Posts
18
Joined
3/1/2015
Location
Palm Coast, FL
US
Does anyone here have any input or ideas of how to get media credentials for this race? The speedway wants you to be working for a magazine or website however I'm just a freelance photographer. I don't have any massive followings or work for a magazine so if anyone has any ideas or input please help. I grew up racing so I'm familiar with how to stay out of the way and not looking to go fan boy just wanna grow my work.
To be honest, SX access can be more challenging than the outdoors if you've not got an existing track record. I don't know about Daytona personally, but generally there is just a space issue with SX that can be limiting on available credentials, and personally I never sought an SX credential because there are shooters making their income shooting with existing relationships with vendors and magazine who have first dibs on that space. If you don't have an assignment you're going to have a friend who can grease it for you. That's kind of the trick to breaking in to the other side of the fence. If your portfolio tracks your posted images that can only help, as it shows you know your way around a track and a camera. Good luck!
Thanks I appreciate the feedback I was thinking Daytona because it's not directly done by Feld and Daytona still does the issuing. I work in public safety and I normally work the race there so getting behind the scenes isn't the goal I can make that happen easy. I've had the perks of meeting the true heroes of the sport like Matthes and GuyB a few times there and would love to just freelance it with my camera in hand. Thanks for the input though it's appreciated.
I tried to get access almost 10 years ago for the Atlanta SX and had no luck. I was working for J&P Cycle just down the road from where you are and I was writing for our blog and I supplied them with the traffic numbers of our blog which were pretty strong, and I got nowhere. I wrote the story from the stands, and it got a decent amount of hits. The ironic thing is the very next year I went to Atlanta and sat in the press box and did track walk and VIP'ed it with a team.
I got behind the scenes once at Atlanta just by dumb luck, it almost seems like the easier way than doing it correctly. But I just don't wanna have to worry or stress especially at a track where I work occasionally lol.
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That's good getting access at that place, security is (was) on a pretty good power trip there. Ted Parks yelled at a security guard that was hassling me. I only met him one time so it's not like I'm important to him, I just think he likes yelling at security. Hahahaha
Shannon, since you live in Palm Coast, where do you ride?
Oh those days are over for me, but it was pax and then all the other close tracks at the time, Hard Rock, Bithilo, Hilliard. I found a way to fill that void and be on two wheels as a motor cop but that's it for me. I'm just a fan these days on the couch.
If you're a motor cop I'm sure we know some of the same guys. You should come join Daytona Dirt Riders. We have a lease in Korona just north of Destination Daytona on US1. We trail ride and hold the Alligator Enduro and the Alligator Hare Scramble every year. We have a mix from Pee wees to AA riders to the group I call "Retirees Who Ride."
Can't help with the credentials, but just wanted to chip in and say I like your two photos from the Rolex 24. Great shots.
Thank you I appreciate that, photography is just a serious hobby at this point even though I'm told I need to take a more job related look at it. I would like to make it a more professional Avenue just can't build the courage to leave my career yet. www.instagram.com/sfountain224 if anyone in the central Florida area wants to mentor or teach me the ways lol.
Likewise man, serious hobby that makes good side money that I'd like to take to full time eventually. I dropped you a follow!
If you would like to get your foot in the door, We can help you out with credentials.
Shoot me an email and we can talk about Daytona.
Your private messages are off so I sent an email to the info@ for the company if that works. Thanks for taking the time to read the post!
I would not suggest changing career paths to be a photographer in action sports. Photography is so easy now and great photographers are a dime a dozen. A lot of them are like you, who will work for free to get credentials. I've done it myself over the years just for the love of photography, moto, surfing, and travel. If you had skills 10-15 years ago when photography was more challenging you could make some okay money, but the gear nowadays makes it so easy that any dummy can shoot good photos. The editing is what will set you apart from the rest, but there's still nothing to write home about when it comes to compensation. Shooting for the love of it, side money, or perks/access is best. If you want to make money shooting photos get into high end weddings and deal with the bridezillas. You can make some nice coin in weddings but keep moto and other stuff on the side for fun. If you haven't shot for hire before you might learn that you don't enjoy shooting as much when it's "work".
