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Freelance photojournalist credentials?


4 years 8 months ago #653068 by Rich Beaumont
Happy Saturday peeps.

If someone wanted to pursue freelance photojournalist assignments, is there any special credentials that could be gotten?  

While talking about this, any tips you can recommend for someone getting into this field?  

thanks guys and gals.  Just something I'm considering so your input is greatly appreciated.  
Life's to short, SMILE!
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4 years 8 months ago #653071 by icepics
For whatever event you'd be covering the media outlet that's contracted with you to cover the event for them would request credentials for you.

In sports the credentials are issued by the team or the venue (arena, stadium). In my experience there needs to be a reason or purpose for you being there taking photos to be able to get credentials.

For an event you'll need a schedule, and to know where things are set up and when/where things will happen. Go early and be prepared for changes the day of the event.

You'll need to know a sport, be able to anticipate the action, etc. Go early and find good vantage points, notice backgrounds, notice the light outdoors/lighting indoors (avoid dark corners in older arenas). Be aware of who else is there shooting, including TV or other local media, and learn to work with them and around them (stay out of each other's way and be respectful). Be cordial to ticket takers and security, you'll find you'll get to know them and it will help to have a good relationship with them if you cover that team or events in the same arena/venue.

You should already have had a lot of practice shooting sports/events. If you need practice try events in your area where it's allowed for attendees to bring a camera and take pictures. Try local sports that allow the public to watch a practice or exhibition/preseason game and take pictures. Even experienced photographers need to get in practice and keep up the skill level.
Sharon
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4 years 8 months ago #653072 by Rich Beaumont
Oh, so much for a universal badge?  
Life's to short, SMILE!
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4 years 8 months ago #653076 by icepics
There isn't one. Credentials could be issued for a season in sports, or for one event/game.

Try asmp.org or PPA or look up Sportsshooter for more info.
Sharon
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4 years 8 months ago #653109 by garyrhook

Rich Beaumont wrote: Oh, so much for a universal badge?  


No such animal. You need a sponsor of some sort, be it Getty or what not. Most places aren't going to let you just walk in and take photographs, unless you're really good at sweet-talking people.

(Spoken like someone who's run into this problem before.)
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4 years 8 months ago #653268 by MYoung
There used to be one that you would see in the back of the photography magazines.  I just remember "international... something" or another.  
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4 years 8 months ago #653269 by MYoung
Ha, found it:  http://www.ifpo.net/application.html
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4 years 8 months ago #653272 by icepics
It's a scam. Has been for years. Decades.

It's a husband and wife team who do some sort of so-called magazine as an excuse to give out their own self made 'credentials'. They've made money from people who don't know any better or just want to try to get access to events/games. It might get you in a lower level sporting event if the people working the entry gates don't know any better.

In my experience everybody working the game/event has to have TEAM issued credentials, including the photographers and media staff, ticket takers, ushers, scorers' table workers, front office staff, major league scouts - everybody.
Sharon
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4 years 8 months ago - 4 years 8 months ago #653274 by icepics
It was a couple, I'm only seeing a woman's name now...
The address on their website is only a P.O. Box, can't be a registered business without a street address. Did find an address elsewhere, and if it's right it shows up as a house which looks like there wouldn't be anything other than a home office - unless that's wrong and there's an office somewhere, but I don't see any business/office address.

Looks like their 'magazine' hasn't been published since 2017, and 2015 - was only coming out once a year before that (I don't remember what they did years ago). Says it's 'reader driven' which usually means photos for free and people writing for free. Didn't see anything about licensing usage of photos or any payment for articles, etc.

When I found a name the same woman is the contact person for credentials, and listed as editor of the magazine, and at least one other job/position. Hardly what you see as staff of a magazine or an organization much less both.

Mentions a US Press Corps - there is no such thing unless that's what they just call themselves.
Sharon
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