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.

How?

-- Craig Hoover (craighoo@star56.com), February 10, 2002

Answers

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.

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

-- Ralph Barker (rbarker@pacbell.net), February 10, 2002.

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.

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!).

So,don't sit around and hope that you will be 'discovered',this rarely,if ever happens.

Good luck.

-- Virgil (leicavirgin@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

"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"

Ralph,that is very true and VERY important.

Craig,if any 'agent'offers to take you on for a fee just walk away,zip-up your portfolio and decline.

-- Virgil (leicavirgin@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

Excellent answer, Ralph. Sounds like you are speaking from experience. Your analogy is most appropriate.

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.

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.

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.

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!"

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!"

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!"

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."

Lawrence

-- lawrence beck (stork@lawrencebeck.com), February 10, 2002.

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.

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.

-- Steven Alexander (alexpix@worldnet.att.net), February 10, 2002.

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.

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.

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.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 10, 2002.

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.

The fact is that everybody wants to be a snapper these days and it's very competitive. Good luck.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 10, 2002.

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

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.

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

-- Virgil (leicavirgin@manx.net), February 10, 2002.

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 ?

-- leonid kotlyar (kotlyarl@mail.nih.gov), February 10, 2002.

I feel my work is now good enough and my tutor at college has said I should try to get an agent.

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!

-- Peter Hughes (ravenart@pacbell.net), February 11, 2002.

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!

So, be careful. Personally, like Peter says, I doubt you really need one at this stage, but I hope I am proved wrong.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

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

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.

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.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), February 12, 2002.

To: Mr. Peter Hughes

If it took you 40 years to get an agent then I surely wouldn't be heeding your advice. That's a ridiculous amount of time to have taken to take such a small step in the scheme of a professional life. You need not age to make money nor need you age to be noticed. You just have to work hard and play a lot of phone tag and do a lot of footwork when possible. I suppose that's just my opinion though. :)

- Janessa Lundy

-- Janessa Lundy (infocenter23@lundyarts.com), June 10, 2002.

Anyone know of a list of london photo agents available on the web??

thanks

John Hryniuk

www.inthedarkroom.com www.altpick.com/inthedarkroom

-- John Hryniuk (john@inthedarkroom.com), June 18, 2002.