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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Giants Field Pass
Chris Wanamaker, Photographer
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Dingmans Ferry | PA | USA | Posted: 4:13 PM on 11.08.10 |
| ->> I've been trying to get in contact with someone at the Meadowlands/Giants regarding who I should send a Media Credential Request to but have not heard back. Does anyone have a contact or know who I could talk to about where to send this request letter? |
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Cooper Neill, Student/Intern
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Nashville | Tn | USA | Posted: 4:19 PM on 11.08.10 |
| ->> Check out "The Guide" |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 4:27 PM on 11.08.10 |
->> Chris,
Does the client not have the contact information? The Guide will likely get you a name but you're better off having your client submit the request if you want them to actually pay attention to it? They tend to get a lot of requests for credentials from people who feel that they're entitled to a field photo pass just because they have big lenses and a website somewhere in cyberspace so having your client make the request will go a lot further.
-Blanco |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 4:33 PM on 11.08.10 |
->> Oh, and for the record Chris (just re-read my post), I'm not suggesting you're one of those people! Just mentioning that sometimes it's hard for a freelancer with an email address that the NFL media relations contact doesn't recognize to get a response.
Just have the client apply and life will be a lot easier and you'll get a faster response. |
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Chris Wanamaker, Photographer
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Dingmans Ferry | PA | USA | Posted: 5:18 PM on 11.08.10 |
->> @Cooper - Thanks! I found that link after I posted.
@Brian - No worries. Though you are probably pretty close on that description. I shoot a lot of high school/college sports now, but have always wanted to start shooting some pro games to help expand the portfolio and gain some experience. The client has put everything together for me, but left it up to me to make contact with the PR department. |
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Michael McNamara, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Chris Wanamaker, Photographer
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Dingmans Ferry | PA | USA | Posted: 5:38 PM on 11.08.10 |
->> @Michael - Thanks for the link. As I read that thread and the piece of my post that you quoted, I realized that I may have used the wrong choice of words.
My company currently shoots youth and high school sports (portrait and action) - so that's why that type of work is what my portfolio consists of. However, my personal goal has always been to shoot a pro game (regardless of how great or crappy it may be). At some point in my life, the business is going to run itself enough where I don't need to step in and shoot youth/HS stuff anymore and when that time comes, I would love to just freelance for the pro teams. While I understand that good work is good work regardless of the venue (or equipment for that matter), I do know that not having anything from the level at which you want to work could hold you back. I guess that's the real reason that I want to shoot at the pro level as well |
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Paul Alesse, Photographer
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Centereach | NY | USA | Posted: 6:31 PM on 11.08.10 |
| ->> Chris... with all due respect, you didn't read the thread Michael posted carefully enough. |
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Chris Wanamaker, Photographer
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Dingmans Ferry | PA | USA | Posted: 6:39 PM on 11.08.10 |
| ->> @Paul - True. I skimmed it a bit as we have a lot going on in the office right now and I honestly didn't have the time to read the entire thread in full - so I may have missed some important parts. My main reason for this post was just to see if there was a better way to get in touch with the PR department for the team. I had the correct info in hand but hadn't heard back. |
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Ric Tapia, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 6:55 PM on 11.08.10 |
| ->> Here we go again! |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 6:58 PM on 11.09.10 |
| ->> it's not worth the effort to constantly go over the subject over and over again. You think anyone will ever learn, when there is another guy just waiting to jump in there. |
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John H. Reid III, Photographer
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Gates Mills | OH | USA | Posted: 7:48 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> It is somewhat unusual that the client would not contact the PR department, but leave it up to you. If you are contacting an NFL PR department saying "I'm shooting for (such and such) publication and need a photo credential for (x) game" be prepared for questions (i.e. "Why isn't (publication) contacting us?") NFL PR departments get boatloads of credential requests, and are only going to approve those that seem legitimate. It may raise questions if the publication is not directly contacting the team.
Also, you said "I do know that not having anything from the level at which you want to work could hold you back." How do you know this? Has someone told you this? Just curious. |
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Ethan Magoc, Student/Intern
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Erie | PA | United States | Posted: 8:29 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> Why is this suddenly an epidemic here?
