 BetterPhoto Member |
International Freelance Photographers Organization Is it worth getting the $100 gold press blah blah?
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Ric |
Edgar; IFPO has to be one of the WORST organizations. I am a life time idiot, who forked over my hard earned cash, and have been kicking myself ever since. Try your best to get hired as a stringer for a local paper, let them know what you'll need a credential for and most likely you will get where you want to go. Also, get yourself a website like the one at BetterPhoto.com Good luck and use that 100 on something else.
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Inge Riis |
Thank you. I was looking for the answer to that question. The various websites referring to it looked suspicious enough that I went looking for recommendations.
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j lucius estes |
I concur with what has already been said. I have had occasions that the press pass has come in handy though. True for the most part it is a money making situation for them but there are useful tools that they offer at moderate prices. When first starting out I got their package of releases, then their press passes and they have helped me in getting into affairs that require a written request for entrance to the press section. For freelance purposes they do offer some help but for the most part are out to make money for them selves which there is nothing wrong with that. Their magazine comes out quarterly and does have some helpful hintsm, contests, etc. Anyone with any salt in their blood may offer freebies from time to time but we are all in this to make money. IFPO can not just give things away. I knowt that when I first joined it was more directed to the photographer but has been commercialized somewhat over the years. I take exception to some of their offerings but all in all it is not that bad of an organization. PPA, PSA and SPS, Student Photographic Society, WPA, Wedding Photographers of America and simular organizations are better but IFPO is a start. I would advise that if an offer seems to good to be true, it is. Good luck in your enterprise and be safe. J Lucius Estes Lou's Freelance Photography Westport, WA
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KrisKat Nelson |
While I am not a member of IFPO it seems to me that the entire purpose of the organization is to allow freelancers the opportunity to get press credentials. Period. They give you a press pass and they publish a magazine, therefore they are a media outlet, which backs up the press pass. That's it. They are not there to teach you how to be a photographer or how to get assignments. Only to put a press pass in your hands. What you do with that is up to you, and how well it works is also up to you. I do a lot of assigments where security likes to see something official looking, they are not going to check and see what kind of organization is behind it. Also the letter of assignment can mean the difference between getting in and not getting in.
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Ray Landolfi |
I have been a member for 2 years now. I have used my press pass to gain access to a few events where I otherwise would not have been allowed to enter. Just pulling into a parking lot with their press pass in my windshield I was directed to preferred parking...that alone has saved me alot of time and trouble over these past 2 years. While photographing a balloon festival just weeks aftre 9-11 in N.Y. I was one of the very few allowed to shoot from the top of the airports control tower during lift off.... In the end it depends on how you carry yourself. They give you a tool for your money...How you use that tool says alot. If your looking for the golden ticket into Willy Wonkers Wonderland...This is not it.... If you are looking for an easy to get pass and a publication that will send you a simple assignment letter that can be verified then its worth the few bucks is my opinion. Happy Shooting
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Ray Landolfi |
I have been a member for 2 years now. I have used my press pass to gain access to a few events where I otherwise would not have been allowed to enter. Just pulling into a parking lot with their press pass in my windshield I was directed to preferred parking...that alone has saved me alot of time and trouble over these past 2 years. While photographing a balloon festival just weeks aftre 9-11 in N.Y. I was one of the very few allowed to shoot from the top of the airports control tower during lift off.... In the end it depends on how you carry yourself. They give you a tool for your money...How you use that tool says alot. If your looking for the golden ticket into Willy Wonkers Wonderland...This is not it.... If you are looking for an easy to get pass and a publication that will send you a simple assignment letter that can be verified then its worth the few bucks is my opinion. Happy Shooting
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Istvan Fancsali |
All I am going to write is TRUE...originally I am from Romania but, now I live in USA. I have looked over the adds on this website and I understand the disappointments of some you....but in some cases I want to say that it may be your mistake but knowing how to approach the moment and the places where you are wanting to do the photography. I have been member with them for about 4 years...I have got 3 different credentials from them (freelance, nature and sport)...I don't have the PRESS CREDENTIAL... ..and listen...they have been very usefully. OF COURSE THEY ARE AN ORGANIZATION TO MAKE MONEY...THIS IS AMERICA. How said that they don't give you advices in photography?...they do, they had some manuals. First of all for those that would think of getting a credential from them...they should know about photography (I STILL HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO LEARN...AND THAT IS GOOD)...I believe in a way is like when you want to get a driver license...you have to know to drive and then the license. Before I came to USA, in my country I did photography since I was 16...I participated at few photo contests, I had my own Photo Exhibition where the mayor of the city came as a guest, in the year I came to USA...I participated at the last photo contest and the awarded me with the first place, also I wanted to do something more special (for my image and the image of my home town)...I took photos, designed and payed to have printed 16.000 postcards (8 different models) with different images of my home town (Petrosani) and the mountain and hed them in the Post Offices, different stores to sell...For the city I lived was something special, they were the new postcards made after the communism regime in my country was changed. The Governor has contacted me to thank me for the initiative of making the investment to present the city in a NICE WAY.I just started my photography business there and I had the chance to sign a contract as photographer on cruise ships..I had to choose from continuing there or fullfiling another BIG dream of mine...to travel and do photography in the same time, it was an opportunity that I couldn't let go. I did photography for many years...I came in USA as a photographer on cruise ships...and decided to get this credentials knowing that I would desire to do PHOTOGRAPHY also on the land. ...This credentials where I wanted to do photography WERE VERY HELPFUL...and NEVER THOUGHT that I WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MANY CELEBRITIES (because I had these credentials)...in Park City - Utah at Sundance Film Festival. I was there at that time and I SAID I want to do some photography. The credentials helps VERY MUCH..but also I had to be "pushy"...because I wanted to go more in the places where the celebrities where they were going to have photos for private event...TO BE PUSHY to get with my credential for those event. It was a very limited space... and they did some selection...only 10 photographers allowed to get in. I never dreamed that I will be meeting so many celebrities, to take photos of them, also together with some of them (Keanu Reeves, Ted Dansen, Brooke Burnce, Jared Letto, Rob Schneider)...I met and talked to Carmen Electra, Jenny McCarty, James Woods, Luda Criss,...it was close to 30 celebrities. It was fun because some of the spectators where calling me PAPARAZZI... I was having the credentials on my neck...but it was funny to hear them saying that. Back to the credentials,...they were useful at other events I went,...In Miami...when a special Circus from Moscow came...I was the only one allowed to be done in the arena...I went to a football game and they argued a little, but went done and took photos...basketball game...freestyle sky and snowboard competition. The photos I took were for me because, I wanted to build a portfolio for me hoping to continue photography here. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED...some people may reject (it happen to me once too)...this is life. I have a website (with websites I have more to learn, is a new domain to work on) where I have uploaded photos...and also photos of the celebrities I met. If you would like to send me your opinion ...I am more than happy to hear and also to make new friends. my website: www.simagephtoography.com regards....Istvan - Stefi is the way I am called.
