btbg

Please don't do that. It is dishonest and it makes it harder for those with legitimate passes to do their job. In an attempt to ferret out false press passes zealous security guards sometimes stop and hassle legitimate press trying to make sure they are who they say they are.

Press passes are either event specific, or are a product of the press organization that you work for. They are not generic.

What most likely will happen is that the security will assume that you are just trying to get into the event for free and from what you are asking they would probably be right as you don't seem to have a place to have your photos published.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

If you look at the website of every event you want to shoot, There is always a heading "media".
When you click that a form opens where you fill out with the information.
They usually specify, "no freelance", so you must be with an applicable publication or news service.
Or your publication applies for you. Good luck
SS

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Contact the venue manager. Often they will have press briefings and sometimes you will be allowed to attend. If you are known in the area it helps. Press passes off the Internet won't help much, if at all. Contact the local media outlets and try exchange barter. You may need a portfolio to show. These are relationships you need to develop.

sourdough58 Loc: Maine

I just make my own, I have one in each camera bag I like the clip on type, they are somewhat beat up and are never questioned. Go to staples and get a plastic holder about 2 1/2 X 3 1/2 that you slide your info into, Press in a large font easy to see at a distance, you could include a small passport size picture with your name. I have the name of our local access tv station, it's "public" and anyone can send in pictures and info. Most cities and some towns have Public access stations.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Hard to believe you have been able to bluff your way into any very big time events with your fake pass. Events that issue their own passes probably wouldn't fall for it. I guess it doesn't bother you that it is dishonest to use the TV station's name without their permission.

dave_roe Loc: Rome Italy

There is one downside to a fake media pass at many venues. Once discovered you could be arrested for fraud, trespass or theft of services. I have seen it happen a few times in the past couple of years where someone with a made up pass got past security and then was discovered. They existed with a police escort. Now with increased security at events you are really opening yourself up for some serious grief. And over just wanting to take a few pictures.

First of all it is dishonest. If you really want to carry a valid pass get attached to a publication or news organization and find out what it takes to obtain one legally.

Many of us that do carry credentials do not look favorably on fakes. Being discovered might just come to light taking a spot of one with a valid pass trying to get a shot.

Many venues and events have their own procedures on issuing passes and even with proper credentials you still have to make an application to obtain a pass to a one event type of affair.

Many events also have strict rules on photo use and as a freelancer you might catch some added problems placing photos for publication that were taken on an unapproved pass.

ronz Loc: Florida

Magazines will send you a letter saying stating you will be covering a specific events for them, ie (PGA golf tournament) , take that to the tournament director and they will issue credentials. Big dog shows you can usually contact them directly, them who you are ( published professional photographer) and they will issue a pass. Major horse shoes, the promoter is usually the contact but the location where the show is will require you show insurance coverage and name them for protection. Sometimes they are easy to get but the bigger the event the more you need a source you are shooting for. Sometimes I tell the promoter I will supply them with some shots and it has gotten me to places where others photographers were not permitted to go. When I was shooting golf tournaments, I got many other jobs from the club because I offered a couple special shots for them to use at their club. Was even hired to do some product and promotional shots for one club, The Memorial in Ohio
It is all about making contacts and producing professional quality shots they can use.

toughmandave Loc: The Villages, Florida

Try IFPO International Freelance Photographers Organization You can find them on the internet.

Nikonman44

One contact the venue and ask.You might have to share your shots with them or have an outlet that will use them

Go to your local newspaper and agree to sting for them at local events.

Volunteer to shoot the staff and workers at some event and get some recognition as a photographer.

Best advice is the second choice, most local papers are short on photojournalist

Nikonman44

a sponsoring organization or try the promoter of the event.

Contact them, explain who you are and what your skills are and previuos events you have shot and they sometimes will get you the pass. Either Foto or Media.

Nikonman44

that is pretty sage advice.

Similar to what I added above and well worth following.

Nikonman44

that advice is worth reading twice, trust me. I have been hassled and I do carry legitimate passes to numerous events.

At Golf you have all access and outside the ropes. All access exactly what it says. outside the ropes limited access but you are legit to have cameras with you on the site.

BetterPHpro Loc: NC

Just a word. I joined IFPO several years ago. I got a membership card and that was it. Tried to contact them several times, never heard back. Tried to look them up on the internet. Couldn't find them. Finally threw away my membership card. Upside, I did find them on line just now.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

SOOO, did the card from IFPO work to get you into venue's?

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

I had heard of them before, so I looked them up on the internet, not their website but posts about them. They seem to be an organization which takes advantage of people wanting to break into photography by issuing "press passes" which are supposedly backed by a magazine of theirs which is probably phony which you can claim to be shooting for. There was a post about the NCAA and some other organizations issuing a warning not to honor their passes.