media press ?

Hi Guys

i have a quick question on media press ? like press Credentials? how would one obtain one or what do they need to provide to get Credentials entrance to such shows as the NYIAS and other shows? i am not trying to get out of paying for entrance .. but alot of places wouldn't allow bags even for camera gear .. so if someone has any ideas on how or what .. please let me know

thanks in advance

tsw910 wrote in post #2996685
Hi Guys

i have a quick question on media press ? like press Credentials? how would one obtain one or what do they need to provide to get Credentials entrance to such shows as the NYIAS and other shows? i am not trying to get out of paying for entrance .. but alot of places wouldn't allow bags even for camera gear .. so if someone has any ideas on how or what .. please let me know

thanks in advance

Easiest way to get a media credential is to be a member of the media. Sorry to be blunt, but that is reality. If you work for an established media outlet, they can assist you in the process of obtaining the necessary credentials. Check with smaller outlets see if you can become established.

The blunt answer above is probably accurate, but try contacting the organisations.

I've had more failures that successes, but it can work. You may at least get some useful info.

If you don't ask, you won't get. The worst that will happen is that they'll say no.

Perhaps start your own website/magazine dedicated to whatever interests you, write a few nice articles then write to the venus asking for a press pass, citing your magazine/website. Get some advertising on the site also (maybe even get some of that pay-per-click type of advert). When they look to check up on you, they see a business website (which it actually will be by then) and might issue a pass to you. If not then you simply put a list up of venus that offered passes and those that did not on your website. Next time you'll find people more willing to offer them. You could say "Pictures of the Parish Airshow are unavailable as the organisers did not issue a press pass". Edit your hit counter so that it shows a ton of hits and perhaps increment it yourself occasionally.

thanks guys .. i really appreicate the bluntness .. im not a child so i can take it .. thanks once again and i will try to establish some kinda of media form of a web page and build from there .. thanks again guys

You might want to do a search of this topic and read the posts from IndyJeff. He has a lot of experience regarding press passes and pretty strong opinions on their intended use.

Trying to scam your way into an event does everyone a disservice. Your own website is not a media outlet in the eyes of most venues. Find a community paper that might have an interest in the event. Start with small events and work your way up. If you deliver a quality product, it won't take you long to get noticed and get better assignments and options. The tried and true method is going to beat the scheme every day.

Woolburr wrote in post #3000023
Trying to scam your way into an event does everyone a disservice. Your own website is not a media outlet in the eyes of most venues. Find a community paper that might have an interest in the event. Start with small events and work your way up. If you deliver a quality product, it won't take you long to get noticed and get better assignments and options. The tried and true method is going to beat the scheme every day.

If he puts together a site and runs it decently as a news site then he could:
A. get income from the site
B. get something that he could use to further his career
C. get press passes.

I don't know what events he wants to get into but this is my recommendation and I'm sticking with it.

Your recommendations are legendary. Fortunately most folks have enough sense to ignore them.

Sorry Rhys but I'm with Dan on this one. The OP is looking for a press pass based only on his desire to take a camera bag into certain shows. That's not a legimate reason.

Press passes are for use by legimate, credentialed press folks - as it should be. Creating a questionable news "site" just for the sole purpose of obtaining a press pass isn't smart and could be construed as ethically questionable.

If someone wants a press pass, be a member of the press (in some form) and go through the process of being legimately credentialed.

Woolburr wrote in post #3000023
Your own website is not a media outlet in the eyes of most venues.

In all fairness, though, if a venue is satisfied by the website, then doesn't the onus shift from the photographer to the venue?

Mind you, I'm not supporting this type of thing, but just pointing out that the venue is going to have the final say. If the website satisfies their criteria, then it satisfies their criteria...

Plus... If he can put together a good enough website that attracts visitors then it might both generate advertising income and site income.

Let's take a look at DCResource. The proprieter, Jeff Keller, started the site out of interest back in November 1997. This site is now his main source of income and genrates a million hits a year at least. He gets press passes very easily and this is just a hobby site that exploded very sucessfully.

Now, if the OP followed a similar path. I will cite aviation photography as an example. If he sets up an aviation site and applies for press passes to air-shows, airports and so on then publishes the photos and becomes successful then more power to him. To those that decry this - I hope you enjoy scrabbling for other people's scraps by working as an employee.

i do understand what and where everyone is coming from and saying for the most part ..

my main reason to obtain a press pass is not to just to get a camera bag in or for " free " entrance as i stated in the first post .. i basically just want to go out and be able to get good enough location for shots and be able to go on days where the public isnt in your shot like the NY International auto show .. and i do know i sound kinda snubbish for saying something like this as a rookie .. but im willing to learn the ropes and climb my way to where i need to be ..

plus, i do understand where i have to pay my dues as a rookie or amatuer photographer in order to get passes into bigger events like major race cars, bikes or fashion show for that matter .. and i am in no means of trying to get a press pass as a phony press of some sort of big media company.

all in all .. i just want to be able to build my scrap book off my hobby as a photographer. i hope i didn't offend anyone or started any type of ethical standard. i have seen so many shots on here where most guys have total access to some major events and i do understand those guys have been doing this for a long time and has a great reputation as a photographer .. but they all must've started somewhere .. and thats all i want to do .. is a place to start .. i hope you guys all understand

Woolburr wrote in post #3000023
Trying to scam your way into an event does everyone a disservice. Your own website is not a media outlet in the eyes of most venues. Find a community paper that might have an interest in the event. Start with small events and work your way up. If you deliver a quality product, it won't take you long to get noticed and get better assignments and options. The tried and true method is going to beat the scheme every day.

Dan, i do understand what you are saying .. but i am in no way trying to scam my way into any events, and i do understand why you would say something like that from my first posts .. sorry if i wasn't being clear on why i want to obtain a press pass.. i guess i should've been alittle more clear on why i want to get a press pass to events ..

btw, what does OP stand for ? and is that a referral to me ? sorry if i sound really stupid on photography terms