[Hacker]

There is an equestrian magazine that publishes my shots from time to time and following my shots from Badminton last weekend it looks like they will be arranging a press pass for me at the Burghley Horse Trials in September. Burghley, along with Badminton, is classed as a Four Star event of which there are only five in the world. There may also be the opportunity to cover some other major events as well with an outside chance to attend the Horse of the Year show in December.

Payment will be cr*p but I would be going anyway so it will save the exorbitant entrance fee and will give me the opportunity to get a bit more creative and explore the world of remote/wireless trigger devices (all suggestions gratefully received!).

It all helps to get me closer to my dream of an Olympic Press Pass for 2012.

[Angela]

Way to go Hacker!

[VikingPhotography]

Originally Posted by Hacker

Payment will be cr*p but I would be going anyway so it will save the exorbitant entrance fee and will give me the opportunity to get a bit more creative and explore the world of remote/wireless trigger devices (all suggestions gratefully received!).

Define cr*p payment, please: I understand that this might be one of your first official commissions, but believe me when I say that shouldn't mean that you get your pants pulled down over the pricing of your shots. PM me if you don't want to make the details public.

Originally Posted by Hacker

It all helps to get me closer to my dream of an Olympic Press Pass for 2012.

One site for you then: Action Images, Sports photography agency

If you build up a good enough body of work to showcase, an agency such as Action Images would probably be a good outlet.

FWIW: I hope to be at the Olympics too, covering judo, taekwondo and (maybe) boxing for WI. That gives me about four and a bit years to invest in some more kit and lenses... I think Nikon are going to make me very happy with their announcement on 12th May

[Hacker]

Martin, thanks for taking the time to answer. The magazine I supply images to is a regional magazine (not like Horse & Hound) with a very low budget and the type of events that I cover are local the 'pony club' type where the riders want a picture of themselves or their kids. I know they don't pay much but I thought I could use them to get a pass which appears to have worked, for me it is a chance to build my portfolio at a major event whilst having access to areas I wouldn't have as a paying punter.

The Action Images site looks good, I'll PM you later with a few questions if you don't mind.

[VikingPhotography]

Have they even discussed a fee for images? A good rule of thumb is to look at what they charge for advertising space e.g. the magazine charges £1200 for a full colour, single page ad, then a good rate for a full page of photos would be about £120 - though that isn't set in stone. Negotiation is the key here.

At the end of the day you simply have to ensure that you're not out of pocket. There are monetary costs to you (fuel, food) and the cost of your time. Ensure you are properly compensated for both, and don't let the "I would have paid X amount to go to the event as a spectator" come into it.... I wouldn't go to two thirds of the concerts I shoot

[sejanus]

Congratulations, Hacker, you're off and running!

The other thing You may wish to consider is public liability insurance. It's very unusual for a photographer to get sued for negligence but I do have personal knowledge of a cameraman who caused a certain amount of mayhem at a farming event and was faced with a five figure bill. Luckily, his agency's insurance covered him but I doubt the magazine will cover you. You can be pretty certain certain that, even if your household insurance includes public liability, it won't cover you working 'for hire or reward'.

[P-E]

Well done Hacker nice one ......hope the Olympic dream comes true

[Sonsey]

Well done Colin, one step towards the Olympic press pass!... I wish I could've got one myself, it would've saved me £60 odd quid for the Burghley tickets!

[JMitchell]

Nice one Colin! Good luck, and hope you get your Olympic Pass!

[daveyuk]

Colin weldone and congrats to you