How can I become represented? It’s always been a dream to stand out and have reps on my side.
Get your book as strong as you can, find your specialty and build a cohesive portfolio. Find the reps that work in your industry and approach them with a personal and quick email. The quality of your work will speak for itself and doors will open. Just get your work out there once it’s ready!
Shoot tests & evaluate your portfolio constantly. A strong book is what gets your foot in the door. Images speak for themselves.
How does a photographer transition from working with small, often-client direct companies to working with bigger clients and ad agencies?
The biggest difference between getting Client Direct and Ad Agency work is a photographer’s portfolio. Client direct companies will be more understanding of a wide variety of images. Ad agencies have so many photographers to choose from that they will choose the one who specializes in that one specific topic that they are looking for. The smaller, in-house companies will often use one photographer for all of their photo needs. If Ad Agencies are your goal, identify your specialty and commit to excellence in that category.
How do you work with a client with little to no budget? Do you work with them at all?
Budget is always the issue. Every level of photographer deals with this and it always comes back to the overall marketing plan. Where are you in your career? Will this image be helpful to you? Will it solidify a future relationship or be a good image for your portfolio? The bottom line question is: will this “lack of budget” still allow for a quality image? If the answer to that question is no, I’d suggest turning down the job.
I often hear portfolio viewings are so 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 a photographer at any level of their career. Bring them some chocolate!
Do you think Instagram promotion is a good way to reach ad agencies and Art Directors? Do you or your photographers use it for promotion? The world is changing, so we have to change with it!
Yes, definitely use Instagram as it is the new portfolio. Hashtags get photographers seen and can lead to bidding on a job. We definitely use it and you’re right – the world is changing in a big way and we need to flow with it.
What if a photographer seeking a representative isn’t an American citizen? Could it be a problem if you are not a native English speaker?
A rep is just like a client, and what we care for mostly is a strong portfolio/website/Instagram.
For photographers “just starting out,” what are some test shoots every photographer should have in their portfolio? Liquid? Automotive? Lifestyle?
Photographers starting out should choose the area that really interests them. Do the tests that really intrigue you when you see others. One way to do that is to go through other photographer’s websites to check out all the different industry options.
As Director of Operations at SternRep, I spend a lot of my time looking through photographers’ images.
Sometimes as I am examining someone’s body of work I find a magic spark somewhere in their portfolio. Something pops out at me. An image or series that is set apart from the rest.
Something highly marketable, different, bold, unique, and really well done. But mixed in with lots of other stuff in their portfolio.
Sometimes it’s actually about cleaning out your portfolio, of anything that does not have this magic spark. It’s about finding your spark and then expanding your portfolio based on what makes your work strong and different. It’s kind of like your own magical thread that you need to follow to be successful in the commercial market, explore more, grow, and expand.
But if the photographer can’t see or feel or want to follow it, there’s no forcing it…
Guest Post: Olivia Katz
Director of Operations, SternRep
Never underestimate the power of self-assigned projects. Integrating work into your portfolio that’s conceptualized and executed by you is one terrific way to expand your photography business into new ventures.
Guest Post: Wonderful Machine + Mellissa Pascale
Originally published on Wonderful Machine Member Blog
