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Seriously though it may help a few of them to locate professional photogs for some private group photos if the photog has time or maybe remind a few of them of someone that did have pics last year and they forgot to go look. ^^)

I'll grant that this list would help perhaps for those people looking.  There are just two problems:

1.  Finding known photographers to photograph groups and warning about other photographers who might be creepy are definitely two different topics altogether, and they really shouldn't be scrambled in one topic.  If the intent of the list really was to give a list of people who might be worth checking out to try to get pictures from, then really that list should be separated from this topic.

2.  I'd have less of an issue with this if it weren't for the fact that your statement presently comes as Fanime's cosplay gathering coordinator.  Stating an opinion as an individual is one thing.  However, as for the con, I'd have some expectation that the con would be  somewhat organization and individual neutral.  Classification-wise, there may be inequality (ie: press privileges over normal attendee privileges), but within such classifications, unless the con is going out of it's way to further classify individuals within the structure (say, cosplay photographers as a distinct group within press), my sense is that the con shouldn't be providing preferential treatment over and beyond that classification level.  And a list of individuals who do not carry a specific objectively determined set of criteria unique to only them has to be preferential to the individuals/organizations. 

Or in simpler terms, I dislike con staff treating one press organization as more important/powerful than another without particularly good reason, at least at the anime con level. Let the public and the organizations sort that out.

[unless the photographer is a standing member of staff or organization (read: you and Derek offhand, and whoever is acting on behalf of staff).]

Hello there Jason ^^) I haven't listed all the professional photographers out there and I wasn't sure who from i360 would be coming to shoot. Does that mean you are? The photographers list is mearly a list of photogs who frequent Fanime to shoot photos and where they are from. I would like to add your name to the list so that people can expect to find someone representing i360 shooting pics.

(snip)

I am not trying to do a disservice to any photographers out there because their name is not on the list that is why I added numbers. The ones I placed were the ones on the top of my head at the time. So PLEASE let me know whom from i360 will be coming and I will add them. ^^) I expected this list to have been the longest one out of all of them... :P

While I do know who is going from my group (and yes, I am one of them; I've missed I think only 1 Fanime in the last 5 years), my concern still stands that any such list you could create probably could not be all-inclusive of all the known cosplay photographers.  To me, this is a concern, because I'd rather there not be official recognition at the con level of anyone as a photographer unless the photographer is a standing member of staff or organization (read: you and Derek offhand, and whoever is acting on behalf of staff).

The problem is that one could argue anyone NOT on the list is at a distinct disadvantage.  Those with press badges probably should be held at slightly higher trust than anyone without it, if only because they are supposed to be at least looked over at least once, even if they can't and shouldn't be held in absolute trust.  That said, I'm pretty sure everyone or almost everyone you've listed actually will have a press badge or staff badge, and that includes our group for the most part.  So I'll stick to "thanks for the invitation, but I respectfully decline".

I have no objections with who you have on the list. I simply object to the idea of a list.

I wanted to clarify that I did state that a Press badge doesn't mean they are ok ...
"1. Look to see if they have a "FANIME CON" Press Badge.
Fanime-Con press badges are different from your attendee/staff/industry/guest/etc badges. They should say the name, company, badge number and PRESS on it.
A press badge from Fanime means that person/company has met the business/convention requirements to receive a badge and doesn't mean you don't have to trust your gut... ALWAYS Trust YOU first! "

So I changed it to this:
Pointers on How to tell if a photographer is professional: 8)
1. Look to see if they have a "FANIME CON" Press Badge.
Fanime-Con press badges are different from your attendee/staff/industry/guest/etc badges. They should say the name, company, badge number and PRESS on it.
A press badge from Fanime means that person/company has met the business/convention requirements to receive a badge and doesn't mean you don't have to trust your gut... ALWAYS Trust YOU first!

Ahh, okay. I did overlook that, and I apologize.

At Fanime I have noticed an increase in "Creepy" photographers since 2004 butthat number is but a handful compared to the numbers of polite or non-threatening photographers. Something like 1 creepy for every 10 polite :)

And this to me is a key and important point.  Like how swine flu really has been overplayed a bit in the press for being an issue, while there are enough questionable photographers to raise concern, I think emphasis needs to be on the fact that overall, con attendees are overall a safe and pleasant group to be with, including the photographers.  Fair enough to raise warning and such, but I want to make sure there isn't a big overreaction to things.

I too have noticed an increased number of them at comic, scifi, and outdoor event as compared to anime type events.

The thing that has me concerned is the average age of the attendee at a comic or scifi event is 20+ and the average age at an anime event is 15. My concern comes from the fact that so many children are there and less adults so the "Creepy" photogs can operate easier with in the confines of this youthful, innocent, excited, naive group who are still young enough to sort of "trust" the adults they come in contact with.
PLEASE NOTE the majority of us adults there are looking out for their safety and are to be trusted... BUT THEY MUST ALWAYS TRUST THEIR SELF FIRST!
That is where the possible problem could come into play. If all of us nice people look out for each other then the risk decreases. If everyone is much more aware of their surroundings, who to go to for help or advice, or know where a "Safe" area is then it lessens the chance even further.

It's true, admittedly. They can operate easier.  Most of the top post is fine, and I agree with the point of it (again, except the list).  The problem is I want to make sure that it's clear that list or not, most of us aren't threats.   It's a small caveat, but it's an important one.

I think as long as everyone's keeping a general eye for each other's backs and being a good citizen in terms of watching for the safety of the group in general, this problem is containable without needing to dig into things like whitelists.  Admittedly, blacklists are more problematic, but neither of these seem a better solution to me than just listing the warnings.  That's all.

