Author Topic: Selling News Images (Read 6292 times)

Freezingpictures · « **on:** August 28, 2007, 03:43 »

Did anyone has experience in selling news images? I might be able to be on a real big event which will be probably in all big news papers arround the world. I plan to take my camera with me

But however I am not sure yet where to sell those gigabytes of images I hopefully will shoot.
I need to get akkredited as a press photographer. I can go there without being it, but the akkreditation would open a few more doors.
There are two possible ways:
1. a letter of confirmation signed by the chief editor
2. a copy of a valid press card

I do not know yet how to get one of these except one of you guys is by coincidence a chief editor and needs images. I do not want to do the deal with the Shutterstock press pass, because of the exclusivity. Any other ideas?

Oh and for those who are interested and are by accident in Frankfurt, Germany. It is the IAA. I think the biggest international motor show. www.iaa.de.

Peter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2007, 04:04 »

I have sold only 1 news image:

http://www.fotolia.com/id/3393705

To local newspaper, that was a big flame that I recorded in 3 a.m. From my window. That was 6 months ago.

Never sold it on fotolia

massman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2007, 04:15 »

I haven't taken any news worthy photos, however, I have registered here http://www.scoopt.com/ so when the opportunity arises I can submit quickly. It's worth checking out.

epixx · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2007, 05:45 »

I don't know about Frankfurt, but at most international car exhibitions, there are zillions of photographers. I suppose that goes for Frankfurt as well. That doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be able to sell any, but the competition is hard.

The important thing is to have a sales channel ready before you go there. The news agencies obviously have their own, accredited photographers there, which means you need to have some really unique photos to get them in there. The alternative is places like Alamy, but even at Shutterstock, you can sell quite a number of editorial photos, also from car exhibitions.

sharply_done · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2007, 06:44 »

The easiest way to get a pass might be to approach a small local newspaper with the proposal of providing them with free (non-exclusive) images in exchange for the pass. I'm assuming that the pass will allow you in before and after the crowds, and provide access to "backstage" stuff as well.

... good luck!

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2007, 08:38 »

Thank you I will consider this. Lots of photographers like 7000 or so. They have special press days, the 11th and 12th of September. It is much better then, even if you are not interested in the press conferences, you can take images of cars without having to deal with people between you and the car I suppose. On the normal days it will totally be crowded. I will try to sell them on Alamy and SS. Maybe also other agencies, but am not sure which ones. Maybe I will try scoopt.

wysiwyg_foto · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2007, 09:00 »

I would contact the event organizer and tell them you are a freelance photographer. If any passes are available for this purpose, they may issue you one directly.

As far as selling images - this would more than likely be for editorial use only but I do have some that sell as commercial images (naturally cloning out identifying marks and such).

Good luck! Have fun!

sharply_done · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2007, 10:06 »

Quote from: wysiwyg_foto on August 28, 2007, 09:00

I would contact the event organizer and tell them you are a freelance photographer. If any passes are available for this purpose, they may issue you one directly.

Speaking from experience, this approach won't work with anything but trivial events - that's why SS created their "red carpet" program, so that freelancers (and thus SS) would have an "in".

wysiwyg_foto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2007, 11:59 »

My experience has been different than yours Sharply. I often refer them to some images or provide a CV with what I have done in the past if they request it so they know I'm not wasting their time. Sometimes you have to compromise and provide free images (and you have to review the contract for any one-sided deals) but it is possible.

You also have to realize that many times, the passes are allocated - only so many go to local media, so many go to national media, so many go to freelancers (usually the fewest going to freelancers) but if you say you are working with an agent or a media outlet, it opens more doors.

There's no reason why a freelance photojournalist cannot keep himself/herself busy on a daily basis by not working with a newspaper.

JC-SL · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2007, 07:34 »

I'm going with sharply_done on this one... a car show as big as that doesn't care about freelancers or local papers. It'll be a waste of your time chasing up. If they let you in with your camera... great, take advantage of it. I spent 10 years photographing at these events for Subaru and found the media days the worst days for shooting. Find a day in the middle (not weekends!) of the show...be there when the doors open ...or better... be there on the last night...I've always found them to be the least crowded and easiest to shoot.

Enjoy it if nothing else... cheers.

avant-g · « **Reply #10 on:** November 06, 2007, 04:42 »

You could try Entertainment Press. I am the founder and I started in microstock and have moved to editorial Celebrity, doing very well. I have been licensing my images through a London based agency, but have now set up EP. Would like to find microstock photographers to contribute, because the standard of photography is very high.

I am in BETA for about one month testing uploads, and syndication methods. But photographers can sign up know to upload their achieve, before we go live.

Commission is on a rising scale starting at 50% up to 80%. I will provide accreditation for you to attend events and as things move forward I will be emailing out a weekly diary of events to cover.

To sign up go to: newbielink:http://clik.to/entertainmentpress [nonactive]

After BETA the site will transfer to its dedicated domain.

Then register from the Login link (there is no contract at this stage). I will email the user agreement to you, if you are then happy I will activate your account and you can then upload into your personal folder, admin will then approve, approve, publish and syndicate.

Cheers

Ross