fredmiranda.com

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

Sports Corner Rules
Sports Corner Resource

FM Forums | Sports Corner | Join Upload & Sell

3 … 10 11 end

Archive 2010 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Me_XMan
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #1 · Photo Credentials. Why?

I agree with Lee here.

Go and volunteer for local newspaper (media org).
Shoot for free for AD or SID and you'll get it (education).

leewoolery wrote:
Steve:

Credentials are for working media, staff or official photographers who need arena, stadium, sideline or courtside access to do a job.

Credentials are not for parents with cameras, curiosity seekers, weekend warriors or non-pros who just want the better angle a media pass will grant you.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot Photo

Mar 18, 2010 at 11:37 AM

leewoolery
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #2 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Rick Denham wrote:
OK, it seemed more geared towards Steve than a general resonse, my bad!

Rick:

No problem...I should have stated it in the third person.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot

Mar 18, 2010 at 12:06 PM

fotojeroen
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #3 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Me_XMan wrote:
I agree with Lee here.

Go and volunteer for local newspaper (media org).
Shoot for free for AD or SID and you'll get it (education).

I've started my career as a volunteer at a local broadcasting facilyty.
Started out when I was 15 or 16 with floormanaging at a rock-programm. After a while I entered the sports-team with production and directing and after a while I hosted my own show. When I found out that radio wasn't my thing I left the broadcast station.
A few years ago I discovered photography and walked back in. had a cup of coffee and started shooting pictures for them. Still as a volunteer because they have small resources and everybody was a volunteer. (Local broadcasting is way smaller overhere)
At some point the needed pictures for a advetorialpaper from a soccer match. We have a team in the highest league in our town and the broadcaststation get me the credentials and I shot my first soccer game ever. It was a one time gig.
Later I've asked if there was more interest in sports and there was. So I started with shooting all of the soccer games if the professional-team. But also attend to games from amateurs, attend to other sports and shoot lots and lots of sports for them.

When I realized I didn't do so bad compared to other media in the neighbourhood I called a girl I knew at a local paper (The girl also has been a volunteer at the broadcasting station). They would love to print my pictures. But they could not pay me. I said that that was no problem, but that I would not give pictures without payment. Maybe later there will be funding.
A few months later I've talked to here again and there was funding so she asked me to send pictures for evaluating. I did and they printed a few. We talked again and now I deleiver them all the sportspictures they need. And I got paid.

The broadcasting station still provides most of my credentials in the region (although I have to arange most of them myself, but they pay for the required credential-card)
I'm free to deliver my pictures to everybody who is interested.

It is still a pain in the a** that it takes a lot of time calling and talking to people to get published sometimes, but when I look back I'm sattisfied with the things I have accomplished so far.

So yes, I did start on the lowest ground, but I've climbed up. And I'm still climbing.
Networking gave me the upportunity to came in contact with a major website of an other country (belgium, 20 minutes driving) and for them I shoot races in Belgium and The Netherlands. I did that for one year now and I can't wait to shoot some more this year. With the credentials of that website.

So, my main story, is if you are willing to work hard on your own skills and are able to network, you can get credentials. But don't expect to sit back and relax when you do. When I'm at a soccer game or a race, I'm there to work, not to look at the sport. And it pays of in my pictures.

Mar 18, 2010 at 12:26 PM

Steve Ickes
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #4 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Rick Denham wrote:
Lee

Are you missing something here.

STEVE IS PART OF THE ACCREDITED MEDIA CIRCLE

His question was posed to others on this forum, mainly the non-working media type, to see what their reasoning was for want to get credentials was.

For example ... to get a better angle, they want to be next to their heroes/icons, because it's cool.

Aaaannnndddd . . . . . WE'RE BACK! I hope

Mar 18, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Steve Ickes
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #5 · Photo Credentials. Why?

leewoolery wrote:
...not missing anything. I know he's a professional.

My statement was a general response to Steve's question about ways to gain credentials for non-professionals.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot

Actually the question is WHY DO YOU WANT CREDENTIALS not "HOW do you get a credential". That's been answered time and time again.

Okay, maybe not such a great idea. I really just wanted to know the different reasons or motivations behind seeking credentials. RCGuy kinda summed up a few but I was hoping that photographers who keep asking "HOW" would chime in to answer "WHY".

Well Rick I might have to concede defeat to your monster 9 page thread. I can't even get this puppy off the ground

Mar 18, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Steve Ickes
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #6 · Photo Credentials. Why?

pappawheely wrote:
Here is a post from a blog. This person had credentials. BTW they don't race Trophy Trucks in this series, the racing starts at 8:00am and long pants are required on the track.

