Who gets to snap the shutter?

By Kevin Killough
Staff writer

GALLUP — The National High School Rodeo Association implemented a new photography policy, which raises questions as to how the group is controlling media access to the Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo here in Gallup. The national junior high finals will be held here later this month.

According to a media memo on their Web site, “photo passes” are only being issued to official NHSRA contractors and sponsors, which means that only those media outlets with a financial relationship with the rodeo are being permitted in the arena area to take photographs.
According to Mike Hausman, media coordinator for the NHSRA, the concern is over safety.

“It's becoming more typical with this kinds of events,” he said. “As the rodeo grows, more people are in the arena. So, we're trying to limit the number of people down there.”

The association is providing photographs free of charge taken by the official photographer. Hausman said that the official photographer has much more access than could feasibly be provided to all photographers, which will produce better quality photos.

“From a photography perspective, the person in the arena is going to get the best shot,” he said.

In the past, he said, the association set up a special area for photographers, but the event attracts too many people now for that approach.

Chairman of the Rodeo Association Dudley Byerley said that Independent provides the event with special advertising rates, which constitutes a business relationship, and that he would see that the Independent has the same access as other contractors.