I did some work for a local weekly last winter just to see if it was something I'd like to consider. I had rented a lens for a month and used some of the money I earned to pay for that rental. I just purchased some new equipment and am going to work with them again this winter and hopefully on a continuing basis after that. My question is this....I've got a Press pass they gave me that shows me as a photographer for the paper. I have no problem getting into any of our local HS's with it as they all know the paper. What else will that pass get me and is it wrong to use it to shoot for myself if the paper doesn't have an assignment for me at the time. If I shouldn't use it, how do freelancers get access to events such as small college sports? I spoke to a photographer in the area who made a fancy looking laminated press pass with some made up company name in NY on it and he used it get in anywhere he wanted to and was never questioned. He basically was doing this just to build a portfolio. I dont' think that's what I want to do as it seems like I'd lose any chance with that facility/school if they figure out I'm not really working for a "big" company.