BJW

A local community newspaper has asked me to photograph certain public events on an upcoming trip abroad which they will run a story on back home. They will furnish me with a letter confirming the assignment. But they advised that I should get a press pass. Is there some legitimate organization I can join to get such a pass?

Thanks.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

BJW, they're a newspaper for goodness sake. They should provide you with a press pass.
--Bob

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Press passes for events usually come from the organizers of the event. Contact them and supply a copy of the newspaper's letter.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

How does one get a 'Press Pass' ?? Earn it!!! Doubt that a 'Community' publication would carry any weight with obtaining a Press-Pass accreditation.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

Go here!

http://www.ifpo.net/application.html

docphoto Loc: Illinois

I agree with Nimbus. Try IFPO. I used them over 15 years ago when I first started to photograph sporting events which led me too NFL games etc.. It's a start but it enabled me to get my foot in the door.
After you show the events marketing person or the Press relations person your "fantastic shots of the event" that should open the door to other events. IFPO does help in getting you Press Credentials.
Although I still am a member, I haven't used them in years, however since then,over the 15 years of shooting professionally I have gotten press credentials for NFL game, College games, Army Navy games as well as other events, I received press credentials from the press office of professional events. Also press credentials for fire and police for news worthy photojournalistic events
Just get your "foot" in the door and then let your images speak for themselves. Granted, you do have to do a little "self marketing" but if your images are good and what they want it will open up doors.
Good luck !!

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

BJW why join any thing for a press pass... Easy, make your own. "INDEPENDENT PRESS" your photo. Our camera club made them several years ago and I still have mine and support it by a lanyard and black leather unit. Just hold it up like the maiden hold the cross to the vampire and it looks official and people react as tho you are a "press" representative, which you really are, tho it is free lance. I also carry a DOJ card referring to photographers rights. In essence it tells the police to back off, you are a photographer and have the right to photograph. Hands off my camera officer.

The USA DOJ issued a “letter of guidance” in which it defends the public’s right to record. click on the "letter of guidance" and it is a link to the DOJ pdf.
http://www.theblaze.com/news/2012/05/17/doj-letter-affirms-recording-on-duty-police-is-a-form-of-free-speech/
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/threatlevel/2012/05/united_states_letter_re_photography_5_14_2012_0.pdf

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Most newspapers can supply you with a press pass, it states that you shoot for them, OR the venue could/should issue you one. OR, show the venue your letter AHEAD of time to assure your passage. OR, have the paper contact the Venue. Or, stay home.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I think there is some unclarity on the concept here. There are press credentials, issued by a publication or a professional organization. They may be helpful shooting a breaking news situation with cops and such, but they don't automatically get you into an event to shoot it. You use those to get a press pass from event organizers. I have gotten press passes for events when I wasn't working for a specific publication by showing that I was a professional photographer. Other events would only give them to photographers who were working for a specific publication. Those ones from the IFPO or a camera club wouldn't have made the grade. The OP has a letter from his newspaper which should give him the best chance to get an event pass.

catshoe Loc: North Wales

What country and what events? I shoot live music for websites in the UK. You can often find on the event or artist website / facebook / twitter etc whether there is a PR agent involved, and if there is, fire them a nice email with some links. It depends on what the demand is for the event. I've worked my way up and I now shoot for what is considered a major music website, so I usually make the cut. When I shot for smaller sites or my own music blog, sometimes you'd still get a great response, sometimes they wouldn't even reply.
It's the same in the US - when I was over in the winter I wanted to shoot a band, so just found their PR contact details.
Having said that, there's lots of event stuff you can just turn up to. If it's public events, don't be underhand, but maybe just sling your camera round the back under your coat on the way in so it's not too 'in your face', then shoot away. Don't get in the way, don't be a dick, and you'll prolly be fine.

dave_roe Loc: Rome Italy

A letter from a community newspaper in the USA will not carry a lot of weight in a foreign country.

If you are coming to Italy there is little or no chance in securing a pass. The Italian press association (Federazione Nationale della Stampa Italiana - FNSI) is the only union of Italian journalists and has functioned since 1948 in accordance with Article 39 of the Italian constitution as the national council of the Italian press, in other words as a kind of guild for journalists. Only journalists registered with the FNSI receive a press pass.

Only full time journalist are given a pass, part time or freelance journalist do not qualify.

Only journalists who are members of the guild can receive a press pass. These passes have a uniform design and are recognised by the police and task forces. However, foreign press representatives with press passes from other national associations also manage to get by, even in Italy or in the United Kingdom. The freedom of journalistic expression is also a matter of course in these countries and thus a German photo reporter with a German press pass can do his job in Italy or the United Kingdom just as easily as an English journalist in England.

One final note you can toss the USA DOJ letter of guidance for photographers once outside the country. Your rights will be governed by the government of the country you are shooting in.

In Italy right now the military is on station at many of the historic sites, train, metro, various government buildings and bus terminals. They will stop you if they noticed you taking their pictures and request the shot be erased. You can refuse but you then should plan on spending a good amount of time being detained and in the end your camera and memory card(s) may very well be held.

Before you travel spend a little time in learning what your rights are for the countries you plan on visiting.

catshoe Loc: North Wales

Good answer. It's gonna depend on what country and what events. If it's UK, feel free to DM me

whitewolfowner

right on for sure. If they are not willing to give you the press pass and you don't have any experience and know how to get around it, then tell them to find another fool. Can't believe they gave you that line of bull. It is their responsibility to issue you the pass; you are working for them.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

I agree with John, press passes are usually issued by the event organizers. I am issued one every year by our local motorcycle club to shoot the AMA TT races at their track just outside Peoria at no cost, because I send them copies of my images from the previous year's races. Some larger venues, like Indycar and NASCAR, will charge you for credentials, but most do not. Contact them and show them your work, you might be surprised what they will do for you.