Photography/Press pass for Festivals (Wireless)

henrygregory

Hi there, I am really interested in getting a photography pass for a Festival. In particular Wireless 2014 which is held in London. I am in the lucky position that the management for this event have offered me a free ticket (just as a normal visitor).

How difficult is it to get a photography pass? I am not a professional photographer (do have some nice kit tho) and don't make money from my photos. I really want to get some proper experience at events on this scale as I have done lots at smaller events. I have contacted some of the current photographers for events such as Wireless and VFestival but none of them have ever got back to me.

paddyrg

Press rights are complicated for festivals and each act may have different restrictions. If the promoter has offered you an in, maybe they'll be able to offer you a camera pass too, but be aware it's 'worth' a lot more than a regular comp.

A press pass will probably get you into some backstage areas, access to power, wifi, clean loos, water, showers, etc. It'll get you access to the pit. Typically, artists only allow press shots for the first 3 tracks of a set as it comes between them and their audience. If you do get backstage access, remember there is important etiquette behind not taking photos there. People may be doing things that aren't part of their controlled image so cameras are extremely unwelcome - this is why press access would be quite limited.

However, what is it you're hoping to get different/extra from a press pass? Pretty much everything you want is visible from front of house or is inaccessible to press anyway.