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How valuable is a Press Pass for Photographers? |
I am looking to take a photography course, and one of the ones I am considering give you the diploma plus a "Press Pass". Does anyone know what it is used for, if it is just a gimmick for this course or what? I have been taking photos for years and just not would like to look at it as a career option so if anyone knows anything about this, please help. You have several things going on here. As has been already mentioned, press passes are event specific and are usually issued by the event's media or pr people. The other press credentials are a little different. I have working press credentials issued in my area by the local police department based on my association with a recognized news organization. Other jurisdictions my do it differently. In my case, it's a local paper, but it could be AP, etc., if I was shooting as a stringer for them. This gets me past the yellow police tape (maybe), or, at least, keeps the consequences to a minimum when I get caught where I shouldn't be. This isn't issued to you, but to the news organization you work for and only identifies you as the one doing the actual work. The kind of credentials you are talking about I have seen called 'courtesy credentials' and are actually pretty useful. They identify you as a professional photographer and that brings with it a certain credibility. It depends on whether or not the organization is legitimate, but it can get you into places you couldn't get into otherwise. This is very useful when the events are long scheduled and you apply early for your event pass. Some events, like the Chinese New Year Parade here in San Francisco, I will apply 6 months ahead of time. An example would be something like Red Bull's Flutag event. You can take your 'courtesy' credentials to the Red Bull media people and, if they haven't reached their limit of press passes, they will issue you one almost all of the time. That gets you access that others only wish they had. The key to using them effectively is people skills and salesmanship. I shoot freelance and have credentials from two publications. They basically do the same thing for me that the 'courtesy' credentials do, get me in the door. They do have the advantage that they are recognizable, they have my ID # and you can contact someone to verify who and what I am. Still, in the end, they don't carry with them any rights and my ability to shoot is something extended to me. Working press credentials, on the other hand, bestow on you the same rights under law that the legitimate press has to do what you are doing where you are doing it. Vance Source(s): Professional photographer/photojournalist A press pass is invaluable.... but a press pass is issued by a media outlet (newspaper tv, radio) not a school and they are usually given in reference to a particular event. it might be hokey There are press passes and press credentials. The credentials are issued by the press organ you are working for and the pass is issued per event by the event security group. Editoria, sports and glamour photographer Yes, it is a good thing to have. If you are a student of photography this is one of the first things you'll be told on your course. A Press Pass opens doors for photographers, get one. It is a gimmic just to get you in the class. The only true "press Pass" you get is working for a newspaper, tv news or magazine. Otherwise it just saying press pass with your name is a fake ID and will get you in trouble. You could also get one on your own. Register at the local police or state police office. Tell them you're a freelance photojournalist and would like to file for a press pass ID. This will allow you to get in close for photos where the keep the public back. |
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