How do you quickly evaluate a photographer’s Instagram account?
My usual way to quickly “judge” a photographer’s IG account is to see when they last posted on their grid. It’s not about the number of followers that makes them a photographer to take seriously; it is how often and how active they are with their second website.
Once a photographer secures a rep, can we feel relieved knowing that the rep will secure regular work for us, maybe once a month or more? I believe this is an essential question since photography is a precarious profession, and I’m curious if representation can mitigate this.
Simple answer: NO
Think of it like this: a rep can open doors, but it’s still you and your portfolio showing up to those meetings.
We have the contacts, and you have the goods. The real question is: what do you need in order to land the jobs? Is the answer something where a rep can help you grow your portfolio and make you more findable or credible with exposure? Figuring this out before you look for a rep may save you time and help you determine whether a rep is truly the right path for you.
I’ve been thinking of reaching out to agencies, both local and international, to get represented. Do you have any tips on how to do this? I don’t want to make a bad first impression with a terribly worded email.
Good point! Don’t overthink the wording. If you are already represented and looking for a change, you can be honest about that. If you have never been repped and are newer to the business, keep it short because reps understand what you’re asking. It’s not always easy for us to say no, so consider emailing a thoughtful question or something relatable to start building a relationship, rather than putting pressure on a yes/no response. Reps know what you’re saying and, if we’re interested, we’ll continue the conversation. We are happy to see a quick rundown of your situation, giving us a sense of the kind and confident person you are, but the more you say to us, the more we don’t read what you are saying. Make it easy for a rep who gets many of these emails a day.
A bit of a personal share, as one major part of my representing world is two other reps with whom I have weekly check-in chats for many years now. I never thought I’d be able to trust others in our business, as I was warned against it. Well, I gotta say this is what gets me through. Not feeling alone in this business may be crossing a risky line, but it may be well worth the investment. 🩷 @bigleoproductions @poppycreative
Do photographers need to be repped anymore?
Photographers, directors, CGI, AI, etc, do not NEED to be repped the way they used to. Years ago, we were the primary means of reaching clients, whereas now clients have a direct path to you. The decision-making question now is: what will serve you the best to secure the most jobs, maximize potential fees, have overall support and marketing outreach on your own or with an agent partner? You can now weigh the odds and see where you stand in your situation.
What are the most important things to include in a bid?
Some MUST ADDS to every bid:
1. Specifics of what the bid is based on (image count, variations, amount, and schedule of days, the deliverables, etc.)
2. Usage licensing terms and copyright rights
3. Gear charges even when you own your equipment
4. Timelines and deadlines to clear up how many hours per day are included (pre-overtime), and when and how they will receive the final images
5. Anything you are expecting them to cover or supply
6. Advance invoice amount and date requirements
Every Photographer can have that REP MENTALITY mindset, no matter your situation. Your job is to continuously keep your REP (Mentality) excited by actively feeding your marketing supply chain.
What is your “agent mentality” improvement approach to losing a job?
• What can you learn to do better
• What other skills do you need to add to your wheelhouse
• What are the strategic positives and negatives of how this went down
• Were there options you wish you had tried
• Did you sell your technical skills properly, mirroring back what the client needed to hear
• Where does this one fit in your statistical analysis in your overall directional trajectory
How do you get a rep to look at your email?
Address it to the right person, keep it short, and link them to your website.
Do you ever find photographers or directors on Instagram?
I have definitely found image makers I want to rep on Instagram as that is the place to find them. Instagram isn’t the only way to show images; it is the platform to come alive on a more one-on-one basis and ENGAGE with more of a personal approach.