Even some of the best photographers in this industry don't make a lot of coin, and they travel non stop. It's a grind.
Thanks for the info, I could see how what you're saying makes sense. I'm not necessarily looking to photograph supercross full time just photography in general, landscape, events, the bridezillas. I just feel like if I can also photograph something I love and grew up doing as well I'd really like to do that. None of my career choices I've made have ever been for the money lol.
Just an update on this I'm still looking for any help or assistance with this. I could even slide a privateer or someone a couple bucks for the weekend to help if they can get me a pass as well as take some pictures of them. Feel free to message me if anyone needs.
Be legit. Or know somebody. Daytona is way different than the rest of the races.
LMAO come on dude. Go ahead and tell any of those guys that they're only in the position they're in because of the gear. The best editing in the world make up for shitty composition. Just a hilarious statement all around.
OP: You are more likely to get a pass for RCSX Amateur Days than the Saturday Night SX. Unless you're on assignment it is pretty tough to get a pass.
Pit Row
this
They are in the position they are in because they're good photographers, hustle, and don't mind the travel/grind. I've have been shooting with all of them for years, including all the worlds best surf photographers who have now been sidelined because work dried up. I chose not to shoot action sports for a career because I'm motivated by money, and I prefer to shoot on the side for the love of photography.
I teach people photography all the time, and yes it's a lot easier now with the latest gear although it's never been super tough if you used the right setup. I just taught 3 guys from a Maasai Mara tribe in Africa who'd never touched a camera before. One out of the three guys had an eye for it and was shooting amazing wildlife shots in a matter of hours. Yes, of course composition is important but the gear nowadays with the AI makes it even easier than ever was in the past. I can set my camera up for my girl at a race and she'll capture the same imagery as most of the guys if I help position her. So then it just comes down to editing if you want to stand out.
If this is your career and you are getting offended about me stating the facts I'm sorry but photography is not what it used to be now that it's very accessible with cheap gear and also improving AI technology (not to mention Youtube).
If anyone wants to know how easy it is, go buy a $200 Canon 1DmkIIn and a $600 70-200 2.8 non IS. This 15+ yr old $800 setup will do nearly anything you want it to for moto except shoot in low light. I can tell you how to set it up and you'll shoot amazing shots if you have half an eye for moto action. It's not brain surgery.
But the underlying message is reality; it is very difficult to break in at the level where you are making money shooting Moto. There are very well-established shooters who have existing relationships with journals and vendors, and those vendors want quick and reliable access across the season without thinking twice. And there is a lot of competition within those established shooters for those gigs. That is a tough nut to crack, tougher than buying gear.
None of which means that someone should not pursue it. Wishing the OP luck.
Nah man I’m not mad at all. I don’t even really disagree with what you’re saying. As Fresh Top End says, it’s hard to get into the industry so making money is a tough reality. But the statement of “it’s easy” discredits those who have worked super hard to get into the position they are. I know it wasn’t as “easy” as just buying the newest and nicest gear. Yes, I believe anyone can learn the fundamentals of photography but it is a whole lot more than that even to get your foot in the door. That’s all. I just don’t want to discredit those who have worked so hard to make a living doing this type of thing.
I appreciate all the input I really do, and I don't wanna take anything away from the guys that do this for a living, people like Cudby and even GuyB are idols. I don't want to get in to Moto photography as a career just here and there for the love of my two favorite things. I've got a solid career and retirement coming no need to leave that for any unknowns lol.
BDB speaks the truth . I was in a very similar place ten years ago . It’s a tough gig to break into . Almost all the pro sport photogs that I met , told me that without weddings they are out of business .
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