Photo-agent?

[craig_hoover]

How do you go about getting an agent? I feel my work is now good enough and my tutor at college has said I should try to get an agent.

 

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How?

[ralph_barker]

My impression is that photographers' agents are somewhat like bank

loans - you first need to demonstrate that you don't need it before

they'll give it to you. In other words, few productive agents are

interested in photographers who don't already have a consistent track

record of image sales. At least that's the impression I've gotten from

talking to people within that market. I'm sure there are also "agents"

who will sign unproven photographers for a fee, as well, but a healthy

dose of caveat emptor is probably appropriate.

 

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I haven't heard of any Leica-specific agents, however. ;-)

[virgil]

Craig,there is only one way to find an agent and it's called

footwork.When I was looking for an agent here in England I packed up

my portfolio in a sturdy leather case and went around nearly every

agency in the south of England.

 

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You can be sure that if you aren't good enough,and I'm not saying you

aren't,they will tell you.Be prepared for rejection and know that if

you are accepted it will be by the last agent you visit! I saw 39

agents in a week and it was the very last one I went to that was

interested.They won't say yes there and then,so make sure you have a

mobile phone and take it everywhere with you(even to the 'smallest

room' in the house!).

 

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So,don't sit around and hope that you will be 'discovered',this

rarely,if ever happens.

 

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Good luck.

[virgil]

"I'm sure there are also "agents" who will sign unproven

photographers for a fee, as well, but a healthy dose of caveat emptor

is probably appropriate"

 

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Ralph,that is very true and VERY important.

 

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Craig,if any 'agent'offers to take you on for a fee just walk

away,zip-up your portfolio and decline.

[lawrence_beck1]

Excellent answer, Ralph. Sounds like you are speaking from

experience. Your analogy is most appropriate.

 

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A distinction should be made between "fine artists" and

"comercial artists" with respect to agents. I don't mean to imply

that commercial artists produce work that is any less "fine"... as

the word is defined. Rather, "fine artists" generally produce work

as a manifestation of their need for creative expression

irrespective of the needs of the client. They produce... because it

does their heart good... and if someone likes the work and buys

it , that's the ultimate compliment.

 

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The commercial artist, be they fashion, product, architectural or

whatever... is producing something for the market. There are

lots of agents for commercial photographers. They find you work

based on the potential they see in your book. There are some

excellent ones... and there are some "dogs that won't hunt." The

latter poses as a legitimate rep when in reality, as Ralph

implied, they only represent artists who have established name

recognition and a "credible client base." In short, they are little

more than high priced order takers. Try the Artist's Market and

The Photographer's Market for starters. These books are

updated annually and can be found in most chain bookstores.

 

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Case in point: I was referred to an agent some years ago by a

friend who couldn't believe that I was having trouble finding

markets for my work (the common dilemma of the fine artist...) I

set up an appointment with a rep and the big day arrived.

 

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She entered my apartment dressed in a dark brown polyester

jacked covered with dandruff. She stood transfixed... looking at

the 50x60" pieces of African Wildlife, dunes from the Namib and

colorful architectural pieces from Central America... all framed in

exotic hardwoods from all over the world. She finally asked:

"Where have you been hiding? Why haven't I heard of you? This

is the kind of work I'd buy if I could find it!"

 

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I told her that I hadn't put it out there... apart from a gallery in

Carmel. CA. and San Francisco. When I told her this... she

changed her tune. I asked her what her fee was. She

responded with: "I normally charge 25%, but for you... it would

have to be more like 40% because you're an "unknown

commodity" and it's going to be much harder to sell your work!"

 

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She required five portfolios and mailings to send out to potential

clients. I asked for her advice as to which images she'd like to

see in my portfolios (so as to "tailot the books to her market

needs) and her response was "Well, if I give you that information,

I'll have to charge you a consulting fee!"

 

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With that, I showed her to the door and all but booted her into the

street. Apologies for the lengthy answer... but this is your "reality

check."

 

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Lawrence

[steven_alexander1]

Fotofest in Houston, TX is a goood place to attempt to sell

yourself. Sorry I can not find info on my desk right now. Try web.

 

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It is maybe too late to go this time; however, if you are interested

in "fine art" photography, not journalism or commerical then this

is one place to hang out.

[nesrani]

All of the above is true I'm sure. I'd just add that there are plenty

of big agencies that'll take you on as a contributor, but that

doesn't mean they'll market your work actively. It'll sit there until

a client needs that picture.

 

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My advice would be to find a small, energetic agency with a good

photographer/marketing personnel ratio. Also, look for an agency in

each of your markets - i.e. you should be looking for a US agent, a

British agent and a European agent. If you're producing good work,

they shouldn't have a problem with that.

 

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You also need to think very carefully about who and how you want to

publish your work, and what your identity is, and push that very

actively. They are n't going to tell you what to do, you have to tell

them what yhou want them to do for you.

[nesrani]

Let me just add that many magazine photo editors are very friendly to

new photographers, but they never (and in fact nobody ever does)

answer their email unless they know you. Send them a CD or something

and follow it up with a call after a suitable lapse of time. If you

have a good story or feature, they'll often be happy to see your work

and talk. But it is frightening! I'm very bad at cold contacts.

 

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The fact is that everybody wants to be a snapper these days and it's

very competitive. Good luck.

[virgil1]

"The fact is that everybody wants to be a snapper these days and it's

very competitive"

 

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That's the truth! I know that here in the UK every kid with a camera

wants to be the next big thing in fashion or skateboard photography.

 

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My advise to newcomers is to get your foot in the door and keep it

there.

[leonid]

I have been thinking about doing this for a while . I have met

quite a few people who tell me my stuff is marketable ( already

screwed up one sale because I lost my negatives : ( ) . My

problem is uncertainty in approaching an agent ( or gallery ) . Do

you make an appointment , or just come in ? Anyone know about

anything in the washington dc area ?

[peter_hughes1]

<i>I feel my work is now good enough and my tutor at college has said

I should try to get an agent.</i><p>No offense, sonny, but your tutor

at college?! I've been doing this for forty years and I just got an

agent a couple of years ago. Oh how I love the arrogance of youth! A

Kid with a Kamera!

[Robin Smith]

I agree with a lot that has been said. If you are good enough that you

can sell photos no problem already, but feel that there a greater

sales to be had, then try and find one. But I don't think an agent

will be much help unless you are already a "going concern". Beware

agents that sign you up (for an exclusive) but then do absolutely

nothing for you. This is very common. I am not a pro, but personally I

think to be successful you have to hustle and get the work yourself,

giving it to some agent is unlikely to make you a star. The same

applies to book publshing by the way. Once you become famous, funnily

enough, you will find many people eager to represent you!

 

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So, be careful. Personally, like Peter says, I doubt you really need

one at this stage, but I hope I am proved wrong.

[nesrani]

"Oh how I love the arrogance of youth! A Kid with a Kamera! "

 

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I note that having a real soul and being a witch doesn't make you any

more generous than normal mortals, Peter. Even you were probably a

kid (albeit a witch kid) once, with a camera.

 

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Craig, you've heard more nays than yeas here, which is hardly

surprising. If you really are a good snapper and are prepared to

invest in developing your interests and marketing them, I'll sure

you'll be a success.