How Does a Photographer....

[steven_wolff]

How does a free lance photographer gain access to sporting events like a

basketball game? (I would guess if you worked for ESPN you are guaranteed a

spot on the floor) but what about the average joe who has a fancy camera like

the pros do... where would I start? I would like to photograph NBA players like

those by the basketball rim.

 

Any replys are appreciated. Thanks!

 

Steven W.

[Spearhead]

You need an organization to sponsor you. For NBA, that's going to be pretty difficult, since most spots are taken. Also, a lot of professional basketball shooting is done with remote controlled equipment and you will need to be able to get set up early in the day. It's not about a fancy camera, it's going to be about having all the tools and parts and remote controls to set all your stuff up. Without a major news organization behind you, it's going to be a tough job to get any kind of pass, or position should you get a pass.

 

For smaller events, you may be able to get a pass through promoters or teams.

[matt_mccarthy3]

There's an outfit called IFPO - International Freelance Photographers Organization. They

started up sometime back in the late 80's as I recall - I was briefly a member. They issued

press passes for their own publication ( for a fee, of course ). This was well before the days

of major league paranoia that we live in now, though, so I'm not certain if a credential from

them will get you anywhere anymore. I only got to use the credentials once - getting aboard

the USS Kennedy and getting my own CPO as an escort around the ship. I don't know if a

pass from IFPO carries any weight anymore, though. It wouldn't hurt to at least check them

out on the web.

[Spearhead]

IFPO credentials won't even get you into a neighborhood birthday party. It never would get you into a closed event. Credentials at sports events are highly controlled, even for small events I have been questioned heavily since I don't work for any major publications.

[matt_mccarthy3]

I thought that was the case. Except for the time I got on the Kennedy, they were pretty

useless ( that was in 1990 ). I let the "membership" expire.

[randmcnatt]

It's been a few years, but I went to an NBA game with a non-profit group who were going to entertain for a few seconds at halftime. That got me credentials, but I was required to sit apart from the group until they got on-court, and the only available spot was under one of the baskets (!) jammed in among all those AP and UPI and Sports Illustrated guys. I shot 10 frames of the group, and 10 rolls of the game.

 

Anyway, you might try getting a gig - probably gratis - with a cheerleading or marching squad or such who are going to a game and see if that will get you a courtside pass.

[scot]

Lower your sights a bit. The NBA is going to be difficult to crack, but what's wrong with college games? Even high school?

 

--scot

[zackojones]

Scot has a good suggestion with starting with high schools which is what I'm doing. It helps having a child that's an athlete but that's not required. Contact the Athletic Director at the school and see if you can attend a practice session and shoot. You may find this type of photography isn't your cup of tea.

 

Other possiblity which is also at the high school level is to check for any web sites that cover sports for your region/state. maxpreps.com (I think that's the site) is always looks for freelance photographers.

 

Good Luck!

[russblaise]

Jeff is correct, and you need what is called "a letter of assignment" form a publication that

the NBA has an agreement with. I shot the the Tampa Bay Bucs (NFL) back in the 80's. If it

works the same way you'll get a set of credentials for the season, that will get you through

the press gate, then you have to go to the press room and pickup a different credential to get

you on the sideline or in your case the floor. And there is a limit to how many credentials are

given at at a game. So they get pretty picky.