Got a press pass - now what?

[f/stopblues]

I was hired for a little side gig at the campus newspaper shooting assignments for the bi-weekly paper.. my first "paying" photo gig! I put quotes around paying because it hardly covers my materials, but then money isn't the reason I did it. I also realized quickly that I'm an anomaly for being the guy with a little fixed lens RF, a handheld meter, and <gasp> film! I'm a minority in the newspaper office, for sure.

So anyway, now I have this press pass that apparently entitles me entry into various events and the ability to shoot them. I'm not really clear on where my entitlement starts and stops. Do I have additional responsibilities as far as photo releases, etc? Any general info would help!

I asked about this and got a very brief explanation that I can "get into stuff" and that was about it.

Thanks for the help!

 

[jlw]

Your entitlement starts at whatever you can talk your way into and stops wherever the venue wants. A press pass is simply an identification that says you work for a publication -- nobody is under any obligation to give you any special privileges.

The only real clout it has is that if a venue wants publicity for something it's doing, your press pass tells them you might be able to help them make that happen. If they don't care about or don't want publicity, they are free to show you the door same as any other interloper.

If your "pass" was issued by an official agency such as the police department, it's a bit more useful -- usually only an officially-issued press ID will get any consideration at all from police officers or firefighters. But nobody is obligated to do anything for you because you've got a press ID, regardless of who issued it.

Whatever additional responsibilities you might incur are strictly between you and the publication that hired you; photos of news events typically don't require any sort of release. Many publications will want you to get the names of identifiable people in the photos (which is a nuisance) so they can include the info in cutlines. But that kind of stuff is strictly between you and your editors.

How I know this is that I've got a degree in journalism and am an ex-newspaper reporter. I had a police-issued press ID, which let me stand around the edges of fire and accident scenes without the officers chasing me away, but that's all.

 

[danwilly]

A press pass is nothing more than an ID. It is a myth that it is a key to the city. In some cases it is a hindrance. I have been on accident scenes where photogs and reporters were held back while ordinary citizens got to walk the scene unhindered. Sorry to burst your bubble.

 

[bob cole]

Got a press pass - now what?

JLW said it all...

A press pass is nowhere near as important on a news scene as your demeanor...Your attitude... Not look-at-me, not snooty, not officious...just plain businesslike -- with a job to do...

You wear the press pass prominently so that the Police, VIP's, Firefighters, Ambulance crew, Emergency workers, Undertakers or others on the scene see that You Belong...

Then you go about doing your job and respond politely to Officials who want to know who you are and what you're doing...If you're told you have to get out, you ought to get out...

[Circumstances change when you really have a press card from The Police, which you usually can't get unless you work for the local newpaper, radio or TV outlet. Then your attitude can be a little more aggressive but most Police don't exactly respond positively to aggressiveness...]

{Also, it's not something to be used to get into places that charge admission...}

 

[bmattock]

Ditto what everyone else says.

A 'press pass' or more properly, a 'media credential' is ID. It entitles you to nothing.

Some venues may choose to recognize your credential and give you media-level access to certain events - I would not expect it, and I certainly would not demand it.

Local police and emergency workers may likewise choose to recognize your media credential as proof that you are 'working press' and allow you access to crime scenes, accident scenes, and other locations to which the general public is not permitted. I would strongly advise you not to abuse such permission if it is granted - it can be taken away and the police are generally not required to give you any access at all if they don't want to.

However, having a media credential is a good thing. Use it, along with a prior request (in writing on your newspaper's letterhead stationary) to get credentialed for events you wish to (or have been assigned to) cover.

Typically, what one does for events is to contact the company representing the event you wish to cover and find out what their process is for requesting a media credential from them for their event. They will typically require a written request mailed or faxed to them on letterhead stationary from your employer, stating that you have been assigned to cover the event. The request will list your name, date and time, and what level of access you are requesting. If the company agrees, they will issue you a credential entitling you to free access. They will expect you to conduct business - not try to get free tickets to shows, etc. You're not there primarily to 'see' a show, etc - you're there to work.

Events companies need media coverage - so they want you there. But they also want to sell tickets - so they want to make sure you really are the press before opening the doors for you. Showing up with a 'press pass' doesn't usually impress anyone - they've seen them all before - and you can buy them or make them yourself, so they don't mean much by themselves.

Remember that media and private companies use each other - you use them to get access to get the photos you want. They use you to get publicity for their event. Respect them and they will respect you.

Make sure you understand who owns what rights when you cover the event. The newspaper, you, or the event people.

 

[bmattock]

If you're told you have to get out, you ought to get out...

You are so right.

http://www.nppa.org/news_and_events/news/2007/09/trial02.html

 

[Al Kaplan]

All of the above! It's your demeanor and attitude more than anything. When I worked for a paper I had a press I.D. issued by the county police. I carried it in my wallet and nobody ever asked to see it. For events it's best to get credentials issued by the organizers, and have the publication apply for it, not you. Always drop by their offices in the next few days, give out a few free prints, and thank them for their cooperation. You'll probably get some new clients, covering events for their P.R. people.

If you're covering a corporate or political event dress like the executives dress, suit and tie. The P.R. people have met enough photographers in jeans and sneakers.

 

[bmattock]

I get media credentials to events by requesting them in advance, and I have no press pass and work for no newspaper. Sometimes they say no, sometimes they say yes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wigwam/sets/72157603698281740/

 

[suzums]

Thank you for the great advice and reminder everyone!

 

[sjw617]

If a college newspaper issued it to you, it is most likely only good at college events.