What is your actual motive? Being there as a fan? Shooting to gain experience and build your portfolio? Shooting for a legit editorial client?
I don't follow the logic... My shots of kids/amateur athletes are good, but I won't land full-time pro gigs because Eli Manning isn't in my frame?
Chris, et al. of late -- Shooting pro sports is SERIOUSLY not all it's cracked up to be. I had the opportunity to shoot a handful of NHL games last year and added a few shots from those events to my portfolio. But when I revised again a month or two later, most were so mediocre that I chopped them in favor of local college hockey shots.
I just about guarantee that if you manage to get your desired credential, shoot those games, get the shots that will allegedly help your portfolio reach a new level, you'll end up loathing the overcrowding and additional rules so much that you'll never want to freelance permanently for any pro teams.
If you haven't yet seen them, please actually visit and spend some time on the links posted below. If you're busy around the office, find time when you're not.
It's well worthwhile...
Familiarize yourself with Chip Litherland's work. He's one of the most talented shooters on this site. His eye and client list are among the best around. And his blog once took up the better part of one of my afternoons. Extremely compelling imagery.
Read these two posts of his:
http://chiplitherland.com/blog/2010/09/the-mini-gridiron
http://chiplitherland.com/blog/2010/10/the-green-vest
Great photos in both, yet you're not being true to yourself if you think the NFL images would look better in a portfolio. After reading and looking them over, if you still have an immediate desire for an NFL credential, then I'm not sure any of us can help you. |
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Justin Edmonds, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 8:39 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> One of my favorite quotes: "stop assuming people know anything because they don't."
I understand that people aren't aware of the process to get to the "big" level but what I don't understand is why people won't listen to others when they offer up advice. This is a pretty black and white issue if you ask me. Folks like Chuck Liddy, Brian Blanco, George Bridges and especially John Reid III (Browns team photog) are top professionals that you should listen to.
For what it's worth, I got a contract to cover the NFL on assignment, not spec, this season based on my portfolio that has absolutely zero professional sports in it. If you work hard enough at the youth/hs levels you'll get to where you want to go, I surely did.
-J
http://www.jcedmonds.com |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 9:18 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> Chris,
Please reread the other thread. If you want to make money, I seriously doubt you'll any much money shooting the NFL. Too many people want to shoot it for the credential - which is why I quit - and I had a total of about 10 years.
Yes, it's fun, but it's not profitable and I can use my Sundays for other things like my family. Great experience and all that, but... if you're running your business successfully, count your blessings. When you breathe your last breath, G-d won't care how many NFL games you shot or didn't shoot.
M |
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Doug Holleman, Photographer
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Temple | TX | USA | Posted: 9:39 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> Climbers want to climb the best peaks. Golfers want to play the best courses. Surfers want to surf the best beaches. Don't give somebody such a hard time for pursuing a passion that we all share. Reminds me a bit of some of those territorial surfers sometimes. We've all been there. A lot of us seem to forget.
I'd love to be back on the NFL sidelines myself, but it's harder than ever to get an NFL shooting gig. It's harder than ever to get ANY shooting gig. It never hurts to ask. |
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Jeff Stinson, Photographer
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Carlisle | PA | USA | Posted: 10:41 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> Hope you find out what you were looking for.
I was flamed in my thread, but also gained some great information that in turn, I agreed with.
Hope you find what you're looking for. Best of luck! |
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Armando Solares, Photographer
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Englewood | FL | USA | Posted: 11:29 PM on 11.09.10 |
->> Doug,
Well said. |
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Robert Beck, Photographer
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Carlsbad | CA | USA | Posted: 12:28 AM on 11.10.10 |
->> I'm going to chime in here....I've heard all of this before too. From both sides. I came from where many of our esteemed members are coming from: nowhere. My Mom always said "It doesn't hurt to ask." Kojo's Mom said something similar but I forget her exact words (as relayed by Mr. Kinno). I did my share of asking in the manual focus days but I made sure I had something in the trunk to back it up. I started with a sport I enjoyed and had access to (surfing) and polished my skills with other sports that had easy access (skateboarding and volleyball). I hooked up with "a little engine that could" stock agency (thank you Don Weiner) and flipped them my goods. They liked it and began to dish out some of those desired big time college creds. I worked the less desirable games at first. As my work improved so did the games I picked up. 'Remember the board game "Chutes and Ladders?" That was my career track. Plus a lot of hard work. And a lot of being in the right place at the right time.
