How do freelance photographers and journalists identify themselves?

October 8, 2006 6:15 PM

What do freelance photographers or journalists use to identify themselves as such?

How do freelancers prove they are what they are when questioned by law enforcement or just citizens. Is there some sort of credential one should obtain?

posted by KneeDeep to work & money (16 comments total)

photojournalists usually have their press ID's or passes. Regular folk probably don't so usually it's "Hi, I'm a photographer." I guess it depends on the situation and their attitude. Are they being honest until proven otherwise or are they lying until they can prove they really are photographers?
posted by eatcake at 7:02 PM on October 8, 2006

Most freelance journalists secure jobs before doing the work. In other words, you wouldn't go out and cover a story and then try to sell it to a news organization. After getting hired to cover the story, the publication will typically provide you with what you need to cover it, which in many cases includes press clearance.

Many journalists also carry their SPJ cards.

Typically, a press pass is far more important for photogs than it is for writers, though, since the carry around of a bunch of camera equiptment makes you stand out.
posted by Brittanie at 7:07 PM on October 8, 2006

If you're talking about showing ID at a crime or accident scene, you really need to have an ID from the local city/county.

Here's a link to the LAPD Press Pass policy.
posted by seymour.skinner at 7:21 PM on October 8, 2006

Brittanie - not true. Most freelancers I know who cover news or newsworthy events just show up and start shooting. When I covered the last RNC I was surrounded by freelancers and many of them were working on spec.

Furthermore, gone are the days of official accreditation. I work for a large publication in FL and I have no official accreditation issued by law enforcement whatsoever. Your first amendment rights allow you, me or any member of the public to "cover" any darn thing you wish as long as you respect the crime scene.
posted by photoslob at 7:52 PM on October 8, 2006

Here's a downloadable pdf that you can print and carry with you that details your rights as a citizen should you be confronted for "committing" photography.
posted by photoslob at 7:57 PM on October 8, 2006 [1 favorite]

In my haste to post I should have said "Your first amendment rights allow you, me or any member of the public to "cover" any darn thing on public property you wish as long as you respect the crime scene.
posted by photoslob at 8:03 PM on October 8, 2006

At the May First rally here in Chicago I wanted to get behind the gates and on the stage. I'm an amateur photographer, but not a freelancer as such.

I wore two semi-professional Nikons around my neck (D50 and F100 for you gearheads) and walked around like I owned the place. Cops opened locked areas for me, politicians allowed me to snap away at will, and I climbed around on stage with all the pros.

Because I looked and acted like it was my business to be there, it was my business to be there. I got some second glances from some of the photographers who'd never seen me before (I've a feeling it's a fairly tight group here in Chicago) but not a single person questioned me.

A press pass is nothing more than a piece of paper - you have a right to be anywhere you want to be.
posted by aladfar at 8:08 PM on October 8, 2006

Note I didn't say that having a press pass or credentials makes it your right to attend to coverage of an event. The question was how do freelancers identify themselves as such. The answer is the same as any job that requires having an ID. Your ID identifies you as an employee.

The ID does not get you anything special or cause anyone to have any more respect for you. It simply states that you are a professional working for a particular organization.

All the above are correct, though — as long as you are on public property and are not interfearing with an investigation or rescue, you have every right to be there, take photos, film movies, write about what you saw later. The events in which press passes come in handy take place on private property — for example, shooting a concert or covering a fundraiser.

P.S. My experience in this matter is as a journalist, not a photog.
posted by Brittanie at 9:36 PM on October 8, 2006

Business cards? I recently worked with a freelance photographer who gave out business cards to everyone she photographed. In the US you don't really need to prove you're "committing journalism," though being accredited at certain events can help. If you're freelancing a planned event, you can register as a journalist, I'd think.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 9:42 PM on October 8, 2006

I'm in Australia. From what I've seen here, it's a combination of:
>ID from the publication you're working for. Depending on how frequently you work for them, you might have photo ID; more likely for photographers than journalists, in my experience.
>Photo ID from the MEAA. I've used this a few times to show to cops and officials when I've had nothing from where I've been working.
>A media pass for the event you're covering.
>The photographer's ID/accreditation. ('She's with me.')
>Business cards.
posted by t0astie at 11:08 PM on October 8, 2006

Yeah, union or guild cards are often the thing. Here in the UK I use my NUJ card whether I'm freelancing or not.

My card has a number on the back and I have a password that can be used to authenticate it. If you're covering a press conference at a government department, sometimes they won't let you onto its property without verifying the password.
posted by randomination at 1:44 AM on October 9, 2006

From experience, it's about dotting the i's for security bods (in most situations) - while it may be your god given right to cover whatever you want (may be a spurious link), try explaining that to some guy whose responsibility it is to limit access or be in control of an event, and whose levels of literacy are of primordial insignificance - you're going to have fewer problems with an 'official looking' ID than spruiking your first amendment rights (?.. I'm in Australia where no such thing exists - and even it did, would be laughed at).

There will be an organisation - depending on where in the world you are - that will provide press credentials for a nominal fee pdf link (usually you'll need to cough up and become a member to get it - but you'll be probably be supporting a good cause).

Alternatively, you can dispense with all of this and turn to the myriad and free graphics programs, and cheap print houses to create your very own piece of officialdom - it will give you the same degree of access that the MEAA pass will achieve (and in Paris provide you free access to all galleries and exhibitions - including the Pompidou!) - just make sure it is a Photo ID.

Where it won't work is organised events, where press credentials require sanction of a magazine/newspaper, et cetera - if you're planning on doing this kind of thing, maybe set yourself up a small company and get a website - contact the event organisers and say that you intend to promote it and you'll more than likely find the more complicated access barriers will be more easily dealt with (depending on the gig).
posted by strawberryviagra at 4:11 AM on October 9, 2006

Hey strawberryviagra, seriously, the MEAA pass will get me free stuff in Paris?! Awesome!!! Dollars well spent.
posted by t0astie at 4:31 AM on October 9, 2006

Absolutement!

But like I said, you can print your own and as long as it has a photo ID, it will have the same magical powers
posted by strawberryviagra at 5:34 AM on October 9, 2006

It depends on the city/event. Some cities such as NYC have very strict policies and you must be registered with the city to be able to photograph professiuonally at any public events or even on the streets at all.

Organized events usually are cleared in advance through the newspaper or publication with the PR staff organizing the event. In many cases a specific pass is made available to the photographer for that event to show at the door.

Freelancers are better off working under the umbrella of an organization for larger events for which access is more difficult. Typically they can go through their sources and get a letter for identification purposes. This may not hold too much water but with an identification letter, at least the authorities can do a quick call to someone to verify who you are. It depends on the event but regardless you are better off getting all permissions well in advance instead of just showing up with a camera around your neck and a stupid grin.
posted by JJ86 at 6:27 AM on October 9, 2006

Have MEAA card, but oh, the temptation to make myself something from The Daily Beast (just for free museums, natch) is strong.
posted by t0astie at 5:29 PM on October 9, 2006