Many photographers dream of the 24-hour interval they can focus solely on shooting and non worry about hustling to get new clients. This is where photography agents or reps can come into play and generously heave your photo business organization. Like to existent estate agents and talent agents, a photography agent exists to help you manage sure aspects of your business and ultimately help you get more clients. Only are you lot prepare to work with a photography amanuensis? In this post, we'll explore how photography agents work, when you're ready to approach one, and how to pitch your work to them.

How do photography agents work?

A photography amanuensis is also known equally a photograph representative (rep), but from here on out, we'll refer to them as agents. In brusque, they help match photographers with clients. Typically, a photography agent has deep connections with clients in need of photo services. The agent handles the business side of things, such as setting up assignments, negotiating fees, and ultimately giving y'all guidance to move your photography career forrad. Sounds like a lucifer made in sky, huh?

Photography reps

Types of photo agents

Today, there are a broad diversity of photography agents out there and they all might operate slightly differently. Some agents focus on a item genre of photography, such as way, architecture, music, or event. Other agents might specialize according to a specific type of client, such as corporate or editorial. Some agents merely work with photographers located in a specific expanse, whereas others will piece of work nationally or internationally based photographers. It all depends on the specific approach of the photography agent.

What photo agents don't practice

While photo agents tin certainly be helpful for finding you piece of work and boosting your exposure, they do non manage your entire business organization. You still handle your own bookkeeping and bookkeeping, procuring the camera gear y'all demand, and executing every attribute of the photo shoot that your agents books for yous. In fact, most photo agents practise not give yous plenty continuous work to support your business full-time. That is to say, photograph agents can supplement your client list, but you will withal likely accept to do your own marketing and promotions on the side.

My experience with photo agents

Throughout my 5 years as a professional photographer, I've worked with a handful of photo agents, by and large in the sectors of concert and corporate event photography. In every instance, photo agents supplement my existing client base of operations and only generate a part-time living for me. I however work very hard to find my own clients. Almost of the time, I've been approached past photography agents as a result of being recommended by a colleague or friend. Thus, I am a house laic in networking with every bit many people as possible, because you never know which connections will jump start your career.

I'm treated like a freelance photographer, where the photo agent contacts me (often out of the blue) request if I'chiliad available during a certain timeframe. The photograph charge per unit is pre-negotiated, and then all I take to do is accept or decline the offer. After the photo shoot is confirmed by the agent, he or she sends me the contact info of the client and information technology's up to me to work out the creative aspects of the photo shoot. Photos are due that same day and more than frequently than non, clients want to pre-approve every image I submit. They might do this by having me shoot tethered or they will scrutinize my RAW, unedited images immediately later the shoot is over. Either way, it is a nerve-wracking experience that I've been forced to reckon with.

Not anybody's experience with photograph agents will exist the same equally mine. Just based on my experience, I can attest that y'all need to be 100% confident in your photography skills and power to communicate and work with a wide variety of clients. The photography industry is also very pocket-size and tight-knit, so it helps to know as many people equally possible.

photo rep agency

Are you ready for a photography agent?

Virtually every photographer who has worked with an agent ends up with more opportunities as a result. However, before you kickoff chasing agents, it'due south important to assess yourself and make up one's mind if you are a desirable candidate for them. Just similar a job interview, the process of seeking a photography agent is about making sure the agent is a good match for you, and vice-versa. It has to be a win-win relationship to work. Hither are several qualities you should have before pursuing a photo agent.

one. You've worked with photograph clients on a professional ground.

Have yous done professional photography gigs yet? If not, this can be a negative matter in the eyes of a photography agent. Here's why. When a photo agent sends you lot on assignment, y'all're representing the agent's brand and reputation. Most of the time, the amanuensis won't exist there to oversee the photo shoot, so you are expected to get along with the client and execute the shoot no matter what. While a photo agent can sometimes be a mentor and assist you drag your skill, they don't have the time to help you develop a professional career from scratch. Typically, they will only consider working with proven professionals.

Pro Tip: Include a Customer Listing or Instance Studies on your photography portfolio to demonstrate your professional experience. Proper noun dropping is important and can actually help if you and the photo amanuensis have connections in common. If you don't however accept professional feel, become some! Don't approach a photo rep without it.

two. You have a consistent photography mode.

