Starting over.....

hesaias

Long story short, I moved to a new town. I had contacts and fairly unlimited access to youth sports where I was, but now, I have nothing and need to start over.

All that said, I contacted the High School and got no response. I shot a couple of events from the stands, and sent samples, even supplied them with references....got no response.

Also, the youth sports in this area has a much larger parent participation, and I do not want to be the "weirdo taking pictures of little kids"

Everything kinda fell in place where I was and I need the following advice:

How do I get a press association credential since I am freelance and what is a good way to introduce myself to the local youth sports groups?

Angelo

Hey Scott:

How about clueing us in on where you are so others who may be local can offer advice.

hesaias

Ahh
Aiken South Carolina

Shima

Have you tried going in person to talk to the local schools? Sometimes people are more responsive to that face to face sort of contact. Being the "new guy in town" you have no personal face to them, and they may need that. Otherwise they see your letters and just shrug them off as someone no one knows.

Just my thoughts.

Bonechips

Scott, I have been a photojournalist for over 34 years and have worked for most of the major news magazines as well as a couple of newspapers. As far as credentialing goes for free-lancers, just make your own press pass. You might also want to join an association like the NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) or the Web News Association. These are professional groups who can give advice on mant topics you might be interested in as well as provide mentoring. Having said that, you might also want to get on the information email list of the schools and groups you are interested in covering. Contact them often and give them a couple of free photos from time to time. This goes a long way to establishing a viable relationship. In my line of work, networking and managing contacts goes a long way. Good luck.

Barry

hesaias

Thanks for the tips.

One question about making a credential

The South Carolina HS league will only acknowledge a SC press association credential. I believe I can get a membership, but for non championship games, that rule is not enforced.

Should it have anything other than a picture and contact info?

Art Scott

There is also a freelance group tha has beenm around for over 20yrs....

INternational Freelance Photographers Organization.....IFPO

wa8ruo

Getting 'inside'...
Scott,

I know a little of what you're going through... I had a business, then had to drop it due to my wife's serious ilness. Now I'm starting over...

Virtually every high school has a yearbook. The kids are suposed to take pix, but there's never enough for a good layout. Sometimes the school has to resort to buying photos from commercial sources. Contact the school and make an appointment with the yearbook advisor (teacher). Take along your port' and offer to share school photos at no charge in return for a little advertising (like posters, mention in announcements, etc.) and a pass to get in the games. This is working for me.
Once you're in, ask the advisor if she/he can reccomend you to the advisors that put on dances, school photos, etc. If the position is filled, then ask if yo can be the alternate photog. Also, if you're in a large school district, don't forget the "other" schools... Jr Hi and elementary.
One more thing... So far, I've not been asked to pay a commission, but a pro friend of mine tells me that I may need to give the school up to a 40% cut of my sales. Some of the other folks on here may have input on this.

Good luck!

...Charlie