"Credentials" for freelance Event Photography

largelylivin · March 6, 2007

I am about to start taking event photos for $$ (i hope). What kind of "credientials" might I need and how do I go about getting them. I am sure that even at open events where anyone can walk in with a camera, the appearance of professionalism might help on ocassion. So I am planning to buy some windbreakers, etc, that will announce my business and profession - right? I'll bet that there are some easy to obtain non-creditentials like big ID tags that could help appearances also. Any suggestions on what and where you can get them?

Finally, should I join some oganization so that I can carry a real ID card?

Any suggestions appreciated.

johng · March 6, 2007

I think you may be confusing 2 different, but similar articles:
1. Press Pass
2. Event credentials

The press pass is a doccument you own, provided to you buy the press organization you work for. Since it sounds like you are planning on working as a business this doesn't apply to you.

The second type of document is event credentials - they may take the form of a pass around your neck, wrist band or simply your name on a list. These are given out by the particular event coordinator and must be applied for. Depending on the nature of event, credentials may or may not exist. That's something you need to coordinate with whoever is running the event.

For instance, if you wanted to shoot a softball tournament you would need to contact the event coordinator for the tournament to get either credentials (if offered) or at least permission. If you wanted to shoot high school teams - contact the athletic director for the school and find out what their policy is. Youth organizations have meetings you can attend or talk to a coach to find out who the organization is run by.

What I don't recommend is what it seems you are considering: creating some fake document that looks real. Nothing could scream AMATEUR more than a fake press pass.

Nor do I recommend showing up and just advertising/shooting at a particular event without talking to someone ahead of time. You can find out from them how to handle your first assignment - i.e. do you just talk to the coach and officials ahead of the game to let them know you'll be there or will the AD or director send out a communication. You want to make sure this is part of your discussion with the organizer or director - especially if it's a non-credentialed event - i.e. how will coaches/officials know you have approval. Also remember, officials have the final say. I've run into some umpires that do not want photographers on the field of play - and it's their call. Many don't care as long as you ACT professional.

You also need to discuss whether the event or school has a contracted photographer. If they do, you should honor the contract in place - it may state that the contract photographer has exclusive rights even if they aren't at that particular game for instance (or it might not). The organization/school may also have regulations regarding advertising - for instance, my local school does not allow photogs to hand out flyers, etc - they don't want the parents bothered - so my advertising there consists of my company name on my shirt and a portfolio book they can look at if they requrest.

So, forget the fake pass angle and simply find out who'se in charge for a particular event and be honest with them about what you're doing and why. If there isn't a contract photographer and it's not college level sports 90% of the time they'll have no problem whatsoever with it.

largelylivin · March 6, 2007

Thanks for the advice. Yes I was confusing two things to a certain extent.

While your advice may seem elementary, I have never done this before and it is very helpful. I never considered that a highschool or local organization might contract a photographer or have some concerns that would effect me. I also never considered the possiblility of running into someone that is legitimately contracted to do the job. Clearly, you pack -up and leave.

What I was asking is:

1. I would NEVER get a fake ID for anything - meaning an ID that says that I am someone else or work for someone that I don't. What I WAS asking about is a photo ID hang badge that says that you are a photographer, who you work for or what the name of your business is, etc. Let's file that as something that looks official but is honest and factual.

2. Membership in a professional organization.

3. Jackets, clothing, and signage of some sort that (1) advertise and (2) again, give you that professional air. Where can you get this stuff in very low quantities?

What I consider to be the biggest obstacle is getting the message out that people can come on-line and see/buy photos.

TylerW · March 6, 2007

Acting in a professional manner is tantemount to being recieved as a professional - much moreso than just looking the part. Forget the clothing for now. Most pro sports photographers wear functional clothing and let their work speak for themselves. The most typical way I see for sports 'togs to flag who they're shooting for (especially since a number of them are likey under contract) is to slap a sticker on their lens hood.

Why not go and shoot an event or several, and see if you like shooting sports, before you try and make a business model out of it?

largelylivin · March 7, 2007

Thanks Tyler,

I am not actually planning to shot "sports" per se.

I live on the right coast and I have a "yacht" that I spend every weekend on. I am also in the process of reinventing myself and developing a new career since stress and depression ended my first career and put me on disability. I have my virtual shingle out here for photo restoration which I have studied very seriously for over a year and I am pretty good at it. I don't expect that to pay the rent, and its very sedientary which is not good for your health in general and specifically for depression.

So it came to me to apply the event photography model to power boats underway and sailing regatas. All those people would love to have a photo of their boat underway with them at the helm and there's hundreds of miles of coast within an hour of me. I also enjoy dogs and plan to try dog shows and especially water trials. All these things will keep me around the water which should be a source of continuous motivation.

(Finally, it helps me justify a small run-about (center console) to take photos from and (finally!) some semi-pro digital equipment. This model is really enabled by digital photography and the internet. A local shop convinced go for the MBytes and buy an XTi and a ?-135 IS for the boats stuff. At a minimum, I'll also need a flash and a shorter lens for dog shows. - I actually cannot afford any of this stuff but I'm not going to sit around a rot for the next 10 years until I reach retirement age!)

What do you think? Reasonable plan or over-rationalization?

LittleLew · March 7, 2007

All those people would love to have a photo of their boat underway with them at the helm and there's hundreds of miles of coast within an hour of me.

They might love to 'have' it but how much would they pay for it?

Robert · March 30, 2007

Without knowing anything about the business, it sounds to me as if you should approach the organizers of every individual event. They are the only ones that can give you permission to take pictures.
I do think that I understand your thoughts of ID card or the likes. This is what I would do: Think of an appealing name for a company name. Now, this may depend on company laws in your country. But once you have decided on a name, you design your card and get them printed. Now when you approach the organizer of an event you tell them [THE TRUTH] that you are trying to establish yourself as a professional photographer (hand them your card at the same time) and ask them if they would allow you to take photographs of/during the event.
But be very careful, if stress and depression was your problem in your last job, I think you better brace yourself for this one. Again, I am not speaking from experience, I just have a great imagination.

"Credentials" for freelance Event Photography

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