Obtaining & using credentials

Now that you've developed your photo skills to a proficient level, it's time to start defining your professionalism. It's hard to convince other professionals to take you serious without looking and acting like a professional your self. The more polished you look, the easier it is for others to open doors for you to walk threw. In large cities, photojournalist's often must compete for the limited amount of credentials that are granted. Press relations people want to get the most bang for their buck and assign credentials to the photographers that can deliver the most coverage. When your first starting out, don't assume you'll get access to the biggest events. More often than not you'll start off working smaller venues. Working with local bands will not only put some coin in your pocket, it'll afford you the opportunity develope people skills.   The right attitude will be the key to you're success. Be confident but not cocky. Be polite and respectful. Be honest,  don't embellish.  And don't be a name dropper. And if your asked to provide tear sheets or photo's honor their request. It's a small price to get a reputable name circulating. Even in large cities press relations people know each other and once your blacklisted you might as well relocate. Remember press agents and event managers are professionals trained to weed out the wanabee's. After successfully navigating threw the process several times you'll become more relaxed and confident. Adhere to these rules and you'll be amazed  how a good reputation will preceed you. Paying you're dues now will lead to the big events later. My best advice at this point is to put forth your best possible effort even when working the smallest of venues. You never know who knows who so treat everyone with equal respect. I once struck up a conversation with a guy cleaning a horse stall at a county fair who turned out to be the person that invented fiber optics and was worth millions! Raising and showing Clydesdales was his hobby.

How it works:
First pick the event you want to cover. Remember start out with something relatively easy to get your foot in the door then move up to really big events. Travel to and lodging at these events can get expensive so budget for it.

1. Find out the procedure and deadlines required for getting credentials. This will probably mean calling the venue or in some instances making a request by application on their websites. Start early, usually a month ahead of time. During the 1984 Olympics my college applied and was granted credentials two years in advance. Several world renown newspapers waited until the last moment and was left scrambling.

2. Start the request process. Generally you will have to get your editor to request credentials on company letterhead and you may have to fill out a form or meet insurance requirements. If you are a freelancer, then you will need to make up a letterhead and business cards. Study the promotional materials of pros and make yours look just as impressive!

3. If liability insurance is required (i.e. the Kentucky Derby requires you to have $1 million in liability insurance to cover the races from the track), you will probably have to purchase this on your own. If you are associated with a company, they may already have it so check there first.

4. Follow up with the venue until you get the OK. Some big events will be reluctant to credential a website so you may have to do some convincing. This is one reason why you should start small, you need a portfolio of live coverage to show them you are legitimate media.

5. Don't be surprised if you have to submit paperwork more than once. Losing your paperwork is one way to discourage too many people from coming. Be persistent.

6. Once you get the credential, read the instructions carefully for any policy info or rules of behavior. Some places will have a dress code and will specify exactly where you can go. If you have any questions, be sure to ask their media relations person when you arrive but don't call them in advance.

7. At the event, always wear your badge. Security will be looking for it and it will likely be coded in some manner to say what kind of access you have.

8. There will be a press box or center that you may or may not get access too. Do not arrive at an event hungry. In large cites food may be provided, however don't take it for granted.  It may help you get credentials if you specify you don't require a space in the press box as it can be quite crowded for big events.

9. If you are taking photos, follow the rules they gave you carefully. Don't get in front of TV cameras or the other photographers and block their shots. This is their bread and butter so be curteous, especially if this is just a sideline for you. At large events photog's will be expected to rotate in and out of the key shooting spots. When I shot LA Kings hockey games photographers would take turns shooting threw a small cut out in the plexiglass. Be aware that each photog has to get his money shot and work with each other.

10. Have a decent camera to take, digital preferably, that has settings to take nice action shots. For heaven's sake don't show up with a disposable camera. Use the best quality equipment you can buy and only bring the hardware you need. You're equipment is a qualifier. Be sure to practice focusing in the back yard, the quicker you can snap into focus the more likely you'll be able to grab those money shots! Using auto focus on a digital camera can be tricky with quick action shots. I always turn it off. Usually the camera will try and choose the wrong thing to focus on. Battling a camera means loosing great shots!

11. You may get free box lunches or hot food, media guides, or even shirts, hats or other merchandise. Don't be greedy about this if you are a newbie but accept gratefully if it is offered. Eventually you will get on the 'A' list for the freebies but never act like you expect them. Do be sure to request a media guide if you aren't given one automatically as they are VERY useful. You'll need this info when filing and captioning your photo's.

12. Be sure to introduce yourself to as many people as possible, especially the media relations people for the event. You want them to remember your name and site for next year and to have a good impression of you. Give out lots of your business cards and network with other press people. Use this opportunity to tap into the wisdom of the pro's that are present. However do it only when it doesn't interfere with their work. You'll learn far more in the field then in the class room!

13. Usually there will be a press conference with the winning person/team. Go to these to get quotes and/or photos for your article. Even if you don't ask something yourself, you can write down comments to the other reporters' questions. If you do ask questions make them brief and know what your talking about.

14. Post your story in a timely fashion, preferably the night of the event. It helps to have the basics of the story ready before hand and then just plug in the details, commentary, and photos afterward.

Tips:

A. Don't be nervous. Websites are legitimate media even if some events don't recognize that yet.

Act like you should be there and not like a fan.

B. Practice taking action pictures as you won't get a second chance for most shots at the event.

C. Keep your eyes open as you never know when something worthy of a photo will present itself.   Don't miss that once in a lifetime shot by being inattentive.

D. If you afforded the opportunity to go back stage, treat the performer simply like a person

with a really cool job. Most if not all hate being made uncomfortable by people acting

like groopy's.