Australian Media Pass

[melissa_is_hiding]

Hey all!

Just wondering how I would be able to obtain a media pass for photography (particuarly for concerts/festivals)?

Is there one place you can apply for one or do you have to register with each event separately?

Thanks,
Mel =D

[Geoff]

Hey all!

Just wondering how I would be able to obtain a media pass for photography (particuarly for concerts/festivals)?

Is there one place you can apply for one or do you have to register with each event separately?

Thanks,
Mel =D

Welcome to the forum Melissa.
Firstly, please read the FAQ as you're a new member. We require that you put in a MEANINGFUL location in your profile.

Your question is an interesting one, and one that I'm not 100% sure of, but I have no doubt that many of our members will be able to answer it. I would have thought you need to be representing someone or something (other than yourself) to gain media photography access to events. I don't THINK there is a generic one pass fits all, but I could be wrong.

Again, welcome to the forum..enjoy your stay!

[Yi-P]

I believe different event(s) have different restrictions.

Top events will only allow photographers from allocated/assigned media groups.

Some require you to be representative of some media body or have published work in the well known papers/media.

Some just require you to send the organisers an email proving you are right for the job and whist giving up selling rights to them only. That means you cannot use the photograph for commercial purpose, but they will credit your name (hopefully).

For charity and community events, it is simply walking in and talking to the organiser in a polite way.

And all of above is about knowing the person who is in charge.

[wendellt]

if your starting out and tryig to build your book
usually Public relations people in charge of these festivals would be a little generous in granting you access
for every concert there is a website and from there you can get the PR details and enquire.
at first you wont get into every event that you fantocy but its a numbers game just keep on trying

some pr companies are quite protective to protect aligned photographers and some just dont care, trick is to get into whatever you can and then slowly build up your credentials and one day you can be represented by a magazine, website or media organisation, which will then in turn give you the credentials you need to do what you want to do.

[Matt. K]

Go to Microsoft Word for Windows. Create a new 2 page edition of whatever you are interested in. Give it a name...IE...The Canary weekly...or...Bluegrass News. You don't have to have it published. Now go to Photoshop and design yourself a media pass. Invent some text such as BlueGrass News media Photographer. Add your name and your photograph. Laminate it and hang it around your neck on a sexy strap. You now have a bonafide and legal media pass. It's that simple! Some events will accept it and some won't but that goes for any media pass.

[aim54x]

Go to Microsoft Word for Windows. Create a new 2 page edition of whatever you are interested in. Give it a name...IE...The Canary weekly...or...Bluegrass News. You don't have to have it published. Now go to Photoshop and design yourself a media pass. Invent some text such as BlueGrass News media Photographer. Add your name and your photograph. Laminate it and hang it around your neck on a sexy strap. You now have a bonafide and legal media pass. It's that simple! Some events will accept it and some won't but that goes for any media pass.

Great idea Matt!!! Maybe we can make a forum one for everyone here to use.

[gstark]

Go to Microsoft Word for Windows. Create a new 2 page edition of whatever you are interested in. Give it a name...IE...The Canary weekly...or...Bluegrass News. You don't have to have it published. Now go to Photoshop and design yourself a media pass. Invent some text such as BlueGrass News media Photographer. Add your name and your photograph. Laminate it and hang it around your neck on a sexy strap. You now have a bonafide and legal media pass. It's that simple! Some events will accept it and some won't but that goes for any media pass.

Great idea Matt!!! Maybe we can make a forum one for everyone here to use.

Been there. Done that.

Got the media pass. About three years ago.

[moz]

I have a few of those now... I'm surprised at how well the photo show pass from a few years ago works - it just has my name (no photo) and "professional" in big letters. I also have an indymedia pass with photo and that has got me into some interesting places (often ones that are about to be the scene of a protest )

Wendall is on the money if you're talking career stuff though - just be aware that there will be other people there with cameras who shoot straight to Flickr regardless of permission and you're competing with that.

[melissa_is_hiding]

Thanks all,

Will look into buying a laminator and lanyard.. lol

I'll let you know if I have any success!

Mel

[aim54x]

I think I will have to consider doing the same.

[foonji]

Its hard to make a buck at music festivals unless you get that one off photo and only you have it.

It a sad world, but promotors who organise such events are scum who make grand amounts from these events but will extract the most out of everyone for little dollars... they would rather give some random wannabe a ticket (as that cost them nothing) to the event for their attendance and photos and soo many people do it and it has devalued the photo scene at music festivals greatly.. and in the event that a promotor does want to pay you, they will want it dirt cheap.

Places such as inthemix.com.au, fasterlouder.com.au, getanightlife.com.au, Free Street Magazines, etc (there are soo many of these sites) all get free images from their "contributors" because they give them free entry to the event. Not only do they get your images, but in their terms you give them all the rights to use them and make all the money!

</end rant>

[moz]

Will look into buying a laminator and lanyard

Buy? How many passes do you need?

There's bound to be a shop locally that will laminate one for you for a couple of bucks. Take along a$ worth of them because often that's the sleeve size they have - don't be afraid to make a couple of different ones. passport photos are likewise cheap.