media credentials

JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
edited June 19, 2012 in Sports
I posted this over in the business section but it is not getting any response. I got the standard process, print medea editor writes a letter on company letter head that you are assignment for an event, you submit to the media guy and get ytour credentials. Done it a couple times.

Now here is my problem. The event is far enough away that my local paper does not care about it and my good old buddy that I used to submit high school pics to has been laid off by the paper.

How does a travelling freelance photog get credentials? I want to shift my summer work from local small time "official event" photographer to shooting national events and submitting images for publication.

The media guy is on the fence. He wants to give me credentials but he has to protect his "Official Photographer"(big time/full time/really great work), he allready has lined up the major newspapers. His last communication he wants to see what's in it for him? He stated "what kind of advanced publicity you can get me for your region". That in itself seems immpossible to me.

Comments

  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited May 16, 2012
    Your editor has several problems with sponsoring your credential. First, he has to have some actual reason for wanting the photos: the paper is doing a story on the event, or something like that. If this is not the case, he'll soon lose his ability to get credentials if he never does stories despite requests for credentials. Second, the staff shooters may be union, and your editor will get in big trouble if he passes over a in-house union person for a free-lancer. And even if the staff shooters are not union, if they are being passed up for a free-lancer (who, presumably is not getting an assignment fee) they will not be happy.

    I might suggest several options, depending on the event. If it is not a high-demand event with limited space (like a post-season NBA game), try asking the media relations guy at the team (college or pro) if you can get a credential. I have been quite pleasantly surprised at the positive response from doing this. Second, ask the various media imagery outlets. (US Presswire, Icon SMI, Corbis, etc. ) if they are interested in your shots of the event. Again, depending on the event, they may not have a shooter to assign. And if there is no assignment fee, they have nothing to lose. Lastly, you might try the local papers and online media in the area of the event. Very often they do not have a shooter and are willing to sponsor you.

    Good luck!

    John
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited May 16, 2012
    Thanks jhefti, I'll try US Presswire, Icon SMI, Corbis. If anybody has any other ideas, I'm listening. I think a freelancer I talked to at an event a few weeks ago(Rolex 3 Day) was shooting for Corbis. He was somewhat hard to understand. This next event I'm going to is the TORC offraod trucks.
  • JBHotShotsJBHotShots Registered Users Posts: 391 Major grins
    edited May 17, 2012
    ...
    Jamie
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  • toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited May 20, 2012
    You might like to try the back door. Call some of the teams and ask if their sponsors would like you to be their photog.

    If not as a photog ask if they need some pit help. Get your hands dirty, it'll get you access (they may need a gopher)
    Rags
  • xchangxxchangx Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
    edited May 22, 2012
    Couple of things, I haven't seen your work, but I'm assuming you have experience shooting under a deadline. That's one of the things the wires will want to see. I shoot for Icon and they can generally get me in to most events, however it can be a little hard to get noticed by them.

    But yeah, if you want to shoot major events (non-local), I would try a wire or perhaps even apply for the credential under your name. I've gotten in to a few events that way.

    Good luck!
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2012
    I'm in!! I ended up working a deal with the local(in that area) paper. They have another major event that weekend in the area and were short handed to cover both.
  • toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2012
    Congrats... thumb.gif
    Rags
  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited May 23, 2012
    I'm in!! I ended up working a deal with the local(in that area) paper. They have another major event that weekend in the area and were short handed to cover both.

    There you go!! Just need a little patience and persistence! Actually, that is how I got my first big sports assignment--just hours before the event. I still remember downloading photomechanic and being tutored at the field on how to caption by a friend and fellow shooter who just happened to be there. No pressure or anything tho...
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited May 28, 2012
    Here are the shots I am giving the newspaper. The guy that finished second with 2 laps to go actually rolled his truck down a hill, over a barrier, landed on his wheels and without missing a beat got back in the race. I think I may be the only photog that got it. Now I have to figure out what to do with them and the 6,000 others I took over three days.

    1
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    2
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    3
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    4
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    5
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    6
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    7
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    8
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  • jheftijhefti Registered Users Posts: 734 Major grins
    edited May 29, 2012
    Wow!! I don't know anything about this sport, but I would guess that the photo editor should be very happy he took a chance on you. I especially love the trucks in flight (TIF?) and the shots of the people.
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited May 30, 2012
    Thanks jhefti. These guys are fast. it was a treat to get to shoot them.
  • marcusrichphotomarcusrichphoto Registered Users Posts: 125 Major grins
    edited June 12, 2012
    Red Bull really are involved in some great sports, this looks pretty exciting stuff to watch and shoot. I really like 3, 4 and 6 as action shots, 1 is a cool crowd shot too.

    I have a contact at Red Bull UK, now I've shot one event (Red Bull Empire of Dirt), I'm hoping it will open a few more doors to other events, I've been trying for ages to get my foot in the door.
    Marcus.

    He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!

    My website: http://www.marcusrichphotography.com
  • moose135moose135 Registered Users Posts: 1,420 Major grins
    edited June 16, 2012
    Good work, Jim - both on getting into the event, and your coverage! I really like #3 and #4, but they are all good.
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2012
    Red Bull really are involved in some great sports, this looks pretty exciting stuff to watch and shoot. I really like 3, 4 and 6 as action shots, 1 is a cool crowd shot too.

    I have a contact at Red Bull UK, now I've shot one event (Red Bull Empire of Dirt), I'm hoping it will open a few more doors to other events, I've been trying for ages to get my foot in the door.

    Thanks and good luck.
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited June 17, 2012
    moose135 wrote: »
    Good work, Jim - both on getting into the event, and your coverage! I really like #3 and #4, but they are all good.

    Thanks Moose, love your plane stuff. I'm doing a Hot Air Balloon and Air Show in a couple weeks. Hopefully I get some good stuff. Message me if you have any tips.
  • toragstorags Registered Users Posts: 4,615 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2012
    Nice stuff JS

    The paper should be happy
    Rags
  • JSPhotographyJSPhotography Registered Users Posts: 552 Major grins
    edited June 19, 2012
    torags wrote: »
    Nice stuff JS

    The paper should be happy

    Thanks Rags. These guys were a blast.
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