Press Card

[Steve_ref]

Not sure if this is right section.
I am a keen photographer and wonder how easy is it to get a Press Card, so that I can get back stage at gigs to photograph bands/artists. Can anyone help?

[Whickerman]

A mate of mine got a by-line in the local free press, then a column or two in the (very) local newspaper. That allows him to use their name and he's interviewed dozens of acts. You just need the balls to ask!

[andy-hughes]

It depends on the size of the band concerned.

At the top end, you need advance acreditation from the record company or management, but a good way to start is to make friends with your local venue manager, and snap anything that comes through. This will get you some experience, and you can start offering to do shoots for bands. The law of averages says that sooner or later a new band will break, and if you have good shots, you can start syndicating them.

If you are easy to work with, professional, and reliable, work will come in, so be persistant, but don;t imagine you can turn up on the day and ask to go back stage.

Check out with the NME, Kerrrang! and similar, and offershots from the gigs you do - it's a good way in. Be persistant, but not obnoxious - if you are good, you will getr work eventually.

Good luck!

[Steve_ref]

Thanks Andy.

Looks like I've got some standing about and writing e-mails to do.
I've photographed one band, Think Floyd, when they were at Lyme Regis (and their backing singer, Jill Marie Cooper), but I had already asked prior to going to gig.
(www.flickr.com/photos/mrsony).

Steve