[every]

Al, I'm going to have to take objection at that line.  There are definitely a number of creepy photographers out there, but I honestly do not believe they overwhelm the number of polite, or at least non-threatening ones. 

Who is this, btw?  Only 3 posts here on the forums suggests a newbie, but seeing "i360" makes it sound like I know you.  Perhaps I was mistaken by saying there are more creepy-photographers at every con, and that's not the case for smaller conventions.  I guess it's just my witnessing of a large amount of these people at conventions like WonderCon, San Diego Comic Con, and Dragon-con.  The three I've mentioned are sci-fi/comic conventions, but I just don't want to see more anime conventions turning into these examples.  This year's CBFParade was a good example about how the # of creepy-photographers increased more and more each year. 

We'll see come 2 weeks..

Well, obviously, I don't spend too much time on these forums (or on forums much anymore, to be honest.  Unfortunately, I've been really quiet on CosCom too as of late), because I waste way too much time on LJ anyway.  If I spent a lot of time posting on every forum for a convention I go to, I'd probably go a little nuts.  So of course my post count's going to be a little low.  It is me, Al.  I've been Jason as long as I know.  I am who my sig says I am, as there'd be little reason to impersonate a guy like me anyway.  At least, I hope so.  :P  I'm kind of surprised I remembered I had this account, as the last time I think I used this I was posting links to pictures up years ago (I've been lazy about that too; I need to fix that).  I don't use this handle often, only when I'm bored and don't feel like going by some variant of first initial last name instead.

The issue I have isn't with the idea that there aren't creepy photographers out there.  We both know there are, and they probably exist at every event.  Admittedly, being stuck down here in So. Cal, I couldn't see how many people there were out in force at the CBF, but that's more of an open-to-the-public type event anyway, one where the audience isn't there to see anime or cosplay.  I just don't like the idea of thinking that there are more of them out there than there are people who are just doing this and having fun.  I'm not worried about the vast majority of photographers out there.  There's no reason to be.  There's plenty of reason to worry about the few questionable ones, but I believe they are few, and they generally aren't so sophisticated as to not be noticeable.

Yes, those three events will likely have more of them.  Those events are also driven by the public at large.  D*C's nature doesn't help it.  I've definitely had my share of issues with some of the attendees at SDCC, especially drunk masquerade hecklers. :/

I'd rather people not be scared and not be willing to have pictures taken though just because a few bad eggs are out there ruining things for everyone else.  A little common sense goes a long way.

[straight cosplay con photography doesn't count as official press, much less private shoots]

I had a feeling a topic like this would be like opening a can of worms

Some people just don't take the subject seriously enough..

There are just too many creepy photographers and pervs that outnumber the polite photographers.  That's the case at EVERY convention..

Al, I'm going to have to take objection at that line.  There are definitely a number of creepy photographers out there, but I honestly do not believe they overwhelm the number of polite, or at least non-threatening ones.  I guess I have a little bit more faith in humanity and con attendees on this one.  If the majority of con photographers really were creeps, the best recommendation would then become "don't have your picture taken at all unless you know who it is".  And that's counterproductive overall.

This is inaccurate.

Obviously you haven't applied for Press badges. I always get turned away because
straight cosplay con photography doesn't count as official press, much less private shoots.

Depends on your con.  At some cons, this has been plenty sufficient to get a press badge.  At some cons, frankly, this is even MORE than sufficient.  This is from someone who has gotten press badges before and have known some of the people who have.

====

As for BSaphire's advice, while these are definitely indicators of a professional photographer, the problem is that press badges at some cons haven't been as hard to get perhaps as they should be.  As such, I would suggest not taking that as a be-all-end-all.  There is more at risk, admittedly, but this is definitely not a foolproof indicator by any means.  The remainder (courteousness, willingness to show pictures) are still fair signs, but these are also signs of someone who is being respectful as a photographer. 

If in doubt, definitely ask to see their photos (thank God for digital).  Ask for a business card/website.  But otherwise, I think in this regard, common sense is a good indicator to begin.  If you pay attention to what they're doing, hopefully you can catch them before they do something stupid.  Other than that, treat them as a stranger until you know better.  While it can't eliminate the snipers, this should at least help avoid most problems.  And if you do not trust your common sense well enough to know better, it always helps to have a friend with a second opinion.

And hell, strike up a conversation with some of us.  You'd be surprised how many of us are happy and willing to make friends and explain things.

And while I'd argue I could fit on that list you've created, BSaphire, I think it does a great disservice to create such a list that is so narrowly inclusive that potentially the wrong idea might be given: that whoever ISN'T on that list isn't to be trusted.  There are plenty of people who are NOT on that narrow list, who have been doing photography long enough that they've got the trust of several people who know them well, who have published good, even great photos, who are going to be at Fanime.  So for the purposes of keeping in line, don't let this be a note to include me.  I'd rather not.

Besides, I can keep plenty busy without people finding out I'm trustworthy. ;)

2 out of 3 photographers done for our group.  Please take a look!

http://i360.com/events/fanime2006/

Who is the third photographer not done?

And guys, whatever you do stay away from the 18th thumbnail on page 2.  >>;;;;

::semi-threadjack on::Oh, it's like that whole 4 out of 5 doctors thing.  There always has to be someone who doesn't fall into the collected pool of agreeables.

(Actually, it's Aldo who isn't done yet.  But I like the other explanation more.)

And with that...  ::semi-threadjack off::

2 out of 3 photographers done for our group.  Please take a look!

http://i360.com/events/fanime2006/