I can tell you're new here! Welcome to my blog, I hope you'll find lots of interesting things to read here and that you'll be back often. This message will auto-destruct the next time you show your face around here So I got a funny story about last weekend's trophy trucks race, which took place at the Lake Elsinore racetrack in California...I got kicked off the track for wearing shorts instead of pants!!! You see, they have certain "rules" in the Lucas Oil Off Road series, to be more specific, they pretty much tell you what you have to wear if you wanna be on the track, whether you are a photographer or a crew member! The rule is you can't wear shorts, you HAVE to wear pants...110 degrees outside and they MAKE you wear pants. I NEVER wear pants! I'm uncomfortable when I wear pants, especially jeans, and I sweat very easily - even when it's -20 outside - so you won't see me in pants very often. Anyways, I didn't know that the rules say you can't wear shorts, so I show up at the race on Saturday evening around 5:30, and I run into my first problem: I'm not on the media list even though I was supposed to be, and the girl I was dealing with was a real salope (it's french, look it up...) and wasn't very helpful at all! After running into an old friend of mine that hooked me up and got me in, I was finally on my way to the track! (turns out I was on the list after all, the salope I was dealing with was too lazy to look up my first name - last name wasn't there for some reason). Back to the main story...it's now close to 6:15 and the sun is slowly falling behind the Lake Elsinore mountains, so I wasn't able to get any "sunset" photos of the race trucks and buggies in action. Bummer - at least I'm in and on the track, shooting for the rest of the night. I got to say hi to Carey Hart and hang out in the RockStar VIP section with Hart & Huntington team manager Kenny Watson (photos below). Overall a pretty cool night, I went home happy thinking about what I was gonna shoot on Sunday and who I was going to talk to - I really wanted to ask Brian Deegan a few questions and also talk to Hart a little more. Sunday was gonna be exciting! Well, Sunday was anything but exciting! I decided to go to the Lake Elsinore track earlier to shoot a bunch of cool sunset photos of all the different truck and buggy classes, and to spend more time in the pits, mainly to have a little chat with Deegan about racing trucks and such, and to shoot more pics of the RockStar girls I was also meeting my friend Mark Elliott, who was shooting the race as well. So the first thing I do once I get there is meet Mark on the track, he was shooting practices sessions. That's when my day went south...one of the crew member is yelling at me and telling me to get off the track, by waving his arm and pointing towards the exit! At first I was like "oh crap I'm not supposed to walk through here while the trucks are racing around the track..." but then I quickly realized that he was kicking me off the track because I was wearing shorts instead of pants! So I tried to reason with him and explain that I didn't know about this rule, and also that I was on the track all evening the day before and absolutely no one told me I wasn't supposed to wear shorts. Well he couldn't care less and had me "escorted" off the track in one of the utility vehicles - they didn't even let me leave on foot!!! I was so mad that I went straight home, didn't stop on GO and didn't collect $200...next time I'll make sure I read ALL the rules! Actually, next time I'll just stay home...at least I can wear whatever I want at home! Here are a few teaser photos from the Lucas Oil Off Road race at Lake Elsinore below, look for more from this event on my photography site soon.
...Show more →

Mike: Thanks for sharing. That is, uhm, priceless.

Mar 18, 2010 at 12:58 PM

Steve Ickes
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #7 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Me_XMan wrote:
I agree with Lee here.

Go and volunteer for local newspaper (media org).
Shoot for free for AD or SID and you'll get it (education).

Funny. I don't see that in any of Lee's posts...hmmm

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:01 PM

skyvan
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #8 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Steve Ickes wrote:
Funny. I don't see that in any of Lee's posts...hmmm
Neither do I, I'm thinking more and more that Me_XMan has no idea what he is talking about in regards to just about anything.

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:18 PM

RCGuy
Offline
• • •
[X]

p.2 #9 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Me_XMan wrote:
I agree with Lee here.

Go and volunteer for local newspaper (media org).
Shoot for free for AD or SID and you'll get it (education).

Agreed.

That's two methods to get a legitimate credential.

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:37 PM

fotojeroen
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #10 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Well Rick I might have to concede defeat to your monster 9 page thread. I can't even get this puppy off the ground

I'm trying to help

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:37 PM

Rags Hef
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #11 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Hey Steve maybe this will get the ball rolling...

OK, so this is a thread with some guys earning a buck from the shots they sell, patting themselves on their back, because they're in this pro elite (exclusionary) class.

I get credentialed for some events and the others that I can't, I pay & hustle my equipment in.

Frankly I don't really want to be credentialed and have to work an entire multi event & take celebrity shots. You guys work too hard for the compensation you get. I'm lazy and a cherry picker. I don't want to be there for qualifying, prerun or whatever; I'm there for the main event motion (competition) and don't stay for the trophy presentation.

But that's just me.

Rags

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:41 PM

RCGuy
Offline
• • •
[X]

p.2 #12 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Rags Hef wrote:
Hey Steve maybe this will get the ball rolling...

OK, so this is a thread with some guys earning a buck from the shots they sell, patting themselves on their back, because they're in this pro elite (exclusionary) class.

I get credentialed for some events and the others that I can't, I pay & hustle my equipment in.

