Requesting Credentials

Hi everyone,

Please ignore my ignorance as I have searched a bit but couldn't find an exact answer (feel free to point me in the correct direction if a thread is already in progress).

When I requested credentials for the shows before, I had always worked for some type of publication. Has anyone ever requested just for the hell of it? How would one go about doing that (if even possible) just to build their portfolio without signing over the rights to the artist?

Thanks,
Brandon

There is no benefit to the artist/promoter/venue to provide you acess unless you are working media of some sort. Essentially you are asking for a free ticket.

That's the purpose of this topic. My apologies if I wasn't clear.

I'd like to shoot for the artist without relinquishing all rights to the photos. Possible?

Brandon James wrote in post #17871262
That's the purpose of this topic. My apologies if I wasn't clear.

I'd like to shoot for the artist without relinquishing all rights to the photos. Possible?

Very unlikely. You want a free ticket, access to the front row, for no benefit.

When I first started shooting bands, I would contact bands directly and offer them images in exchange for access. I retained the copyright and sent them copies. I did that with Blackstone Cherry and with Zakk Wylde. I had full reign to use the photos as I wanted, and so did they (they never did).

It's been years since I did something like that, but it can certainly be done...

Road Dog wrote in post #17872997
When I first started shooting bands, I would contact bands directly and offer them images in exchange for access. I retained the copyright and sent them copies. I did that with Blackstone Cherry and with Zakk Wylde. I had full reign to use the photos as I wanted, and so did they (they never did).

It's been years since I did something like that, but it can certainly be done...

I do this too, in fact I am photographing a show tonight after approaching the band for a pass. When bands grant me a media pass they can use my photos without charge, with credit to me and watermark intact, on web and social media. Any additional use a license agreement is reached depending on their specific need. I'll humbly disagree with the "no benefit" sentiment, this has worked well for both me and the artist and their media/promotions department.

Brandon James wrote in post #17871262
That's the purpose of this topic. My apologies if I wasn't clear.

I'd like to shoot for the artist without relinquishing all rights to the photos. Possible?

I don't think you understood Gonzo's answer.

If you are not doing it for media publication why would the band/venue give you, what amounts to, a free ticket. If they did that everyone would be turning up claiming that they were shooting "for their portfolio".

Obviously a small/new venue looking for publicity or a new band, may well agree to do it. A bigger, more professional band/venue is unlikely to unless you already know someone there. Same with sport. I can get a media pass to several sporting events here but I can't get one for the Hong Kong Sevens unless I have the backing of a publication/media.

Brandon James wrote in post #17871262
That's the purpose of this topic. My apologies if I wasn't clear.

I'd like to shoot for the artist without relinquishing all rights to the photos. Possible?

Come on, are you serious about this? No wonder why some artists take it upon themselves to get free photos for eff all

Stop ruining professional photographers. If you can't get a media outlet, try getting an agency to let you contribute