Missouri State and Photographers

[BigD]

More of the same old crap. I have been trying for DAYS to get answers about shooting at the Missouri State here in Springfield. Friday and Sunday, both, I am shooting with out of town competitors. Last year the contest received ZERO press coverage. I shot all day then uploaded about 400 pics to my site and everyone loved it because I was the only one who had taken all the pics of the morning and evening of the entire event.

This year I contacted the sports editor of the News-Leader. She told me if I would do a write up of the contest, with the winners and submit pics, that she would run it. I was also asked to write a couple of blurbs before the contest and she would print them.

So, I FINALLY got a response from someone associated with the promoter, Chad Nicholls. Here is what I was told, even though I also had an email from Chad welcoming me to shoot.

***********************************************

Dear Doug--

I have received your information regarding the upcoming Missouri State Body Building Championships and have forwarded this information to the owners.

The NPC has strict policies on internet photos. Because your photos are being taken strictly for a website, all photographers in this situation are required to pay a vendor fee of $350.00. This would then put you on a list of approved photographers in the Missouri/Kansas/Arkansas District, of which, Mr. Nicholls is the NPC District Chairman. As well, you would be required to provide Mr. Nicholls a disc of all photographs you take during the event to be used on the NPC District website for Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

Please advise us if this is something you are interested in. Otherwise, you will have to purchase a ticket and take photos from your designated seat. If you do decide to pay the photography vendor fee, you will receive a press pass, be seated in the front row and will have access to a spot in the back of the venue to set up a backdrop, if desired.

Thank you for your inquiry...

Sincerely,


Lucia Giacoma

************************

I responded and got another email in response.

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Dear Doug--

I have spoken with Chad and yes, it is fine for you to take photos - from your seat - as you did last year, but because I have spoken with several other photographers regarding this event, we are unable to give press passes for free as I explained in the first e-mail regarding the photographer/vendor fee to put you on an approved photographer list.

I've already spoken with the News Leader and to our knowledge, they are sending one of their in house staff to cover the event. In the future, you may want to contact us, before taking it upon yourself to contact the News Leader on our behalf. We do thank you for your initiative, however, we personally handle what is going on with the event in terms of press, etc., so that there are not several different people contacting the same places more than once.

As far as the website - this is an official NPC ruling - not Mr. Nicholls rule. Any photographers using photos for web purposes whether it be a free or pay site, must be on an approved photographer list. I would advise you to purchase your ticket soon, so that you are insured a good seat for taking photos. When purchasing your ticket, please put in your customer notes about the photos - I know your name, so I will know what this is regarding when the orders are processed.

Thank you,

Lucia Giacoma
**********************************

Guess I will go ahead and shoot with the competitors I have scheduled and just may skip the damn show.

[John Stutz]

Enlightening story. It clearly shows the brilliant masterminds behind the promotions of this [undoubtedly] wildly successful event.

Say, I don't suppose the Chad Nicholls in your story would be the same 'distinguished gentleman' than operates that other bodybuilding message board?

[JTx]

I'd pay $350 to shoot the Arnold, Olympia, USA's, JR Nats, Europa and maybe Team U.... any promoters reading this? Buehler? Buehler???

[BigD]

Enlightening story. It clearly shows the brilliant masterminds behind the promotions of this [undoubtedly] wildly successful event.

Say, I don't suppose the Chad Nicholls in your story would be the same 'distinguished gentleman' than operates that other bodybuilding message board?

Yes, the same Chad. Good guy, but the promotion like this sucks. And they wonder why the public here never hears about the events like this. Good ole political ineptness.

[James]

hey Big D,

that's a good story. We had something simular where a promoter sold us press passes. The head of the NPC, Manion found out about it and said that it was not allowed. So we got a refund. So by the NPC rules, they said that promoters arent supposed to sell these pre$$ pa$$e$.

You should send that e-mail to the NPC and see what they say about it.

[Mike]

What does the website have to do with his Missouri show just curious?

[BigD]

hey Big D,

that's a good story. We had something simular where a promoter sold us press passes. The head of the NPC, Manion found out about it and said that it was not allowed. So we got a refund. So by the NPC rules, they said that promoters arent supposed to sell these pre$$ pa$$e$.

You should send that e-mail to the NPC and see what they say about it.

What address would I send it to? I am only wanting to help promote bodybuilding and offering to do it free! I had over 100 people sign up on my site last year to see the pics, many who could not be here so it helped them see what went on. I get no $$$ from it, enjoy it, and it only helps the show and contestants. Geez, try to do a good thing, on my own time, and you just get shot down and asked for money.

[BigD]

What does the website have to do with his Missouri show just curious?

Whatcha mean, Mike? My website? This one?

[Mike]

No, the comment above about the 'distinguished gentleman' and his site. I don't get how the show and NPC policies relates so was just curious.

[BigD]

No, the comment above about the 'distinguished gentleman' and his site. I don't get how the show and NPC policies relates so was just curious.

They aren't. John was just asking if Chad was the same Chad. Not blaming anything on Chad, he is a cool guy. But for what I am offering to do it just doesn't sound right and I really don't think it is his fault. Just can't see to get to him to explain any of it.

