Things You'll Need:
- Nikon or Canon Digital SLR
- An IBM or Apple Laptop
- A Press Pass
-
Step 1
Make a top ten list of the people you would like to shoot for ie Getty Images, Retna, Wireimage, etc.
-
Step 2
Decide on which equipment you want to use. I suggest Canon or Nikon. They are so popular that you can always count on getting equipment fixed or borrowing equipment from colleagues. I use Canon Rebel XSi with 12 megapixels, a Canon 17-85mm lens, 28-135mm lens and a Sigma 70-200mm lens, a 580EX speelite (Flash). The Nikon equivalent would be the D300.
-
Step 3
How much to spend: Get the best equipment you can afford. I use equipment that allows me to shoot with the quality I need. The Rebel XSi sells for less than $800. The other Canon models sell for thousands. You don't need to spend thousands if you can't afford it. It is the photographer not the equipment that counts. Nikon and Canon make cameras that are less expensive and use the same technology to achieve superior image quality without breaking the bank. Read the reviews and go to stores where you hold and touch the equipment to see how it feels and handles. You can't use a point and shoot camera, but you should never leave the house without a camera, so a point and shoot Canon camera would be good to have.
-
Step 4
Before you can get the press pass, you should start shooting and shop your photos to newspapers or photo agencies on your list. Sign up as a freelancer with one of the lesser agencies and make your mistakes with them.
-
Step 5
Full Lenth Shot of Amanda Hearst on the Red CarpetYou need to master how to take photos the papers and photo agencies need. You need to get on a red carpet for arrivals to a few events. Take position and shoot the celebrities as they arrive. Shoot the following of each person: 1) Full length (Do not cut off the shoes or the heads), 2) Half length (From the waist up), 3) Headshot. Make sure the eyes of your subjects are in focus so the eyelashes are nice and sharp. Make sure you don't have too much area over the head but don't cut off the head. If the ladies have accessories, get shots of the purse, shoes, earrings, any engagement rings, etc. If you can, get an over the shoulder shot showing the back of the dress for the ladies. Think of fashion, fashion, fashion.
-
Step 6
Billy Bob Thornton | Photo by Steve MackOnce your portfolio looks better, and you have got some pictures published that you submitted to papers, magazines or some photo news agency you signed up with, go and apply for a press pass from NYPD if you live in New York City. You will need (3) tearsheets (pages from papers, magazines or the internet with you published photos showing your photo credit.)
-
Step 7
Jennifer Lopez Fashion Show | People | Photo by Steve MackKeep shooting, handing out your business cards to the publicity people at each event. This ensures you will get media alerts directly for various events. As that happens, you can pick and choose which events you would like to shoot and who you will submit the photos to.
-
Step 8
S.D. Mack Pictures WebsiteAs you become more proficient, you will be asked to be the house photographer for some of the events and still offer photos for publication to photo wire services. Your goal should be getting hired as a staff photographer for a company like Getty Images or the Associated Press and then you will shoot full time. The thing that will change is you will no longer retain the copyright to your photos, something you once enjoyed as a freelancer.