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Istvan Fancsali |
All I am going to write is TRUE...originally I am from Romania but, now I live in USA. I have looked over the adds on this website and I understand the disappointments of some you....but in some cases I want to say that it may be your mistake but knowing how to approach the moment and the places where you are wanting to do the photography. I have been member with them for about 4 years...I have got 3 different credentials from them (freelance, nature and sport)...I don't have the PRESS CREDENTIAL... ..and listen...they have been very usefully. OF COURSE THEY ARE AN ORGANIZATION TO MAKE MONEY...THIS IS AMERICA. How said that they don't give you advices in photography?...they do, they had some manuals. First of all for those that would think of getting a credential from them...they should know about photography (I STILL HAVE SO MANY THINGS TO LEARN...AND THAT IS GOOD)...I believe in a way is like when you want to get a driver license...you have to know to drive and then the license. Before I came to USA, in my country I did photography since I was 16...I participated at few photo contests, I had my own Photo Exhibition where the mayor of the city came as a guest, in the year I came to USA...I participated at the last photo contest and the awarded me with the first place, also I wanted to do something more special (for my image and the image of my home town)...I took photos, designed and payed to have printed 16.000 postcards (8 different models) with different images of my home town (Petrosani) and the mountain and hed them in the Post Offices, different stores to sell...For the city I lived was something special, they were the new postcards made after the communism regime in my country was changed. The Governor has contacted me to thank me for the initiative of making the investment to present the city in a NICE WAY.I just started my photography business there and I had the chance to sign a contract as photographer on cruise ships..I had to choose from continuing there or fullfiling another BIG dream of mine...to travel and do photography in the same time, it was an opportunity that I couldn't let go. I did photography for many years...I came in USA as a photographer on cruise ships...and decided to get this credentials knowing that I would desire to do PHOTOGRAPHY also on the land. ...This credentials where I wanted to do photography WERE VERY HELPFUL...and NEVER THOUGHT that I WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MANY CELEBRITIES (because I had these credentials)...in Park City - Utah at Sundance Film Festival. I was there at that time and I SAID I want to do some photography. The credentials helps VERY MUCH..but also I had to be "pushy"...because I wanted to go more in the places where the celebrities where they were going to have photos for private event...TO BE PUSHY to get with my credential for those event. It was a very limited space... and they did some selection...only 10 photographers allowed to get in. I never dreamed that I will be meeting so many celebrities, to take photos of them, also together with some of them (Keanu Reeves, Ted Dansen, Brooke Burnce, Jared Letto, Rob Schneider)...I met and talked to Carmen Electra, Jenny McCarty, James Woods, Luda Criss,...it was close to 30 celebrities. It was fun because some of the spectators where calling me PAPARAZZI... I was having the credentials on my neck...but it was funny to hear them saying that. Back to the credentials,...they were useful at other events I went,...In Miami...when a special Circus from Moscow came...I was the only one allowed to be done in the arena...I went to a football game and they argued a little, but went done and took photos...basketball game...freestyle sky and snowboard competition. The photos I took were for me because, I wanted to build a portfolio for me hoping to continue photography here. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED...some people may reject (it happen to me once too)...this is life. I have a website (with websites I have more to learn, is a new domain to work on) where I have uploaded photos...and also photos of the celebrities I met. If you would like to send me your opinion ...I am more than happy to hear and also to make new friends. my website: www.simagephtoography.com regards....Istvan - Stefi is the way I am called.
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Istvan Fancsali |
Hello again, not very long after I put the first message. I wanted to reapologizes I made in my pronunciation,...not only in photography I have things to learn; to improve my English TOO. My web site is: www.simagephotography.com (I made a mispelling mistake before) Do not give up... The way I see photography, I see it like the finest ART...especially when is about Nature photography (I love most). What God created is wonderful. all best to you all.
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