How do freelance photographers and journalists identify themselves?
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.
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.
