How To Join USA Today, SI, etc?

I was wondering how one would go about being added to say things like USA Today Sports Images, Sports Illustrated, etc.

Do they come after you after seeing your work? Is there an area to apply to become a photographer for them, etc? I vaguely have looked into it , but it seems there's not too much information on it, unless I'm just not looking in the right places.

Anybody know the process either? Do you submit photos? They approve you off of that? Etc?

Thanks

Sell to newspapers

Formula 1, how to make money?

SierraHighPhoto wrote in post #17171944
I was wondering how one would go about being added to say things like USA Today Sports Images, Sports Illustrated, etc.

Do they come after you after seeing your work? Is there an area to apply to become a photographer for them, etc? I vaguely have looked into it , but it seems there's not too much information on it, unless I'm just not looking in the right places.

Anybody know the process either? Do you submit photos? They approve you off of that? Etc?

Thanks

Reputation and proof of previous performance will be important. For those organizations, performance means delivering good images under deadline pressure.

The organizations you mentioned have tended to reduce the number of full-time photographers they employ, and major newspapers also have cut their photo staffs. That may open additional opportunities as a part time free lancer in your area for organizations such as Getty Images.

SierraHighPhoto wrote in post #17171944
I was wondering how one would go about being added to say things like USA Today Sports Images, Sports Illustrated, etc.

Do they come after you after seeing your work? Is there an area to apply to become a photographer for them, etc? I vaguely have looked into it , but it seems there's not too much information on it, unless I'm just not looking in the right places.


Anybody know the process either? Do you submit photos? They approve you off of that? Etc?

Thanks

Little bit of both. Sometimes they will see your work, but most of the time you have to get your work in front of them. What process are you referring to? Submission process?

Most photographers who get assignments from national sports magazines start as sports photographers at local newspapers. These assignments are given by magazine's regional editors based on the location to pro photographers they know personally, or are recommended by other pro photographers, editors, league officials, teams, etc.

The AP or Associated Press is a popular news agency that gathers news and sports photos from hundreds of local newspapers and provides them to other member newspapers and magazines for re publication, Having your photos republished in national magazines will bring excellent attention to your skills. When you work larger events with national media coverage, you should do your best to talk and network with their shooters.

In case you haven't already figured it out, you need to know the names and job functions of the editorial staff and photographers of the top newspapers/magazines/t​eams in your city, find ways to connect with them in person and through social media, and show them that you are the best choice for these assignments.

-Scott

xchangx wrote in post #17175459
Little bit of both. Sometimes they will see your work, but most of the time you have to get your work in front of them. What process are you referring to? Submission process?

Correct submission, or whatever the process is in general.

sspellman wrote in post #17175537
Most photographers who get assignments from national sports magazines start as sports photographers at local newspapers. These assignments are given by magazine's regional editors based on the location to pro photographers they know personally, or are recommended by other pro photographers, editors, league officials, teams, etc.

The AP or Associated Press is a popular news agency that gathers news and sports photos from hundreds of local newspapers and provides them to other member newspapers and magazines for re publication, Having your photos republished in national magazines will bring excellent attention to your skills. When you work larger events with national media coverage, you should do your best to talk and network with their shooters.

In case you haven't already figured it out, you need to know the names and job functions of the editorial staff and photographers of the top newspapers/magazines/t​eams in your city, find ways to connect with them in person and through social media, and show them that you are the best choice for these assignments.

-Scott

Okay that makes a lot of sense. I've begun the social media process somewhat. I'll look into the local papers and what not.

You better have a killer portfolio before you contact them. They aren't exactly hurting for people to shoot events. Don't waste their time unless you have something special.

That I know haha, just was wondering about the process is all.

SierraHighPhoto wrote in post #17175983
Correct submission, or whatever the process is in general.

It's pretty standard. Ingest into photo mechanic, crop/edit/tone, caption, FTP to wire.

Trick with wires is that you have to be efficient/quick and be able to handle the stress of working on a deadline like that.

xchangx wrote in post #17183059
It's pretty standard. Ingest into photo mechanic, crop/edit/tone, caption, FTP to wire.

Trick with wires is that you have to be efficient/quick and be able to handle the stress of working on a deadline like that.

This is the real thing. Nothing more, nothing less.