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12/08/2004 10:40:32 PM · #1 |
Ok, so I would rather be stupid for a moment them dumb for a lifetime. I am working on starting a freelance business after the holidays are over (I'm getting a d70 for christmas). I was wondering if anyone here was freelance and what all they do. Do I need to go a press pass? can I ever get a press pass? if so what do I have to do to get one and where do I go to get one?
What area's should I focus on more than others? Do I start putting up business cards at the local grocey for family pictures?
I am currently enturning with a local photographer and he suggested I started a free lance business on the side selling photos that I have taken. that is where this crazy idea came from |
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12/08/2004 10:59:08 PM · #2 |
My experience is that press passes are given by event organizers, on a per-event basis. Unless you get in good with the organizers or venue owners, you can probably expect to have to request a pass for each event. Press credentials, on the other hand, are much more difficult to come by as they typically require at least two sponsors (who already have credentials).
As far as event-based passes, I've also found them extremely easy to get. Simply requesting them is usually enough to get them. Assuming it's not a concert or other relatively high-profile (or costly) event. Even with concerts, I understand you usually have to pay for a ticket and only get to be up front for the first three songs anyway.
Good luck with it! |
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12/09/2004 01:34:15 PM · #3 |
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12/09/2004 02:09:36 PM · #4 |
I'll basically concur with animes2k's comments... in order to get a press pass for something, you really need to be a member of some sort of recognizable press to do it legitimately.
For the football games I cover, for example, there's a process we have to follow to obtain credentials for the games. The newspaper has to fax the team, and I pick up the credentials at the game.
Each type of event has its own procedure; there are very few cases where you can print out a piece of paper that says "PRESS" on it, and expect to get any special attention because of it... |
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12/09/2004 02:13:05 PM · #5 |
In dealing with House of Blues (the biggest event group in the world), you need to just email/call them about a week before each event to get on the list for a pass. They give out VERY FEW (if any) passes to freelancers. The PR guy I know there told me I'd have to be with a paper, agency, etc.
Press passes aren't that hard to come by for local events like football games, etc. Call up their PR department. That's what I've been doing, they're pretty open to cold calls.
You can still 'freelance' but be with a paper or whatever...you just have to have a deal with your client. Freelancing for papers is hard since they normally employ their own photographers on staff.
I'm sure there's tons on the subject that I'm clueless about, but this is what I've learned thus far.
GOod luck :-) |
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12/09/2004 02:26:18 PM · #6 |
I requested a press pass from a local paper for a large event that was held locally. They said No, they wouldn't authorize that. I attended the event anyway, on my own, got about 450 photos, many of which turned out to be pretty good, and then a few days later, the paper called and wanted to know if they could have some photos from the event! Of course, I told them No, I wouldn't authorize that.
Press passes are pretty hard to come by around here. |
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12/09/2004 04:58:44 PM · #7 |
I got lucky recently at a motocross championship. It was strictly marshals and the ambulance crew only inside the dirt track.
I was wandering around with a 10D, but with a big white lens on. One of the officials came up and asked me which paper I worked for, so I just said I was freelance (I am not, I was just there taking my own photos, but it sounded good at the time). He went off, got me an orange safety jacket, and from then on I was free to wander all over the track area.
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12/09/2004 05:02:46 PM · #8 |
A press pass is a complicated thing usually. Press credentials are not usually worth much when it comes to getting into 'events'. Most 'events' that you would really want to get into such as concerts and professional/collegiate sports venues require the press pass rather than the credentials. Press passes are issued by the venue to specific press agencies, which in turn, distribute them to photographers and writers.
You have to be careful with press credentials as well. They will keep you OUT of some places instead of getting you in :)
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12/09/2004 05:07:21 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Natator:
I got lucky recently at a motocross championship. It was strictly marshals and the ambulance crew only inside the dirt track.
I was wandering around with a 10D, but with a big white lens on. One of the officials came up and asked me which paper I worked for, so I just said I was freelance (I am not, I was just there taking my own photos, but it sounded good at the time). He went off, got me an orange safety jacket, and from then on I was free to wander all over the track area. |
I got into a similar situation. It's amazing what an Intimidatingly BIG white lens on your camera can do, I was at this year's Montreal Santa Claus parade and got to roam within the parade with other pro photogs no questions asked. I'm sure if I was walking about with my G2 I'd have been kicked out to the sidewalk pretty fast.
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12/09/2004 05:25:29 PM · #10 |
| at the concert last night, I had JUST gotten there and had my lens on (it's not white, but it's big) when an older lady tapped me on the shoulder and said (pointing to a young boy) "he's the youngest one here .. the youngest james brown fan here!" obviously wanting me to take his picture for the paper or whatever she thought I was working for. I just laughed and pretended like I didn't know what she was after. LOL. |
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