After much considerations, we have decided to publish this post so everyone know how we select our photographers for some of our photography events. Priority will always be given to photographers who have covered the same event before and have done a good job, then followed by committee members, active members and significant contributors of MOPSG IF they possessed the required skills, attitude, experience and knowledge to get the job done because we think this makes more sense. For certain photoshoot opportunities, we cannot select photographers based on first come first serve basis because there is no way to contact ALL photographers in our database ALL at the same time. We also do not wish to risk the job by selecting photographers without further screening just because they are free and they are one of the first few to reply.

One of MOPSG's missions is to provide opportunities for our members to be involved in medium to large scale commercial events to gain experience and our success lies in our proven track record in getting the job done above and beyond clients' expectations. As such we have zero tolerance for any mistakes and we do not take risk by engaging photographers whom we do not trust and we don't put our photographers at risk for being banned by event organisers for producing sub-standard pictures.

Besides good photography skills and knowledge, networking is also important. You need contacts and access to shoot certain events and if you think you can do so by hiding behind your computer reading this, you're wrong. You need to introduce yourself to the photography community, you need to show up at our photography events to make more friends and we need to know how good you are.

Having said that, if you are still keen to find out how we go about selecting photographers for an event, read on.

1. We will notify all photographers in our database to register their interest using one or more of the following means:
a. Send SMS to all SMS subscribers
b. Send emails and PMs to all forum members
c. Publicise in facebook page and facebook group
d. Word of mouth

Unless otherwise indicated in the event thread, we will apply the following criteria/formula to filter and select photographers based on the final list of respondents.
a. Photographers who have covered the same event before and have done a good job (Up to 50% of total available passes so other good photographers stand a chance)
b. Prerequisites + Good Attitude + Photography Skills + (committee members and/or significant contributors of MOPSG)
c. Prerequisites + Good Attitude + Photography Skills + (active members and/or significant contributors of MOPSG)

If we are unable to allocate all available photography passes based on the above criteria, we will proceed with the next criteria.
d. Prerequisites + Good Attitude + Photography Skills
e. Prerequisites + Good Attitude + (active members and/or significant contributors of MOPSG)
f. Prerequisites + Good Attitude

* Prerequisites refer to photoshoot/job requirements. (Examples: Able to cover all days, willing to submit all pictures on the spot etc)
* Active members refer to members who attended our photography events regularly and/or post in our forum regularly etc
* Significant contributors refer to people who linked us up to an exclusive photoshoot opportunity and/or organised photography events for our members etc

In some cases, we might give priority to people who made significant contribution to our community over photographers who possessed the required skills. Example of such case would be if the event we're covering is made possible by the contributor, we will include him/her in the shoot regardless of whether he/she is active and possessed the required photography skills and provided this decision does not jeopardise the job/shoot. So the next time you think we're crazy and unfair, think again

We hope this post helps to clear some of your doubts and if you're still in doubts, email [email protected] for clarification before you register your interest. And if you're not shortlisted, please do not show the other side of you as it's not going to help and it will only affirm our decision is right. We can't stress enough on the importance of having the right attitude.

Last but not least, there is no perfect system and these are just guidelines and they may be subjected to changes depending on the priorities and objectives of a given assignment. Happy Shooting!

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