I’ve reached a point in my photography where I don’t know how to price and market myself, also I don’t know how to find the right representation. I was wondering how that process works?
A:
These areas are what all photographers are dealing with, even those who have been working for a while because times change. In general though, we do have some solid support in our industry like all the great webinars happening, Wonderful Machine, Amy V Cooper Consulting (www.amyvcooper.com) and my temp rep services to name a few. The most important part to this answer is to build your system and keep growing.
Navigating the Unknown Episode 8 is now live on YouTube! This week we speak to artist reps Mary Dail and Traci Terrick again to answer all your questions about reps.
Navigating the Unknown is a Q&A series in collaboration with APA-LA where we speak to different members of the photo community about all aspects of the commercial photography business. https://la.apanational.org/
How do you recognize a good rep? What are the signs of an agency that genuinely wants to speak in your best interests?
A:
I’m going to answer this question in a big way since it’s such a significant decision. A “good rep” for you may not be the right rep for another photographer. You have some work to do before you jump into anything.
What support qualities would help you grow and shine? What type of people resonate with you, what size rep agency feels really right for you?
After checking out rep’s sites + social media, which have the look/feel/brand that your work fits with? Do you prefer a small or larger rep agency and is their location significant to your type of clients? Does the rep you are interested in charge a fee? Some reps do your production and billing which may or may not work for you. What are the terms of the rep’s contract? Do you already have house accounts that could benefit from a reps support or do you need a rep to agree with not taking a commission (or a lower commission) on those for a certain amount of time? Know your terms and requirements which can help you choose a rep.
The most important factor in your search is to know your own questions to ask reps and then truly listen to their responses.
And most of all, do you like who they are? Do they have a good reputation with clients and other photographers?
In literal terms, you want someone who will REPRESENT who you are. If all of this feels right, then I’d think they genuinely will be speaking in your best interests.
Navigating the Unknown Episode 7 is now live on YouTube! This week we speak to artist reps Mary Dail and Traci Terrick to answer all your questions about reps. How to find a rep, when to get a rep, what reps do and be biggest myths about reps.
Navigating the Unknown is a Q&A series in collaboration with APA-LA where we speak to different members of the photo community about all aspects of the commercial photography business. https://la.apanational.org/
So many factors that lead to a rep signing a photographer. Portfolio of course, are you marketable to my client base, communication style–ultimately for me it comes down to my guy. For example, Jeff Stockwell had an Instagram spread that really grabbed my attention and if you look, I think you’ll understand what I mean. That spoke to me!
How do you even start going about the hunt for a rep?
A:
You want a rep who also wants you! Do your research on Workbook.com to find where your images would fit best within the rep’s specific genres. Email us something short + sweet with your website link and a referral if we know someone in common. It really should be that simple because reps are looking for you as well. Talk to other photographers about their reps to get their feedback. Make sure you are ready for a rep, but that is a whole other topic we will be discussing on my Webinar this week, “All About Reps.”
Reps are looking for what clients are looking for. Bring your solutions to today’s issues and you will find more open rep doors than before.
We are all dealing with current issues like diversity, social distancing, and maintaining safety. Addressing these issues can be crucial, and right now is a good time to do so because the opportunities might be more open. However, it’s important to research the right reps for you. Look for reps who have clients and a style that aligns with your work and branding. Not every rep will be a good fit. I recommend reaching out via email or Instagram rather than making phone calls. Find a rep who is genuinely interested in representing you, as their response will indicate if it’s the right time to move forward.
I’ve heard from several people in the business that you don’t need representation unless you are too busy to book and manage the business yourself. How true is this?
A:
Most photographers would do better having a rep’s overall support. Some types of photographers may do well on their own if they handle their own social media marketing. If you have the skills that a full-time rep would bring to your business, then you can always do it on your own, but if you aren’t the best negotiator then the bottom-line question is, would a rep protect and negotiate higher fees for you?
How does an unrepresented photographer stay in the game through this?
A:
I do think unrepresented photographers need to up their game right now to match the problem solving communication reps are offering to clients. Reps tend to be in touch with clients even when it’s not about specific jobs. Photographers are usually in touch with clients when it’s about a job. So proactively engage more, reach out, and contact more on a personal level. I always say, know your audience and what they are experiencing. Well, right now people are needing people and true connection. Go out there (online) and get to know each other.
How do you feel the agent/photographer relationship will change?
A:
I felt the agent/photographer relationship shifting a bit in the last couple years where more photographers weren’t requiring representation the way they used to because of all the open public channels of social media. Although right now that seems to be swaying back as I’m hearing from clients who are searching for options from larger groups (reps) to figure out who can even shoot right now. This seems like a real person-to-person time right now, under these conditions the old school relationships are what people are leaning on. It’s hard for me to say how this will affect the future but it’s what I’m noticing right now.
