Press Pass Playbook

How I Got My First Media Pass (And Why Relationships Matter)

When people ask me how I got into sports videography, they usually expect some story about having a family member in the industry or knowing someone who could instantly open doors for me.

The truth is somewhere in the middle.

I can't honestly say I had zero connections. In fact, a lot of the opportunities I've received came from relationships I built throughout high school, college, and later in my personal and professional life.

But none of those relationships were handed to me. They were built over time through showing up, doing good work, and staying connected with people.

It started in high school when I joined the media arts academy and worked on the production crew for football games. That's where I learned the fundamentals—operating cameras, working under pressure, meeting deadlines, and being part of a team on game day.

Those experiences led me to opportunities in college. I got involved at my university's radio station and began covering professional sports through student media. It was the first time I realized that students could gain access to events that seemed completely out of reach.

When I transferred to a larger university, I continued covering high school and college athletics. Every game, article, photo gallery, and video became another piece of my portfolio. Looking back, I was building credibility long before I realized how important it would become.

One of the biggest turning points came when I wanted to cover events outside of my school. Instead of waiting for permission, I reached out directly to a Sports Information Director at a local junior college. It was a simple email and a simple ask.

They said yes.

That one opportunity led to another. My portfolio improved. My network grew. I met more people in the industry. The relationships I had built over the years started creating new opportunities.

Eventually, those opportunities led me to covering Phoenix Suns games through the media outlets I worked with.

The biggest lesson I've learned is that access usually comes from a combination of relationships and initiative.

You don't need to know a celebrity, work for ESPN, or have some secret connection.

You do need:

• A place to start (student media, local sports coverage, or even your own platform)

• A portfolio that proves you can create quality work

• The willingness to reach out and ask for opportunities

• The ability to build genuine relationships over time

The path is more accessible than people think. You just need to know where to start, who to contact, and how to position yourself for opportunities when they come.

That's exactly why I created this guide—to help aspiring sports videographers learn the process that helped me get from local games to professional sports coverage.