Football (Band/Cheerleader) Press Pass?

[peeker]

I need some advice,

I have an extreme passion for shooting football games, except my interest lies in everything surrounding the football game (Band, Cheerleaders, Color Guard, etc). Can someone point me in the direction of gaining a consistent on-field pass?

I have been through the booster clubs of each organization and they have limited influence and power to obtain on-field passes.

Your help and advice is greatly appreciated.

[jeffro20]

Befriend a coach......that's my Grapevine HS access.

[gregt1310]

I actually had good luck with the Booster Clubs. Start there. Use those folks to get you introduced to the coaches and AD's.
Once in, give a portion of the proceeds back to the Booster Club. Maybe that will give them an incentive to help you.

Good luck.

[peeker]

That's exactly the angle I'm working on Greg. I've just run into a few roadblocks so far. All of the boosters are appreciative for the photos I have taken and many parents are interested in me continuing, they just don't have an on-field pass to offer.

I have considered the photoshopped laminated "press pass", although I want to be legit and not ruin my reputation with any of the clubs this year. For the two football games I've been to this year, it didn't appear once on the field, anyone was looking for credentials.

I'm just looking for legit ways to gain access.

[CallMeAl]

It all depends on the district. Field passes for the Denton ISD are issued by the district, not the individual schools or coaches. You have to contact the district (the guy who runs the big stadium) and he will verify it with the coach of the school you are wanting to shoot. However, the field pass doesn't limit you to only their games.

Introduce yourself to the head coach, cheerleader sponsor, band director, etc. If they say thay already have someone shooting the games, approach it from the angle that it's competition...you will either out perform the others and stay in business or you won't. They all understand competition. Once you have them on your side, it will help with the person who actually issues the passes.

This is for Varsity sports. Usually, the JV and Freshmen play on the school fields and security is less than on the stadium fields. However, if you are planning on doing this for the long haul, you want to build those relationships and operate within the school/district policies which are all different. The district I shoot doesn't want any advertising/promotion at the games or on school property (not even my company name on a shirt)...only if I am approached by someone can I give my card. They don't want the atletic events turned into a market place.

Which district are you wanting to shoot?

[peeker]

PISD... So let me understand, If I approach the district and have someone in my court (cheerleader and band booster presidents, etc) and tell them that my interest in taking photos is mainly non-football activities from the field perspective, do you think this give me a specific advantage, or hurts my case.

I have talked to everyone except the football coach... It might make sense to approach the head coach of the football team, although my interest isn't necessarily shooting the game (at this point).

[CaptainTom]

talk to the band director, who usually is in touch with the football coach.
The coach is the most powerful person on the field. If you get his OK, you should be able to coast through any other hurdles they've put up.

[CallMeAl]

It helps to have someone on your side. It also helps to have a market. A friend of mine used to shoot in another DFW district and was confronted by the band booster president asking who gave him permission to shoot photos and sell them of the band kids. Thye did not want him shooting photos or selling them to parents because they had someone else shooting (a parent). Getting into an argument about being a public place was moot. All they had to do was allege his intentions were anything less than on the up and up.

It's true that the head coach has the power, but the best time to make arrangements with him is prior to the season. My brother-in-law is a head coach and once the season starts...he's all football. He only knows I'm there if he sees me after the game. He's got too much on his mind prior to and during the game. See if you can make an appointment with him during the week during the day and talk to him about it. I seriously doubt he will care as long as you stay out of the way on the sidelines.

As for the cheerleaders, get to know the sponsor and see if you can attend one of their booster club meetings to show your work and introduce yourself. That way the parents won't question who you are or what you are doing when they see you photographing the girls.

[peeker]

All good ideas... most I've tried, some I will try. As I figured, no quick solutions to get me on the track legitimately this week. I'll keep looking.

[paul cacciapaglia]

Usually the Athletic Director controls all field access. In some cases the head coach is also the AD. I would make an appointment to speak with the AD about your intentions and the backing you have from the booster clubs.

[texkam]

Scott. I spoke with a PISD representative during game 1. I can't locate his card right now. We must contact the district's athletic department (Gerald Brence is now the head man) and apply for sideline credentials (BG check etc.) in order to shoot anything. Not sure of details or any fees involved, or if they get to make the call on just who they think is worthy, but he was adamant about the district enforcing this. As he put it "we want to protect the kids". Of course some pervert can buy a ticket, sit in the stands and shoot video and stills all night long. Good luck and let the rest of us know what you find out.

[peeker]

Thanks... through several conversations this morning, I just came to the same conclusion... and getting approval is not easy, especially when the season has already started.

Bottom line from what I've learned, is that you have to have some organization endorsing you, ask permission, and hope. I have heard that they are limiting the amount of press passes given out as there are more and more amateurs trying to get on the field as well. Just makes a pro's life even more difficult.

If I find any other ideas out along the way, I'll let everyone know.

[toverman]

You might also see about any of the smaller newspapers/publications that cover Plano. If you can find someone to shoot for, that will get you a legitimate pass. Having published work could also legitimize selling images on the side – just be clear with editors that is one of your intentions. Some newspapers might be open to trading a little ad space for your supplying them images (as an editor, I never agreed to this but I've seen it done).

You might have to shoot a little football, too, of course!

[David_Janaskie]

That's exactly what I did....and it was pretty easy.

I approached the smaller area paper first..and they said they didn't need a photog. But they said to check with the bigger area paper (they cover all the area schools instead of just one). I sent them some samples on a CD with a cover letter. They called me and said "Hey! You can shoot in low light really well...do you want to shoot some football for us?" Now there wasn't really any big $$$ in it, but it's fun and I can earn a few bucks. This is up on Okla. Now whenever I plan a weekend visit up there, I'll email the editor and he'll give a game or two to shoot. It's fun.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by toverman

You might also see about any of the smaller newspapers/publications that cover Plano. If you can find someone to shoot for, that will get you a legitimate pass. Having published work could also legitimize selling images on the side – just be clear with editors that is one of your intentions. Some newspapers might be open to trading a little ad space for your supplying them images (as an editor, I never agreed to this but I've seen it done).

You might have to shoot a little football, too, of course!

[StevenGWebb]

Reading discussions like this make me really happy to be in a very small rural area. There are no fewer than 4 school districts within 12 miles. I'm recognized and known at two of them. There are no questions, no HQ's, no stadium managment; I just do what I've done since I was a student and that's show up with a camera and walk on the sideline like I own it.

There isn't really much money in HS sports. Being seen "working" by a few hundred people doesn't hurt either, its good to keep them reminded. I enjoy sport events and shoot them only for fun. If it was challenging as some of you make it sound I'd find something else to do on Friday nights.