I go to quite a few events and obviously take a lot of pictures, the problem is Shutterstock don't seem to want to accept them without a press ticket, presumably acquired from the organizers?

Why would the organizers grant me a ticket, when there seems to be plenty of photographers willing to give their work away?

Do I really need a ticket if the event is on public property, roads, public parks etc ?

Are you submitting as Editorial...if so without seeing the pictures maybe not. In the end though its up to Shutterstock whatever the legal position.

Quote from: umdash9 on July 10, 2016, 05:57

I go to quite a few events and obviously take a lot of pictures, the problem is Shutterstock don't seem to want to accept them without a press ticket, presumably acquired from the organizers?

Why would the organizers grant me a ticket, when there seems to be plenty of photographers willing to give their work away?

Do I really need a ticket if the event is on public property, roads, public parks etc ?

Are you submitting as Editorial...if so without seeing the pictures maybe not. In the end though its up to Shutterstock whatever the legal position.

Yes should have said I always submit as editorial.

I read somewhere that if you need a ticket for event you can't sell photos unless you have photo pass or press ticket or how it is called, but if event is free to enter (I think there is difference between free with ticket and free without ticket) you can shoot and sell pictures with no problems. So if SS is not sure is event free they probably won't accept picture.
Try with telling them that it was free to enter event or try with getting that press ticket.

 i am not sure if it has to do with ticketed event or privacy etc...
paparazzi shoot from everywhere; even with extreme tele lens into private compounds
and private homes,etc and sell their images regardless.

with ss, you can add free open air woodstock event and still get reject for no press ticket.
it's just ss being a little more cautious. the other sites don't ask for press ticket.

Last week I sended 2 pics, one from Jean Michel Jarre and other from one of their musicians in an open free event. Images was taken hours before the event in the public square were was the event. Well, pic with Jean Michel Jarre was accepted, pic with their musician not. They ask me for press pass. Resubmit?


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Well most of paparazzi take their photos on the street or from the street, and sometimes I'm not sure how legal it is, at least I hope it is not legal to take photos of people in their homes or other closed events.
Anyway stock agencies probably care more about the way someone got pictures then yellow papers. And that think about tickets I think I read somewhere on old iStock forum, I'm not sure. And for me it makes sense, since if anybody could take pictures from ticketed events why would people spend a lot of money to get ticket passes for some events.

My advice is to send an email to organizer of event with permission to use photos for sale. I also heard somewhere that it should be enough.

yes, you may be right about those "yellow papers|"
and also emailing organizers of event. some will still ignore you when you mention you work as a stringer for the press, esp the bigger events that are well covered.
you are also correct to say most bigger events already have their own press coverage
so it is not a niche you want to get into.

Last week I sended 2 pics, one from Jean Michel Jarre and other from one of their musicians in an open free event. Images was taken hours before the event in the public square were was the event. Well, pic with Jean Michel Jarre was accepted, pic with their musician not. They ask me for press pass. Resubmit?


Enviado desde mi iPhone utilizando Tapatalk

yes

I go to quite a few events and obviously take a lot of pictures, the problem is Shutterstock don't seem to want to accept them without a press ticket, presumably acquired from the organizers?

Why would the organizers grant me a ticket, when there seems to be plenty of photographers willing to give their work away?

Do I really need a ticket if the event is on public property, roads, public parks etc ?

something else to let you know,
most events already have their own proprietary press and distribution with these elites.
so even if you do get ss to allow you to submit, you won't get rich with these shots.

one way to get around it is to shoot human interest at that event.
ie. skip the grandprix, tennis, dirt bike race, greyhound, stampede, giant trucks,etc
and shoot dad and mom and kids having fun .

these will not require press releases and won't get stopped at the curator stage for credentials.
and guess what? they actually sell because they are generic for all festivals.

human interest is global appeal, whereas say, the actual paid event are not only restricted
they are also well-distributed by their own press and usually won't need us to deliver those shots.