Have you heard of International Freelance Photographers Organization IFPO?

I just got an email from a friend who is trying to get started into photography asking me about this organization. Apparently you are able to get press credentials and the site provides some valuable resources to it's members. I'm not familiar with the company so unable to help my friend out. If you know of this company please share your thoughts on their program. Thank you.

I joined (sent in my one-time fee) and have ID cards, etc. Not sure if the "press credentials" you can get from them (at extra cost) would be honored anywhere. I haven't received anything additional from them other than advertising to get "enhanced cards" and other ID pieces.

I think Rob Huelsman (Rob pix4u2), our hockey guy is a member. Perhaps he can add more.

I almost signed up for this in November, but I never heard back from them. I'm working on getting into fashion photography and wanted to know if the credentials would be helpful to getting access to fashion shows?

I've been an IFPO member since 1993 and yes the credentials do help to gain access and assignments. The one time membership fee is worth it as it helped me get started in sports photography.. If you have any specific questions send me a PM and I will try and answer as best I can

This has come up before and I'd run across them in the past, from what I've been able to find out they don't seem to actually be an organization as much as they're set up to sell credentials (can't find an office, board of directors, officers, etc.). Of course Rob has a legitimate use for these for road games, but unfortunately I think this could be likely to attract people who just want to get into a sporting event for free, hang out with their camera and get access to the players etc.

From what I remember reading they don't seem to have the best reputation anymore, although they may have at one time, I don't know. They do some sort of magazine and use that to obtain credentials for people on the premise that you'd be taking photos for that; but the magazine supposedly has articles like how to use a digital camera which, if you are really using credentials and covering an event, why would you want their magazine, you'd already know
how to use a camera.

I don't know if the credentials would be accepted by teams, at events and venues, or not. Teams at minor league and college level that I'm familiar with issue their own credentials, and you have to go thru the PR director or the SID at a university. There are ways you can request credentials without having to pay for these.

Foxy if you're seriously interested in doing fashion photography, it might be worth getting acquainted with people at the fashion events and go thru them for credentials. Once they get to know you and see that you're there to work at your photography, they could be willing to allow you future access or it could lead to opportunities. At least in sports that's been my experience, teams know who's there to work and are serious about doing sports photography and who's there to hang out in the press room and scarf down the freebies.

Rob pix4u2 wrote: I've been an IFPO member since 1993 and yes the credentials do help to gain access and assignments. The one time membership fee is worth it as it helped me get started in sports photography.. If you have any specific questions send me a PM and I will try and answer as best I can

Do you get a photo ID card that shows how long you have been a member?

This may have been a legitimate organization but seems to have gotten into some deceptive practices, they also claim to be AI Press (American Image Press) which doesn't actually seem to exist.

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