So you want to be a press photographer
If you fancy a ringside seat at newsworthy events from party conferences to chimpanzees tea parties, then the life of a press snapper might be for you
Words Roger Payne & Pictures by Paul Nicholls
Variety is the spice of life, so we're told, and if it's variety you seek in your photographic career then shooting for the press could well be your dream come true. In any given day you could be asked to illustrate stories as diverse as ‘Motorway crash carnage' and ‘Beer drinking budgie baffles boffins', applying the same level of photographic skill and professionalism to both jobs. It's challenging, rewarding and stressful in equal measure and, as if that wasn't enough, it's also a very competitive industry to make your mark in.
Building a portfolio
Press photography is one of very few photographic disciplines where technical perfection is of secondary importance. Most picture editors would rather have a slightly blurred image of a famous celebrity in a compromising position or the aftermath of some freak weather conditions than no picture at all. For this reason, equipment doesn't need to be cutting edge. Certainly, as you become established, there will be a need to upgrade equipment but don't feel this is the be-all and end-all when you're starting out.
What's more important is you build up a strong portfolio that you can take along to picture editors. It goes without saying that this portfolio doesn't want to be full of chocolate-box portraits and landscapes; such shots may prove your technical ability, but they won't give any indication of how you react as a newsworthy scene unravels itself in front of you.
As you build said portfolio, you're almost certainly going to take some shots that will be newsworthy and you can always approach newspapers with these images. The key here is to react quickly and get your shots to the picture desk as soon as possible. Make sure that you have all the relevant details (email address or phone number) of the picture desk with you at all times so you can submit shots almost as soon as you've taken them. The time it takes you to get back home to submit a photograph could give someone else enough time to send in his or her own picture.
