Hello people , i would love some advice on this, the thing is im not a photographer by profession, i work in the information systems, I have never done any photography work before, just family pictures & all , now i am planning to get a DSLR camera and i do have a few friends in the papparazzi here who can get me into celeb events so i can take a few pictures there but i would really would want to have a press card in , i dont think anyone would hire me due to my lack of experience, but there must be online newsites looking for someone like me, who can get me press passes as well ? Is this done practice ?
Would need advice on freelancing / press card
- Thread starter moron
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Press passes are only generally handed out to people who have shot stuff before which has appeared in magazines, or who are from a mag, they're pretty much against giving them out to people who are "just taking photos" with the hope they might publish them.
danny james
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Ok, there are two ways to get a press card:
1: Join the NUJ. I was a member there for years but you have to prove to them that you've had photos published in the media in order to support your application.
2: Print one yourself. Go do a google search on images for press cards - like this - and then copy one yourself in an image editing application. Print it, and then laminate it with your photo stuck in, or scan your image into the original image and print it.
You might think that it wouldn't work, but that's total rubbish. The only people who know what an official NUJ card looks like are Journalists and Police. The rest of th world is blissfully ignorant.
I've still got a made up one now that I use on occasion and nobody ever pulled me up for it yet. In fact, make yours up for a foreign publication and who would even bother to check?
In my experience, if you've got a couple of cameras shoved round your neck, a worn billingham bag, Timberland boots and faded jeans with a heavy coat, they'll assume you're a snapper anyway.
WARNING. Not everyone likes the "press". This includes some of the established Pap Snappers like Dave Bennett who'll happily run you over to get a photo.
1: Join the NUJ. I was a member there for years but you have to prove to them that you've had photos published in the media in order to support your application.
2: Print one yourself. Go do a google search on images for press cards - like this - and then copy one yourself in an image editing application. Print it, and then laminate it with your photo stuck in, or scan your image into the original image and print it.
You might think that it wouldn't work, but that's total rubbish. The only people who know what an official NUJ card looks like are Journalists and Police. The rest of th world is blissfully ignorant.
I've still got a made up one now that I use on occasion and nobody ever pulled me up for it yet. In fact, make yours up for a foreign publication and who would even bother to check?
In my experience, if you've got a couple of cameras shoved round your neck, a worn billingham bag, Timberland boots and faded jeans with a heavy coat, they'll assume you're a snapper anyway.
WARNING. Not everyone likes the "press". This includes some of the established Pap Snappers like Dave Bennett who'll happily run you over to get a photo.
Thanks for the insight danny james , I will checkup with the national union of journalists.
Although i think i should rather try my luck with some small press local/abroad who would like few pictures every month.
And you are right with the #2 no one does check really , unless its a high profile political event, usually the papparazzi here are more than welcome to come & click the images ...its actually just a question of having a card , actually thinking of IFPO as well , as no one really checks nor knows about it ..in India.
Although i think i should rather try my luck with some small press local/abroad who would like few pictures every month.
And you are right with the #2 no one does check really , unless its a high profile political event, usually the papparazzi here are more than welcome to come & click the images ...its actually just a question of having a card , actually thinking of IFPO as well , as no one really checks nor knows about it ..in India.