What or how do you aquire a photographers pass concert venues?

There isn't really any criteria in terms of qualifications really, it's more people skills and talking your way into the press pass. Speaking to the press/media office is almost always involved, and these people can be arsey at times. Knowing the right people will always help, if you have connections to the organisers and sometimes the performers it's always handy when they put in a recommendation or just some pressure to the press office. Sometimes if you know an experienced photographer who's prepared to take you under their wing, you may get an opening.

That really annoying and fashionable term called networking becomes critically important here! Second to that is being of an agreeable nature.

Depending on who's performing, you have to contact the media relations people for the venue where the conert is being performed or the media relations people for the band. Most often, you have to be a staff photographer of a recognized media outlet (major newspaper, magazine, or news bureau) or a freelancer on assignment.

As a former newspaper photographer myself, I can tell you that this process becomes more of a pain-in-the-backside in direct proportion to the fame of the band. Smaller and/or unknown bands are eager for any and all media attention, so they "can be" more generous with who they issue media credentials to. The more famous bands are more restrictive over who gets media credentials and worse--where, when and what you can shoot. Many famous bands only allow photographers to shoot during the first song or two, and not the whole concert.

If you're not a previously published freelancer, I have to be honest and say that it will be harder to obtain a media credential; and if you're trying to gain access to a major headlining band--nearly impossible. However--it doesn't hurt to ask. The worst thing that can happen is they say "no" or you don't hear from them at all.

Good luck.

it's called a media pass. contact a media person to see if you can obtain one.

You can call the venue and ask them.

or you can make on up. like i do tho it's illegal, unless you work for media!