[Tre]

Doug - Having been around since the inception of this (back in 2002), I can tell you that they still haven't figured it out yet.

Without going into the full history of it all (trust me, you don't have time to read it!), I will say only that it would probably be worth it to you to pay the $350 for access to all the shows in your region. Assuming you would've paid $100 to attend 4 shows anyway, why not pay $250 more for premium seating and backstage access?

Once you pay the fee, you then have license to sell the images. It'll take a little work, but you'll make the money back and it's a win-win-win for all involved.

Good luck to ya.

[BigD]

Doug - Having been around since the inception of this (back in 2002), I can tell you that they still haven't figured it out yet.

Without going into the full history of it all (trust me, you don't have time to read it!), I will say only that it would probably be worth it to you to pay the $350 for access to all the shows in your region. Assuming you would've paid $100 to attend 4 shows anyway, why not pay $250 more for premium seating and backstage access?

Once you pay the fee, you then have license to sell the images. It'll take a little work, but you'll make the money back and it's a win-win-win for all involved.

Good luck to ya.

Thanks, Tre. I was contacted offline by another photographer and we are going tot alk by phone. This was my point, though. I have no interest in selling the images. My only purpose in doing this is to help promote bodybuilding here, let others see images of the contest and I was going to do a write up for the paper with some pics. I don't want to do anything with the images for profit and was going to do it all on my own time just because I wanted to do it. Ever heard the phrase, Never look a gift horse in the mouth? LO

I just want to do it because I enjoy it. Geez.

[BigD]

Going to attend the morning show, shoot what I can and make contacts for private shoots. I decided that is the best way to go.

[Tre]

Sounds good, Doug.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - being 'stricken from The List' was actually the best thing that could've happened to me when it did. It forced me to re-think my approach and to 'get into the game', as it were. Once I learned that this industry was all about exploitation, everything became crystal clear.

You have to understand that the people you're trying to reason with are not interested in the feel-good promotion of bodybuilding. Their job is to extract as much money as possible from each competitor and their families & friends. While promoters like Brad & Elaine Craig (#1 promotional team in the entire NPC) understand the value of attracting local sponsors and giving their athletes great value and tons of publicity in various media outlets, you have a lot of other promoters who don't quite get it.

That's fine.

I know it makes you shake your head, but spend enough time around the industry and you'll eventually learn that laughter is the best way to respond to a lot of the nonsense you're likely to experience.

Best wishes...

[BigD]

Sounds good, Doug.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - being 'stricken from The List' was actually the best thing that could've happened to me when it did. It forced me to re-think my approach and to 'get into the game', as it were. Once I learned that this industry was all about exploitation, everything became crystal clear.

You have to understand that the people you're trying to reason with are not interested in the feel-good promotion of bodybuilding. Their job is to extract as much money as possible from each competitor and their families & friends. While promoters like Brad & Elaine Craig (#1 promotional team in the entire NPC) understand the value of attracting local sponsors and giving their athletes great value and tons of publicity in various media outlets, you have a lot of other promoters who don't quite get it.

That's fine.

I know it makes you shake your head, but spend enough time around the industry and you'll eventually learn that laughter is the best way to respond to a lot of the nonsense you're likely to experience.

Best wishes...

Understood! LOL I have posted shots from the morning show on my site. Everyone feel free to go look and if you aren't registered you have to do so to see the galleries. I was only there for the morning but got some really good images. Kim Kilper was there as well.

[hans]

Good to see Kim Kilper onstage again - I was wondering what had happened to her. So she did bodybuilding and figure right? Did she win? And any idea if she is doing USA's?

Hans

[BigD]

Good to see Kim Kilper onstage again - I was wondering what had happened to her. So she did bodybuilding and figure right? Did she win? And any idea if she is doing USA's?

Hans

She competed in Figure. Not sure about the USA, I spoke to her only briefly as I was too busy shooting.

[Tre]

... I was too busy shooting.
You gain so much time for other things when you're not stuck into the arena trying to cover the show. ;)

[BigD]

I found that out yesterday! LOL Thanks!

[BigD]

Here are some shots from the weekend, Saturday and a couple of shoots I had Sunday a.m. This is Megan Thomas

[BigD]

Cheri is here in Springfield, a friend of mine. She was looking great!

[BigD]

Sonia is from St Louis and competed in Fitness

[Tre]

Yowza... :D

[femalemusclefan]

Thanks for the pictures Doug!
All the ladies look sensational!
Especially Megan Thomas in the gold onepeice, that's a gorgeous picture of a gorgeous woman!
Megan reminds me of Darla Benfield! :)

[TomNine]

Doug,

Thanks for the pics, great work.

If the promoter views your photos as a threat instead of a way to promote the show and the athletes, that is his problem and not yours.

Tom

[BigD]

Doug,

Thanks for the pics, great work.

If the promoter views your photos as a threat instead of a way to promote the show and the athletes, that is his problem and not yours.

Tom

Thanks, and you are right! :) I had loads of fun doing what I did. Screw the rest of it!

[BigD]

Some shots I took of Amy Kessler from St Louis last Saturday afternoon. More on my site.

[femalemusclefan]

Very nice!
Thanks Doug! :)

[BigD]

Very nice!
Thanks Doug! :)

Thank you, and you are welcome!