I often hear portfolio viewings are crucial, yet I’ve never seen any locally or within driving distance. Should I consider traveling to a larger area such as NYC to have this done?
Yes, a one-on-one or group showing with your portfolio is extremely valuable. I’d highly recommend these for photographers at any stage of their career. Bring them some chocolate!
What is your process after you’ve on-boarded a new photographer? After discussing where the photographer wants to go and where their work would be a great fit, what is your strategy in regards to marketing? What is a rep’s game plan?
“Marketing Outreach” is a big topic; I could write a few pages! The overall strategy depends on what stage they are at in their career. Here is a started checklist:
As a part-time photographer, I’m wondering how I should go about potentially getting an agent. Should I even attempt to go through the process? Do agents consider part-time photographers seriously? I’m hoping to get more lifestyle/event/sports photography jobs in the future.
Reps will require full-time photographers, but we will help to make you full-time if we see a promising portfolio style/look/vibe that matches what clients are looking for. It’s usually back to the same thing – your portfolio. That is the bottom line truth of what makes or breaks everything we are going for.
How do you know when your book is strong enough to start marketing to potential clients? I’ve heard you only get one shot and only one first impression.
You get more than one shot because clients in larger cities change over often. When a client sees potential in your book, they will often want to see where you take it and be the one to help launch your career. Your book is strong enough when you start bidding on jobs.
Instagram IS IMPORTANT.
I’m sorry to say it, because I know it can feel like a bit of a nag, but it can’t be ignored.
3 reasons to up your Instagram game today:
1. It’s FREE marketing.
2. Clients often look at your Instagram before your website.
3. The game has changed, and Instagram is now an intrinsic part of the advertising paradigm.
Wait, so on one hand, we’re supposed to stick to shooting what we love rather than trying to chase trends, but on the other hand, we have to keep reinventing ourselves?
I know this is a tricky situation that all photographers face to stay fresh in our business. Reinventing means growth, and that growth happens within your own style. Some ways to do this include diversifying the look of the talent, adding props, changing up the location, etc. Expand to constantly push yourself while staying within the cohesive feeling of your portfolio.
Is my work worth repping–as in, am I good enough to warrant a rep and good enough to get jobs?
I’ll answer this one from the overall perspective of what every rep seeks. What is the ground-level first quick response that makes your portfolio “good enough” to warrant a rep and to get jobs?
You can’t be everything to everyone. Success is to have a portfolio that speaks highly to specific clients. Don’t try to bid on every job. Instead, win every job you bid on.
Once you do a test shoot, what is the best way to get this new work in front of the right audience?
As a rep, this is one of my favorite topics because this is the purpose of testing. Reps and consultants’ goals are all about shaping the long-road path. I call this- “growing forward.” Every test should have a client in mind, and with that comes the OUTREACH follow-through to share the images with the appropriate “warm” and “cold” potential clients. Outreach happens on all platforms, including personalized communication, to upgrade clients to a warmer level than where they are now. You want to be good enough to be on their list when that specific type of project comes up. This is either a monotonous process or a fine-tuned, distinct, mapped-out marketing plan.
Stay strong in your style. Don’t compromise your voice to be everything to everyone or you will get lost in the mix. It is your unique vision and execution which will set you apart from the pack and get you the job!