This goes along with the to a higher place tip. The photo agent has to know what style of photography yous specialize in so that they know which jobs or clients you would piece of work best with. You should also be able to replicate your photography style or vision no matter what. It's i affair to take a great motion-picture show by yourself, and quite another to practice it under pressure level or with a client over your shoulder.

Photo agents besides prefer unique styles non currently represented by their current roster of photographers. They don't want any crossover or competition between their photographers. So it helps to do your homework and get familiar with the work of the photographers already nether the agent'southward wing. Understand the demand that you might be filling and why the photo amanuensis would value working with you.

3. You lot have a solid photography portfolio website.

In the past, photographers would impress books and physical handouts to send to photo agents and prospective clients. Today, there's still a sure type of photographer that will take this approach. However, I'k a pretty firm believer in saving on the cost of printing and investing those resource into a solid online presence. Your photography portfolio website should be your number one business organization. Keep in listen that most people, including photo agents, volition spend mere seconds scanning your portfolio website. As a event, make sure that website looks professional, downloads fast, has intuitive navigation, and highlights your very all-time work.

Instead of direct mail service flyers, pamphlets, and newsletters, invest your fourth dimension and energy into curating your social media feeds. Update and make clean up your Facebook (personal profile and business organization page), Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Do a Google search for yourself and make sure you edit and control the content on equally many of those search results equally possible. Every photo agent and every prospective customer will certainly Google y'all, so take command of those search results.

Photography reps

How do you find a photograph agent?

Finding a photograph agent is much like finding a new customer. As I stated above, I strongly believe that personal recommendations are the all-time style to get. But yous tin can also approach agents directly. Start with evaluating what type of agent you're looking for. Practice you want an amanuensis that focuses on specific photography genres, works with a specific type of client or operates in a certain geographic region? Determine these qualities first.

Based on those qualities, start searching for an agent! There are two primary means to practise this. Starting time, you can look for lists of photo agents. The Agent List and At-Edge are two neat online resources worth exploring. 2nd, you can inquire Google for ideas. Below are some screenshots of some Google search results I establish past plugging in my specific qualities I would seek in a photography agent (in my case, "Seattle" and "food"). Consider varying your search terms to meet if different results pop upwardly (ie. "photo amanuensis" versus "photograph rep). Click the screenshots below to enlarge.

Tips for Budgeted a Photograph Amanuensis

Go along your email short and sugariness.

Keeping in mind that photography agents are busy people, make your e-mail brusk and to the point. Introduce yourself briefly, and provide a link to your portfolio. As well, offer to run into in person or speak over the phone. Remember that the photographer-amanuensis relationship is all about establishing trust, and so you will absolutely need to personally interact with the agent at some point before moving forrad.

Sample Email Pitch

Hullo!

My name is ____ and I am a _____ lensman based in Seattle. I've been a professional photographer for ____ years and accept worked with a vast bulk of clients including ____, ______, _____. At this betoken in my career, I am seeking photography representation and thought your bureau might be a adept fit because ______.

Delight browse through my portfolio here: [Insert link]

If you similar what you see and remember we might exist a good fit, I'd dearest to chat with you lot more. I tin can be reached at [Insert your phone number].

Thanks for your time!

Understand that photography agents are busy people.

Since the explosion of digital photography, information technology's increasingly tougher for photographers to become the attention of photo reps. They probably get dozens if not hundreds of emails a day from photographers seeking a photo agent. Equally a effect, in that location is a loftier gamble they will merely respond if they take an actual opening to make full.

It's all almost timing.

Yous never know a photo agent'due south exact circumstances when you lot beginning approach them. Perhaps they simply took on a new photographer, or a new spot on their roster just opened up. It'due south incommunicable to know what'due south going on behind the scenes. If you don't hear dorsum from a photography agent after sending your initial pitch, feel costless to follow-upward a calendar week after. Ask if they received your message and had a chance to view your portfolio nevertheless. If they don't respond to your follow-up, leave it be. I would consider emailing them 6 months to a year later on, simply merely when you lot have a decent corporeality of fresh new content and professional person experience to evidence off.

In a higher place all, keep being proactive.

Even if you manage to get a photo agent, empathise that they are just one half of a team. Yes, a photo agent can help you go new work and boost revenue. But they also rely on you to proceed pushing your limits and improving yourself professionally and creatively. This is especially true if the photograph agent doesn't respond to your pitch. Keep improving your skills and networking, and reach out to photo agents again every bit you build your experience and portfolio.

In Decision

Have you lot worked with a photography amanuensis, or are you planning to seek 1 out? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!