Getting paid for photo

If I happen to be at the right place at the right time and get a great shot. Let's say it is a sports shot. Can I approach a newspaper of magazine for consideration and payment? How much does one ask for? Do I send the photo for consideration and request payment if the photo is used?

Prolly should go in business.

Yes you can, they normally have sort of "fixed" rates or at least minimums and maximums. It really depends on the paper, who is running it, and their policy.
If it's something small, not much but if it is something big, say Elvis coming back to earth with an alien on each arm, let the bidding begin. That's when you get an agent or a lawyer.

Based on my experiences, and I shoot mostly sport, you are way too late already. Being on right place at right time, means photo is hot for next few hours. Noone cares about that photo after day or two anymore. It's not news anymore. And even if it still is, they already published it with some other photo or even without photo, so they don't need your anymore.
Otherwise call to sport editor of newspapers you think they would be interested, and tell him/her what you have. And at same time, you should know for how much you are willing to sell this photo. "I don't know yet, I will get back to you later after I found out" is wrong answer to his how much question
And one more tip, just that you won't be too disappointed. Editors normally have different way of thinking as you might have. So what looks so great and so important to you, might not be worth much to them. So most of time, they don't feel like dealing with 1000s of people who bug them everyday with "great moments caught by them". That's reason why you should forget about mail. Normally you don't even get reply. If you think your photo is really so special call rather then send mail.
And another tip.... sell it, don't give it for free. Every newspaper or magazine has budget for photos... even if they say they don't have it

Primoz:
Thanks for the information. I live in a university town and sometimes get into places others don't because of who I happen to know, thus, I might get a shot no one else gets. I might just get lucky.

Can you give me a feel of the value to ask possibly based on your experience? Let's say I am the only photographer at an event and a practice and catch an event worth talking about in the paper; or let's say based on positioning at an event I get an only shot or a better shot than others get (dream). What kind of price do I put on the picture? Where do I start? $100, $500? I have no clue.

WAF wrote in post #4130569
Where do I start? $100, $500? I have no clue.

For a newspaper: $25-$90

I can't talk about USA. I sold less then 100 photos to USA so... But for Europe it depends on country. Normally it's around 100eur/photo, but as I said, it depends on country and also photo size. One column photo costs less then half page or even cover photo. And of course it depends on photo itself. If you would get Clinton and Monica at that time, I guess you wouldn't sell it for 100eur, right?

I used to work for a small paper and did some minor photography for them. I'd say getting a photo published may be worth more to you than the money you are paid for it.