Reps

Q:

Do you know of a rep who would take a photographer of my style and skill level? I realize I’m very likely not a good fit for SternRep, but perhaps you know of someone I could work with. 

A:

Questions that run through my mind when I get this question:

1. Does the photographer fit into what the rep specializes in? 

2. Who are the photographer’s clientele, and do they match that rep’s quality level?

3. Does the style flow with the others on their roster? 

4. Is there an agent known for this type of look/feel? 

5. What level or stage is this photographer in, and are they ready for a rep? 

6. Would this photographer fit into a specific location or part of the country and need a rep in this area?

7. Do I know this photographer, or do I get a good feeling from them? Can I contact other reps for them? 

Big truth: REPS NEED MATERIAL. I always say, “Give me something to say and something to show.” 

Big Untruth: I’m a creative/artistic business owner, so I get the day off when I’m not on a paid job. 

You are your marketing department, whether you are repped or not, and just like any business owner, you must constantly feed the marketing of your business. Your growth is based on your new ideas, and this never stops! You are being hired for your ideas, and your idea-making skill-set must be seen constantly in your marketing. 

Q:

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?

A:

“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:

• Website portfolio revision and clean-up stage
• Dream client list creation
• Testing needed for long-term roadmap clarity
• Spruce up and revamp all portfolio and listing sites like Behance, LinkedIn, IG, etc.
• Get the word out (big topic)
• Create the schedule for who does what and when

Q:

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.

A:

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.

Q:

Is my work worth repping–as in, am I good enough to warrant a rep and good enough to get jobs?

A:

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?

• images are a cohesive unit summarizing what you do

• image grouping sections are a quick-read summarized to fit the topic at hand clearly

• the website presentation is clean, swift, and easy with high-grade design

• images are unique; style shows off a talent unlike others

• the artist is a high-level level, experienced professional to assure the client will get what they pay for

Q:

Hi Andrea! I want to ask what your relationships are like with your roster. Have you met with them all in person, even those not in the same city/state? How often do you meet in person with your roster? Is this important?

A:

SternRep is a smaller agency with a smaller roster, and we like to keep it more personal in a teammate way. We don’t have to meet in person these days, but we all want to get a good sense of who we are and how we work. Knowing as much as possible before committing to a long-term contract can save us a lot of time. I like to ask around to get other’s input. When I started repping, I’d ask the photographer’s assistants and producers how the photographer treated the crew on set. That was my quick, detective way to find the kind people. Ask around!

Q:

What is considered a standard “book” for somebody seeking representation…

Is it a website? A physical book? Something else?

A:

The standard book question does not have an absolute answer, but it is good to have a website, an active Instagram presence, and a printed book. An iPad can be your portfolio, although printed books are the hot item.

Q:

What would you say are the pros and cons of being represented?

A:

While some photographers don’t need or want a rep as they feel they can handle it better on their own, I of course believe that us REPS can be the all-encompassing teammate elevating the photographer’s brand. The key to this is to have the RIGHT REP, as we are all different in our approach and which clients we focus on. Instagram and other platforms make it easier for photographers to build their brand, so it depends if you have the qualities to do it better yourself.

Q:

How do I find an a-la-carte rep (e.g., I imagine not every rep offers these services), and is there a ballpark of how much commission they’d need to make to rep you for said job? I imagine a job where the photographer makes $ 1,000 wouldn’t qualify.

A:

Most reps do “a-la-carte” repping; others, like consultants, producers, and Wonderful Machine, do this for a commission or hourly rate. A $1,000 fee does not sound worth “a-la-carte repping” for anyone, including you unless this client carries a long-term high value for your branding.

Q:

Does a rep evaluate whether a certain project is actually RIGHT for that photographer’s aesthetic before agreeing to bid on that project?

A:

Yes, reps help shape the work that may be helpful (or not) to a photographer’s career. Reps are the managerial presence to keep the focus on track. I’ve seen time wasted and directions sway by taking on off-path time-consuming projects. Consultants are also a good source of these short-term or long-term considerations; photographers should carefully readjust with focal goals.