Certainly not the first time I’ve photographed during an OSU game, but it was the first time I was allowed to photograph in the horseshoe during an OSU game. The first time I shot on campus during an OSU game was for Home Depot a sponsor for ESPN College Gameday. When you’re photographing for a sponsor rather than for the media as an editorial photographer, you may sometimes get special privileges.
First and foremost, you are definitely getting paid. Just as with music photography, and most media credentials, you have to negotiate if youre even going to get paid. It can be difficult because there are enough media coverage photographers willing to photograph events for the love of the event, that it is unlikely other photographers will get paid. Shooting for a sponsor on the other hand, you get paid, and secondly, your restrictions are reduced. Nobody wants to upset the sponsor, so you do get treated a little better. No I couldn’t go up and shake Kirk Herbstreit’s hand, but I was allowed to be on stage and square up with the stage. They treat you like you have a job to do. Media crew are often times treated like an interruption. The media photogs had to shoot from the stage and for a limited amount of time.
OSU v PENN State Nov 23, 2019, shooting for The Home Depot
The benefit of having media credentials however is that those photogs were very likely allowed into the horseshoe after this broadcast to photograph the game. Four years later, I got to shoot my first game. When it is a team that you enjoy watching, sports photography becomes a lot more fun.
OSU v Maryland Oct 7, 2023, shooting with credentials from the Alumni Association
This may be the sweetest session ever! I photographed a pregame event for someone who usually shoots for the OSU Alumni Association. The game was reschedule and he was double-booked. Once I was done with the event, I was given credentials to photograph the game. Not for a media outlet, but for myself! These photos belong entirely to me and i got paid for the Pregame Huddle event!
Alumni Association Pregame Huddle held in the RPAC
Capturing action in a well-lit situation for a change! This had different challenges than low-light concerts. The stage was much bigger and it was much more challenging to know where to be looking for the entirety of the game. I loved it! At the half,
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