Press Pass

[Princess1965]

Hi

If this has been asked and answered somewhere else then I apologies.

How can a pro photographer go about getting a press pass for events eg sports events. I know there is a press association for journalists, is there anything similar for photographers?

For the record I am in the UK if that makes any difference.

If you are a 'pro' then you'd already know the answer to this.

[Jim Bryant]

There are photographic societies there in England. I suggest that you contract the PR people at the various teams and venues that you want to photograph. Joining a press association doesn't guarantee one a press pass. You need to make contacts.

[WooD]

I shoot for a micro monthly community paper. If I see an event I want to shoot, I just tell the editor, and so far she has always hooked me up.

I'm shooting a Caribbean Music Festival this week end.

Having the credentials Jim has wont guarantee getting into event type stuff. I was shooting a Hispanic festival last year, and they ran off all the other photographers from the shooting area in front of the stage, because they didn't have a pass to that specific event. Even thou they had some impressive looking PRESS stuff hanging from their necks.

[waffles]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

If you are a 'pro' then you'd already know the answer to this.

Sadly, this is essentially the truth. You're not going to get a press pass as someone who just wants to go shoot an event. You can go into the stands in most places and shoot from there (assuming you follow the rules they have). But press passes are handed out for people to do a job, not for people to build a portfolio or to just play around.

[AtlantaTerry]

Princess1965:

Your best bet in the long run will be to develop a working relationship with a media outlet such as a wirephoto service, local newspaper or TV station, etc.

Once you start to get published and prove you can deliver usable images (and get paid for them) they should work with you to get credentials from your regional governmental body, the venue (stadium) and producers of the event.

Also once you are a working pro you should be able to pay dues and join the working photographer's group in your area.

When I was an American newspaper photographer about 40-odd years ago I was a member of the Ohio Press Photographer's Assocation and the National Press Photographer's Assocation. When the President of the United States came to the area one could not get close without one of these sorts of indentificaton. I'm sure it's still that way.

Like the old expression partly says, "It's who you know."

Best of luck.

Terry Thomas...
the photographer
Atlanta, Georgia USA