How to obtain a press/photo pass

x-no-archive: yes
Maybe it will, but probably it won't. IFPO has no barriers to entry.
Anyone that pays their "dues" can get their "press credentials." It is
somewhat analogous to diploma mills--I get spam every week inviting me to
send in for a "University Diploma" and promising that my career will
skyrocket, etc.

What school issues this diploma, "Cowabunga University?"

If someone wants to *appear* to be a professional press photographer, he/she
can go for the IFPO stuff. If, on the other hand, one really wants to *be*
a news photographer, then get a real position with a real publication, and
you'll obtain real press credentials that will be recognized as such by real
law enforcement organizations.

I think that the only people that are fooled by the IFPO press kits are the
people that buy them.

 

To whom it may concern,

This is what I have to say about the IFPO press program as a member:
That it does work, it gets me into just about any news/photo worthy
situation that I have tried to use it in.
And when I first responded to their ad years ago, they sent me an employment
application,
that I needed to fill out listing any typical application information (name,
address, etc)
As well as photography related experience, (schools, jobs, assignments,
etc.. )

So they do work, also when their is a newsworthy event happening in your
area,
that they want photos of. They will contact you, requesting that you cover
it for them.
As they have with me in the past.

The critics of IFPO can say what they want, it is a free country.

I am just speaking from my own personal experiences with them, it has all
been good.
Despite the "processing fee" for the materials/credentials.

In any case, I tried to obtain work at news publications (papers,
magazines..)
And they would all tell me to come back when I had a newsworthy portfolio.
It is a catch 22, you need a port to get such a job, but you need
credentials to put together a decent port.
In order to get such a job to get better credentials.
Or a very long lens to shoot events from the outside boundaries of the
event, in order to still get decent shots.
You have to start somewhere.

Hope this helps, Please feel free to email me any time you have questions
about IFPO,
I would be happy to answer them.

Have a good day,

Jay.
www.photosbyjay.com