Anyone heard of IFPO

[B-Dawg]

I am new to photography, but will be getting a camera for Christmas and am very excited. I wanted to see if any of you had ever heard of IFPO, International Freelance Photographers Organization? I just stumbled across this site this afternoon while looking at various photo sites and they claim to be able to get you press credentials to get you into games, etc. Don't know if they are legit or not, but thought I would see if any of you had heard of them.

I am not looking to make a carrier change or anything like that. I would just love to be able to take pics of sports and events around Texas and the rest of the country.

I have ZERO experience right now, but am going to take some classes and start taking pics as soon as my camera comes in. I am just a little excited. It is funny to be a middle aged man this excited for Christmas. I am not sure who is more excited, me or my kids.

[fivegrand]

IFPO has some great resources and pools of knowledge to draw from, but their "credential" program is a farse. Perhaps in the past when the IFPO was new, the "credential" (that you print and laminate yourself) could get you into someplace, but now they're "outed" and savvy security won't let you pass. Security at most events won't let you pass without the venue's clearance pass or the event promoter's clearance pass, which, regardless of your organizational affiliation, you (or your assigning publication) will have to pay for.

I'd recommend looking at these organizations over the IFPO.

http://www.apanational.org/
http://www.editorialphoto.com/
http://www.asmp.org/