The Answer Is Always No…
A wise man once told me, “The answer is always no if you don’t ask.” When I heard that, it resonated with me. Recently I have been applying that to my photography. There are events that I would love to photograph that I truly could only dream of. Did I say dream of? That’s what I initially thought. The first event I ever asked for credentials for was a Honeymoone Suite concert in North Tonawanda, NY. I never received any correspondence back. I showed at the venue anyways and faked it until I made it. The venue Owner snagged the band manager as they were taking the stage and said to him “This guy says you 2 were e-mailing. and you gave him permission to photograph 3 songs?”. I over hear the bands manager say “oh yeah yeah, I remember him! He’s good!”
Next and one of the most recent and biggest opportunities for myself was being approved to photograph Penn State Wrestling! This was huge for so many reasons.
PSU Wrestling has 12 National Championships in 16 years
Carter Starocci was on this team.
This would be Carter Starocci’s final season as a collegiate wrestler. He would finish this season once again Undefeated (hadn’t lost a match since early in his freshman season). Additionally he did something never done at the end of the season becoming the first and probably last ever Collegiate Wrestler to win 5 National Titles himself. (I got to photograph a small piece of wrestling history).
I got to witness and photograph an incredible match by a Freshman named Josh Barr! I will never forget the goosebumps I got when Barr got the Match winning take down with 2 seconds left to win the match 3-2. The Bryce Jordan Center absolutely exploded!!! Did I mention all of us photographers were directly mat side? Yup! Best seat in the house!
Josh Barr went on to take 2nd in the Nation at the National Championships. He will undoubtedly be a National Champion in coming years.
Do you understand why this was such a big deal to be given the access which I was? This is not a small time program. It truly is the absolute wrestling program in the nation.
I have applied for a few more credentials since and thus far I have been approved. Don’t sell yourself short. It’s amazing how far you can get with some confidence, persistence, and hard work.