I see where some of these responders are coming from. How many people go to a NASCAR race and ask to work on a pit crew. "You know, I changed a flat on my wife's ride last week. I can handle a jack and wrench. Whadayasay?" Not many. It just doesn't work that way. You have to work your way into "that spot." You have to pay some dues. Bulk up the old portfolio. Lock into something you really enjoy shooting. Feed the portfolio some more. Then you'll feel good about working your way into bigger and better things. A well stocked book (or dvd or website) says volumes more to a potential client than saying....."It's always been a dream of mine to shoot ________."
You can avoid ALL of this if you really wanted. I am no tech wizard but I used two fingers to Google "New York Giants Media Relations" and came up with the name, number and e mail address of the person who green lights credentials for the Giants within twenty seconds. If you have the sack to ask then do your homework and stop getting spanked all over SportsShooter (Are we one word or two?). Haven't heard back from them? Ask again. |
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Michael Granse, Photographer
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Urbana | IL | USA | Posted: 9:42 AM on 11.10.10 |
->> EJECT!!! EJECT!!! EJECT!!!
Pull the yellow handles and escape from this thread before it is too late. |
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John H. Reid III, Photographer
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Gates Mills | OH | USA | Posted: 11:29 AM on 11.10.10 |
| ->> Just an FYI here, I'm pretty sure the Browns don't confirm credentials until Thursday the week of the game, (and I'd bet that most teams are the same) so don't expect immediate responses. |
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Louis Lopez, Photographer
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Fontana | CA | USA | Posted: 1:57 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> The standard response when asked is notifications on status of credentials is generally 24-48 hours before the event.
This varies slightly from team to team and college to pro. |
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Mark Smith, Photographer
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Elk City | OK | USA | Posted: 2:19 PM on 11.10.10 |
->> Some thoughts.
NFL and college level players often make for great looking photos, because they DO great looking things. They jump higher and often do more spectacular things. Because of that, I think a lot of people believe you need to have photos of them doing those spectacular things in your portfolio. I also think that the people who see the most photos of those spectacular things, i.e. editors, are more impressed with great looking photos that are more a result of the shooter's skills rather than the athletes'.
Editors are impressed by a photographer's ability to capture images that tell stories and that are interesting to look at, As well, they are impressed by professionalism. Those things can be demonstrated without having NFL players in your portfolio.
There are exactly zero shortcuts in this business. |
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Lee Weissman, Photographer
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XXXXX | NY | USA | Posted: 4:06 PM on 11.10.10 |
| ->> Thanks Robert for being the voice of reason. Here's my slant on it. I have been working every Sunday at the Meadowlands for a number of years. Years ago it was easier to obtain a credential. One year they had a "thinning of the heard", where many so called publications were no longer granted credentials. Since then the process has become tougher as the people who grant the credentials have become more educated as to the validity of certain publications and websites. Being on the "denied" side often enough early in my career, I understand the pain involved. I also appreciate the fact that I no longer have to fight past people as many people that really do not belong there. That being said, I went about making images at high school and local college games where access was less restrictive, and people were more welcoming. You build up to better assignments because editors felt more comfortable with your work, and not because you "want" to do it. While I agree with Robert that if you don't ask you will never know, be aware that many people ask every week. It is definitely more important to build up images and be published. The fact is, pro games are much more restrictive that college or high school. A typical Jets game is as follows…No stopping behind the benches…Only a small area in each end zone corner due to TV cameras…Cheerleaders in all four corners…TV camera people that can stand right in front of you…Doctors that stand out from the bench cutting down the angles…Coaches that do the same thing….Kickers that need an area to warm up…The roving TV carts…The list is almost endless depending on the stadium you are in. The point I am making, is that while the perception is great, the reality is harsh. |
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