Frankly I don't really want to be credentialed and have to work an entire multi event & take celebrity shots. You guys work too hard for the compensation you get. I'm lazy and a cherry picker. I don't want to be...Show more →

I don't think its just you. I think alot of photogs share the same or similar experience.

Mar 18, 2010 at 01:46 PM

fotojeroen
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #13 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Frankly I don't really want to be credentialed and have to work an entire multi event & take celebrity shots. You guys work too hard for the compensation you get. I'm lazy and a cherry picker. I don't want to be there for qualifying, prerun or whatever; I'm there for the main event motion (competition) and don't stay for the trophy presentation.

Off course is the main-event the biggest thing. But think of what kind of beautifull pictures you can take in the morning light when the sun is coming up and the sky is beautiful lit with shades in all kinds of purple and orange. Nice clean peace of tarmac in front of it, a fast car flying over it in it's practice run and all the time off the world to do your stuff and make a picture that's worth a ziljon words.
Takes a lot of time, but it's worth.

It's not only about work you know, it's also about the passion for the sport and taking pictures.
Maybey it's underpaid (ok, to be honest yes it is) but I love doing it. I'm not in it for the money.

Mar 18, 2010 at 02:18 PM

Jon Uhler
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #14 · Photo Credentials. Why?

You know what I think would be a more telling thread then this one. I think it would be more informational if all the working pros here would say how they got on the side lines the first time instead of telling those who are trying to get on the sides line why they shouldn't.

I mean we all had to start somewhere. It is a catch 22. We are all told that we shouldn't be there, yet we need to be there to get portfolio shots so we can get the jobs that makes us belong there. Yes, I know...go shoot the lower level sports to get the feel and to get the port shots. But you and I both know that having pro shots in your port helps. I said helps, it doesn't always matter. In this day and age every little thing helps.

Anyway....

I got my first sideline pass because I work for Central Michigan University as an IT manager. I also shoot sports as a side job. So I do not make 100% of my income from being a photographer. So CMU came to UGA to play football. The media director from CMU did not plan on sending a photographer to cover the game, so I offered my services. I shot the game for the paper and recieved the cred in return. I shot it to get port material of college level play and they got a couple pics. I did it to build book. This in turn landed me other colleges in my local area.

My second cred came from the Army. I shot the FedEx cup with behind the ropes creds. The golf match held a clinic for disabled vets, so I traded photo services for creds to cover this clinic. The cred also allowed me behind the ropes shooting for all practice and the 1st day of open play. The military was stationed around the course so I shoot that. Once again this was to build book and to help out the Army.

Some may see this as giving away pics for free. I, as a lot of others do, think this is needed to build book. You have to have a good book to get paying gigs. These two events have helped me tremendously.

Mar 18, 2010 at 02:50 PM

Me_XMan
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #15 · Photo Credentials. Why?

skyvan wrote:
Neither do I, I'm thinking more and more that Me_XMan has no idea what he is talking about in regards to just about anything.

Mar 18, 2010 at 03:17 PM

leewoolery
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.2 #16 · Photo Credentials. Why?

Me_XMan wrote:
I agree with Lee here.

Go and volunteer for local newspaper (media org).
Shoot for free for AD or SID and you'll get it (education).

I didn't say work for free...I said credentials are for working pros...not for everybody.

...and credentials are not just for media...but exclusive events such as figure skating and gymnastics competitions, rodeos, horse shows, graduations, races...etc...may have event photographers hired to shoot for them or make images available to the contestants to purchase...in addition to media.

Much success,

Lee Woolery
Speedshot Photo

Mar 18, 2010 at 04:11 PM

iggyfenton
Offline
•
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #17 · Photo Credentials. Why?

.

Edited on Mar 16, 2011 at 05:46 PM · View previous versions

Mar 18, 2010 at 05:52 PM

Grantland
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #18 · Photo Credentials. Why?

. . . I'm thinking more and more that Me_XMan has no idea what he is talking about in regards to just about anything.

not real sure why you say this about ME_XMan (carl). he is a really great guy!

Mar 18, 2010 at 06:06 PM

RCGuy
Offline
• • •
[X]

p.2 #19 · Photo Credentials. Why?

iggyfenton wrote:
Amen Jon!

I'm not a working pro, but an aspiring amateur. I have shot sidelines at DIII football and a lot of games/events that do not require credentials.

But I WANT A CREDENTIAL!

Why do I want a credential? Because that�s the Pros!
Why do kids in high school want to play for the Yankees? To be a Pro!

It�s the goal and everyone wants a quick path to their goals. It may not be the wisest move to jump to the Pro level early, but if you can get a taste it may help you along the way.

I�ll make enemies here...Show more →

+1

Amen brotha.

Mar 18, 2010 at 06:28 PM

Rags Hef
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.2 #20 · Photo Credentials. Why?

It's starting Steve... C'mon we have 7 more pages to go in full circle....

Rags

Mar 18, 2010 at 06:33 PM

1 2 3 … 10 11 end
FM Forums \| Sports Corner \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 3 … 10 11 end