Advice on getting a press-pass from the local paper?

[VisualOddity]

So I have been wanting to get a press-pass so I can do more photojournalism, but haven't been to sure how to go about this. Well, I was talking to someone a week or so ago, and he suggested that I go to the local paper (Elgin is very small and so it the paper- http://www.elgincourier.com ), and as them for a "Texas Press-Pass". Of course I would take pictures for them and they would be given to that paper for use. Basically, it would be my opporituity to start getting things published, as well as have better access to the events/stories I want to cover, and it would also give them more media to use if they would like to. This seems like a good idea to me, and I thought I might go talk to them on my lunch break today, however I have a few questions...

First, what is a "Texas Press-Pass"?
Also, should I basically just tell them what I just told you, that I'd like to do work for them in exchange for a press-pass? Should I look for a contract of some sort, or go informal for now? At the moment, I am not looking to make money, but more just to be published and get my work out there, as well as have something for a resume down the road.

It seems to me a good trade. All they have to give me is a press pass, and they get photo's to use as they please at no cost to them. But, should I put it to them like that, or should I go in looking for a paying job? Since I'm not published at all, and have no professional photography experience, I have no photography related resume to show them, so it kind of hinders my ability to look for a paying job... or does it?

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated... Thank you...!

[ssim]

There have been several threads on this same subject and you might want to search the "Business of Photography". I certainly can't speak to the Texas guidelines but they are generally the same in most of North America.

A press pass or credentials should not be construed as immediate and free access to events. The event venue, the attraction management can all have a say in who can have access. My experience in this has been that there are only so many shooters going to be allowed into some events and they will decide based on the publication that you are shooting for and is there value to them to have this publication there.

I realize that getting published is a high priority on allot of persons lists. Don't set yourself up so that you have set the bar so low that you have a hard time moving up. Say you get a pass from them for providing free use of the images. Over time you want to get paid. What is in it for them, at this point you become just like everyone else in the photographic pool and unless your work is over the top you will be fighting for the same work with a whole bunch of other freelancers. I think you would be wise to get some sort of compensation from the get-go. Have a look at this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=2290170) where the op set himself up by setting the bar too low.

Will a pass from a smaller publication get you into a Dallas Cowboys game. Probably not.

It has to be a win-win for both the publication and you. What happens if they put an image out on the wire service and it gets picked up. Are you still going to let this go for free.

I would urge you to search on here for press pass or credentials as there are allot of threads that deal with the exact scenario that you are outlining here.

[IndyJeff]

Your starting out on the wrong foot. If you want to shoot for free then don't ever expect to get paid or get any respect from your peers.

Once you decide that you want paid they will find another fool who is willing to do it for free just for the access.

There is one guy I know of who shoots some HS sports around here and does it for free. One night he ran out of batteries, seemed nobody would loan him a battery. I wonder why? You can tell when he comes to a game, everyone congregates away from him on the opposite end of the field or court.