Stringers/Staff Photogs

[<Bottom of the list>]

I work in a market where there are no freelace guys (Not to my knowledge atleast, I've never seen one out on a shoot, and my station doesn't purchase video from anyone) - So my question is, in markets where they do work, what's the relationship/mood between them and staff photogs for stations?

[Terry E. Toller]

Depends mostly on the stringer. Some stringers are jerks and cause trouble for everyone. Others know the ropes and even help and teach new staffers.

I have loaned batteries, lights and mics to staffers having problems in the field. I once had a chief photog GIVE me an NP1 battery to keep.

I have had staffers arrive to see me there and they called in to tell the station that I had the story covered. Once, I was leaving a major ax on the freeway caused by black ice. The CHP had the freeway shut down in both directions. I got in by driving the wrong way for about one mile. Got away with it because I was shooting real stories of the highway patrol at the time... As I was leaving, I saw a live truck stuck in parked traffic about a mile away from the scene. I heard the staffer call in and say, "I am on scene and Terry just got here. I will have the same thing he gets." The video told the real story...

It all depends on the personalities...