How to get press access to shoot different events?

[Peter_Tee]

Anyone know how to get the press access to shoot different events where in the cameras are prohibited from public?

My main interested is different golf-tournaments and other sports events. I have been shooting in some golf events but noticed if you are allowed only to stay in areas reserved for public you do not get nice photos.

I guess the easiest way is if you get an assignment from some magazine but that often requires some contacts and even need to write a complete story of the event. In my case, I'd like to improve my skills and take photos as freelancer photographer. After building up a nice portfolio of photos it would be easier to approach some magazines asking if they would be interested in my services.

So, all professionals or freelancers, any good tips how to get an access to different events? What should I do? Are there some associations I could join and that way to get press ID and access to the events?

 

[hazmee]

Get to know the editor/PR people of such magazines or any events company. How to do it? Buy the magazines you're interested, read the glory box. It should state the email/address/tel of the editor. Every mag has one. Bring along your best photos to show as portfolio and dont forget your namecard. Be polite and professional. Then you wait for the call.

 

[Peter_Tee]

Get to know the editor/PR people of such magazines or any events company. How to do it? Buy the magazines you're interested, read the glory box. It should state the email/address/tel of the editor. Every mag has one. Bring along your best photos to show as portfolio and dont forget your namecard. Be polite and professional. Then you wait for the call.

That is definetely one way like I myself wrote. However, I'm looking for also other alternatives. Anybody know other possibilities to get press access without assignment e.g. from some magazine?

 

[hazmee]

Try applying for a job at the Straits Times. Serious. Jobs or assignments dont come in that easy and photographers usually dont share their plate just like that. Or if you have any friends in the industry, it would certainly help if you ask them to give you a recommendation. Hope that helps. Cheers!

 

[theRBK]

ingratiate yourself with pros...offer to carry their equipment, be their gofer...build your contacts and skill from there...

 

[Peter_Tee]

ingratiate yourself with pros...offer to carry their equipment, be their gofer...build your contacts and skill from there...

So, any pro here going to shoot coming Singapore Masters (March 9th to 12th) in Laguna GCC?

PM me if need some assistent

I'd like to discuss with you if I could help you in your assignment...

 

[Clown]

why need to start building portfolio from restricted events and locations? public area and free performances cannot meh?

 

[Ian]

So, all professionals or freelancers, any good tips how to get an access to different events? What should I do? Are there some associations I could join and that way to get press ID and access to the events?

First off it's not that simple to get a press pass and secondly it alone won't get you in to any major event. To get a viable press pass you'll need to join the local Journalist Association (or Media Allience etc) as a Photographer and that will cost you around $400 a year, then you can apply for a Press Pass (cost, typically 60-100 USD per annum).

Now for the bad news, a Press Pass will NOT get you in to sporting events, for that you need to have what you need is known as "accreditation" .To become accredited for an event the company you work for applies to the event manager (press) in writing for permission to send a photographer to cover the event, details will normally include the photographers name, day or days to be onsite, often a photo of the photographer and sometimes an equipment list, any specialist accreditation eg: FIA trained and licensed photographer, reasons why the company wants to send a photographer and lists of major publications in which their work has appeared etc. Some of the stuff I've just mentioned doesn't apply to the major agencies, for example, if you are sent from Reuters or AAP, Getty Images etc there is hardly a problem as they are the big players in the industry. Application is by no means a sure fire way of gaining accreditation to an event as the major agencies and publications get first bite of the cherry.

As a freelance photographer you'll need to be able to justify why you wish to attend, what magazines you've shot had work published in, personal details including the name of your business (must be registered) etc (see above) and will be allocated if you are very very lucky a pass/ID for the press gallery regions. I'd not be holding my breath though, in the case of major events there's normally more applicants than available positions.

Now down to more practical methods of gaining that ellusive accreditation, firstly learn what makes a good shot in the sports you wish to cover. Magazines and other press organisations aren't interested in whom you have in your portfolio provided the shots are of a given quality, so spent time shooting amateur matches and learning how to make fail safe shots that demonstrate your skill as a photographer. One thing you'll learn quickly with golf is that you will need long lenses as golfers are notorious haters of shutters going off while they are on stroke, this normally means fast glass, with a 300/2.8being about the shortest practical length unless shooting wide near the pin.

Ian