Press / Media Passes to events

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Simon
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Dont know if this is where to start this but thought I would try......

Does anybody know how to get hold of Media / Press passes to events........

What you need to go through to get them and if there are any specific exams/courses you have to take first.....

P.S. I am lucky enough to already work for a media publication company........but was wondering if it was easier to get them rather than grovel to journo's
 
Apply to the organiser citing your publication/organisation - usually this is arranged by the Press Office at an event, but you will need accreditation as a bona-fide journalist or prove that you work for a recognised publication.
 
unless you are an accredited professional photographer and or have the backing of a accredited/Recognised Media outlet you will find it nigh on impossible. They are called Media/Press Pass for a reason. Have a search through the forum there are numerous threads discussing exactly the same scenario and the problems associated with them.

If and its a BIG if you get a pass you will need P.I and P.L insurance of a minimum of £2,000,000 and probably £5,000,000

Thanks

Andy
 
"events" ? you probably need to define events for the answer you need :) Seriously there are a lot of things that could be defined as an event.
 
Kipax makes a very good point.

1) We have a village carnival with street parade, which the local council defines as one of the major events of the year, but you'll not need a pass for that.

2) If you shoot for yourself or freelance without a client then you will not need product liability insurance, unless you going to sue yourself for taking crap photos. I have a growing collection of passes and have never been ask if I have public liability insurance, so is it worth having, probably, but not a must for all events (see 1.)

3) What do you really want. I regularly do an event where I want to take shoots of performers on stage from the pit (photo accreditation) Now the same event holds a press launch the day before where there are speeches to thank all the sponsors and tell you what the event is all about ( Press Pass) They did put on a great buffet and free drink last for this part last year ;)


So if you want to do the state opening of parliament then forget it, but something a little more local and smaller, just write the the publicity department of the event, at the end of the day you can't be worse of than you are now.
 
Sorry but if anyone is out and about amongst the public as a freelancer then public liability cover is a must IMHO .. not having it is like drivging your car wiht no insurance... (without the legalities)
 
KIPAX said:
Sorry but if anyone is out and about amongst the public as a freelancer then public liability cover is a must IMHO .. not having it is like drivging your car wiht no insurance... (without the legalities)
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Agree totally.. When your lightstand falls over and brains someone or knocks a ming vase onto the floor then you better have PL.

You're unlikely to be asked for it in most situations but don't think that means it doesn't matter.... it really matters if you **** up. Luckily never had to think about mine, it just sits in the background protecting me :)
 
Agree totally.. When your lightstand falls over and brains someone or knocks a ming vase onto the floor then you better have PL.

You're unlikely to be asked for it in most situations but don't think that means it doesn't matter.... it really matters if you **** up. Luckily never had to think about mine, it just sits in the background protecting me
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+1
 
TheBionicDan said:
Agree totally.. When your lightstand falls over and brains someone or knocks a ming vase onto the floor then you better have PL.

You're unlikely to be asked for it in most situations but don't think that means it doesn't matter.... it really matters if you **** up. Luckily never had to think about mine, it just sits in the background protecting me :)
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+2
 
TheBionicDan said:
Agree totally.. When your lightstand falls over and brains someone or knocks a ming vase onto the floor then you better have PL.

You're unlikely to be asked for it in most situations but don't think that means it doesn't matter.... it really matters if you **** up. Luckily never had to think about mine, it just sits in the background protecting me :)
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Just out of interest would this not apply to anyone lugging a camera about who happened to knock over the vase? Whats to stop someone saying 'I'm just a hobbyist' as my obvious reply would be 'Well you still owe me 50 grand sunshine so I hope your hobby pays well'. ;)

Same goes for bashing someone over the head I guess (by accident of course).
 
Because in this scenario we are taking about someone there in an official capacity. If its just Joe Public who knocks over the ming vase (which has happened in the past few years) then the Insurance of the location should cover it.

The differentiation lies with the fact the the photographer is presumably providing a professional service with some form of agreement to this effect with the event planners and therefore is LIABLE for any damage to property caused by himself or his equipment
 
Ahh ok sorry mate.:bonk:

I guess it would depend on the people responsible for the event having suspicions about wether the photographer is telling the truth and the morals of the photographer

Andy
 
Would the event organiser not have to had stipulated that the photographer would be liable as part of the pass agreement.

As a freelancer, the photographer would not be providing a service as such, they are hoping to sell the images, but there would be no contract in place.

I would think it would all come down to the wording of the pass agreement, I have asked for them in the past and they have just handed them out basically to whom ever has asked, yet at other event they have come with a list of terms and conditions.

I'm sure most of us have had verbal passes "hey mate can I take photos of your village cricket game" "Yea sure go ahead" we don't then assume liability, just because we have permission to shoot and IMHO the same is with official passes, I think it would have to be made part of the T&Cs to hold up in court.


Your still better having insurance, but just not sure it's an absolute must.
 
Here's my 2p....
Contacting the organisers could get great results such as access to non-public areas or free tickets. I've been on the other side of this fence for a medium sized music festival. If you are accredited press then life is straightforward; even if you are not it is still worth applying as you still stand a chance. The key is to realise that the festival will be asking two important questions.
1) What's the deal? For example, offer your images for use by the festival website and festival publicity providing you get a suitable credit, we watermark our festivals images with the photographers name and their website. You should also get agreement in advance that other uses of the images will be separately negotiated, this will be fine with the organisers but it needs to be said up-front.
2) Are you any good? This is important!!!! Your email needs to include links to comparable examples of your work. If these are cracking images that the festival might like of their own festival then they will almost certainly be back in touch with you! Getting this gallery probably means a reccy trip or two to similar events before making any approaches.
 
whiteflyer said:
Your still better having insurance, but just not sure it's an absolute must.
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I think your confusing "must I" with "should I".. yes you can get to an event without needing public liability cover.. but if at that event you poke someones eye out and a claim is made aginast you for half a million quid... do you ahve that in your bank account going spare ??

public liability is there to protect you as much as the general public and any freelancer covering organised events without it is taking a risk...

I think your offering very very BAD advice in this thread regarding public liability cover.... sorry but I do :)
 
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