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!
When you talk about the rising importance of “content,” are you referring to the necessity of photographers to post more and better content, the necessity of clients to produce more content and hence hire photographers more often, or both?
When I refer to the importance of content, I am talking about both: photographers need to create more content, as do clients. And hey, reps too. We all need to constantly be creating and posting content in today’s business world.
How and when do you get a rep? I’ve heard it’s when you have enough clients, but I think I mostly want one to help me get more clients and the type I want.
You get a rep when you are ready. Is your work marketable? If so, reps will find you. If you need a rep’s help to make yourself marketable, it is a rarity that they will pick you up since it will mean they are working for free. Usually at that stage a consultant is best.
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.
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?
This is a big question and I could probably write pages! The overall marketing strategy for a photographer really depends on what stage they are at in their career. Some need to revise their website while others need to print a mailer promo. The game plan often begins by figuring out who their potential clients would be (based on the categories in their portfolio) and then emailing all potential clients a “hello” + a link to their work. We create specialized client lists based on what category we are targeting, and I also like to give the photographer a list of 10 “hot” clients to email directly every month. We structure their entire marketing plan which includes social media, portfolio meetings with clients, and upcoming tests.
What’s the best advice you can give a photographer who is seeking representation?
Best advice to find a rep is to email the reps that interest you. All we want to do is check out your website. If you know people in the business you can ask around and get the word out there that you are looking.
5 REASONS WHY
I’M NOT REPPING YOU
1. You aren’t the kind of photographer I represent.
2. You have a bad reputation.
3. Your work isn’t strong enough yet.
4. Your work doesn’t have a strong vision or sense of direction.
5. You don’t conduct yourself in a professional manner.
Andrea, what do you look for in a photographer?
I look for a talented photographer and one that I feel I can help to bring out their very best. 20 years in this business has shown me that it is this dynamic that leads to jobs. This is what it means for me to represent a photographer. I represent them. They come up with who they are and I manage and shape the marketing strategy.
I’m their voice to the larger world, so they have to be someone I feel proud to speak for. They must have solid talent or we won’t get very far. They also have to confidently know their creative talents because I will take that and run with it. Who they are and the quality of their portfolio shapes the direction and I just take that further.
What would you say are the pros and cons of being represented?
The pros and cons of being represented are really just about having the right rep for you. Say you are repped by someone your clients don’t know or respect and you also stop doing your own marketing, those would be cons.
One pro of having the right rep is that they can get your work seen by the right clients. They also help you shape your marketing/direction/style and negotiate your bids. All of this really depends on what your market is. I have found that it is harder to rep a photographer who shoots just about everything vs a photographer who is known for one look.
What a rep needs from you is something to say. Tests, new work, web content, a story, anything to give us something to share about you.
