Most newspapers, particularly locals, will print contact details prominently within the paper, typically near the editorial comment. Many will actively encourage people to send pictures in by supplying a dedicated email address.
When you submit an image, include your contact details and some basic information about it. Follow the five ‘Ws' rule; Who, What, When, Where and Why. Whatever you do, don't assume that the paper will already have a suitable picture; they can't send photographers to every event. But even if a newspaper photographer was in attendance, it doesn't mean you shouldn't bother sending shots. You may, for example, have captured a unique perspective on a newsworthy story that the staffer hasn't got.
Supplying to a local paper on a freelance basis isn't going to make you wealthy. In truth, you may be fortunate to receive any kind of payment at all. If the paper sends you a contract to sign before it publishes your shot, read it very carefully. Don't assign any copyright of images over to the paper and be sure to check to see whether you'll receive anything if any reprints are requested. Local papers generate extra income through such print sales, so clarify your rights on this as well.
Freelance or staff?
Any newspaper will have a number of staff photographers, along with a group of reliable freelancers who can be called upon as and when the need arises. The staffers will, generally speaking, be given the better jobs purely because they're a known quantity. Freelancers tend to get the scraps. In addition, a freelancer will be expected to have their own transport and the means to send images in from the field - typically a laptop with wireless capabilities. Such equipment represents a sizeable investment, something you may consider excessive if you're only going to be photographing cats stuck up trees. Despite this, being freelance can really help you cut your teeth in the business and many freelancers do, in fact, become staff photographers when such an opportunity arises.
Whether freelance or staff, there are a number of personal attributes that all press photographers possess. Shrinking violets need not apply. As a press photographer you need to be able to think quickly and often create something out of nothing. Flexibility is key, both in terms of when you can work and how you handle yourself on a job. A picture editor will soon find another photographer to cover jobs if every time he or she phones you, you're too busy or simply unavailable. The same flexibility applies when you get to a job. You may have the ideal shot in mind, but if this isn't possible, you have to think quickly and come up with an alternative. Persuasiveness can be handy here, as can a friendly demeanour.
Crucially, though, you should have an eye for a good picture. This fact is often disregarded by many who perceive that press photography is just a question of turning up and photographing what's there. To a certain extent, this is true, but the most poignant and hard-hitting press shots are the ones that not only sum up the story, but are also great photographs in their own right. To be able to achieve this in the time it takes most photographers to set up a tripod is a real skill.
Get in training
There are a number of other ways of getting your foot in the press photography door. There is an increasing number of websites, such as Scoopt, which are dedicated to so-called ‘citizen journalism'. Essentially they act as a picture agency for your images. Obviously, there's a vetting process, but if your shots are accepted, they'll be put in front of a huge audience of potential buyers. Such websites take a sizeable cut of any sales, plus they normally have the rights to market the image for a year, but they could help you build up all-important column inches.
Alternatively, consider getting some formal training in the art of press photography by getting a recognised qualification. Norton College in Sheffield runs a year-long course in photojournalism, the only one of its kind to have full accreditation from the National Council for the Training of Journalists. If you're looking to study for longer, Falmouth College runs a three-year Press Photography BA (Hons) course.
Any photographic discipline is tough, but press photography is tougher than most. It's not supremely well paid - unless you're a big name working for the nationals - and in any given day you may have to deal with every human emotion from misery to elation. But if it's an exciting challenge you want for yourself and your photography, few careers could match that of the press photographer. No two days are ever the same.
