find this out by making some inquiries) and explain what you would like to do. It might also be helpful to have a mutual contact--perhaps another photographer or a professor who is familiar with your work--make the introduction or help set up the meeting.
At such a meeting, you should be prepared to show your work to demonstrate your capabilities. If your work is good enough, you may be given an opportunity to shoot a game to demonstrate how you work under deadline and with the rest of the photographers shooting the game for AP.
If you have any other questions, please e-mail me directly. |
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Ryan Young, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | United States | Posted: 9:50 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> Thanks for the responses. I guess I should map out my situation better. I am a staff photographer for our schools newspaper and this is how I would be getting credentialed. My understanding of our publications procedure is that we are able to freelance images to non competing news sources (so basically just none of the other Athens area newspapers).
I guess at the time what I'm really looking into is like Jeff said, seeing if they are interested in something that I would already be shooting and get good images from. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 11:43 AM on 08.25.09 |
| ->> Don't get me started about the AP. I don't freelance for them anymore because of their rights-grabbing freelance contract, and don't contribute to them because they stopped paying for contributions in our region. Basically I only give them stuff they specifically call and ask for, but don't go out of my way to give them anything else. |
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Michael P. King, Photographer
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Appleton/Green Bay | WI | USA | Posted: 11:56 AM on 08.25.09 |
->> Ryan,
The Post is a member of AP, so you can submit staff photos to the report. Somebody in your newsroom – probably your advisor – should have the FTP or E-mail information and procedures for sending your images. Doing so is voluntary and not compensated. It's not "freelancing." The photos you submit, may be sent out at the state, regional, national, or international level depending on how the desk decides to route things. As a photographer, you may or may not have the authority to send your paper's photos... you need to check with your photo editor before you start doing this.
As far as true freelancing goes, start developing your contacts and connections in the state (with AP and beyond). Assignments in Southeast Ohio do come up from time to time (more often than you'd think). If editors know you're down there, available for work, and proven very capable of making good images, they'll eventually throw you some bones. But that comes with time and building relationships and a reputation with those who do the assigning.
Double check the freelance policy with your photo editor. In the real world, freelancing images from a staff job is almost always a conflict of interest and could get you fired. Double check. If, as staff, you're assigned to a shoot, don't endeavor to double-dip. My feelings are that even if this is allowed, don't make it part of your M.O. Don't let yourself get used to it. Develop your ethics now and they'll stay with you for life.
I can tell you're eager to get your work out there with larger outlets. Great to see enthusiasm. Just read up on the business side of things, and consult your faculty and trusted peers for advice. There really are bad rates and bad contracts out there, and accepting such terms does you and others no good...
Best of luck,
--MK
(go, Bobcats) |
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Joel Hawksley, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Kent | OH | USA | Posted: 12:43 PM on 08.25.09 |
->> Ryan-
This issue came up at The Post last year, probably right before you joined staff. I discussed it with Rick (Editor-in-Chief) and Sara (Chief Photographer), and they pointed out that we are better off going directly to the publications who might be interested in our images. I know Sam Saccone has worked directly with some of the Toledo papers in regards to sports pictures, and I would suggest you do the same.
The AP is a good way to network yourself, but the relationships you build with area photo editors may be of even greater value. I still keep in contact with the staff at my hometown paper, The Record Courier, especially when Kent State comes to town.
Best of luck-
Joel |
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Kevin Martin, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Baton Rouge | LA | United States | Posted: 8:50 PM on 08.25.09 |
->> I agree that working with regional photo editors of various media outlets is a good way to network. However, if you are talking about getting your name out there, or building up the recognition of The Post, I would suggest you still move photos to AP.
Sharing your photos through AP will benefit other AP members and readers/viewers. Doing so also gets your name and the name of your newspaper out to a larger audience. Suppose you move a photo from the Palmer Street riot back in the spring. It gets noticed on the wire and runs in the MSNBC Week in Pictures. Photo editor John Doe from the big city paper sees your photo and looks up your name and finds your website or blog. John Doe then decides to keep an eye on you and offers you an internship or job later down the road...
Aside from that, you can still build your relationship with regional photo editors by letting them know you moved a photo to the wire. You can give somebody at Akron a call and let them know you've just moved a picture that's relevant for their readers.
What's the old saying about the tree falling in the woods? |
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Joel Hawksley, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Kent | OH | USA | Posted: 6:52 AM on 08.26.09 |
->> Kevin-
Thanks for your input. Just to clear things up, the discussion we had about bypassing the AP was more about getting paid a fair rate for our pictures. I completely agree, the AP is a great way for a Post photographer to get their name out.
Joel |
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Ryan Young, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Athens | OH | United States | Posted: 11:19 AM on 08.28.09 |
| ->> Thanks everyone for your responses and advice/information. It's been very helpful. |
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