Photography agents

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23 Sep 2012 - 3:43 PM

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lemmy

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23 Sep 2012 - 4:41 PM

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In general agents represent people with a proven track record of publications or assignments. Making contacts, getting work is your job, as is building a career.

When you have built a career and/ or have a good library of saleable work, that is the time to approach an agent. Agents don't get you a career, they represent you when you have one.

My deal with my agent for my library sales is 60/40 to me. That is a little more generous than most because I have an large library of studio, at home, on film sets etc of show business and music people. In general agents will take 50/50 on library sales. That is still a pretty good deal for most photographers since they are there selling your material while you are out generating more stuff to sell.

As far as I know, photographic agents are nearly all in London, as is most of the highly paid work. And not wanting to depress you, but back in the early 80s my basic day fee was £350 plus costs. I was very busy. Move on 30 years and I doubt most photograper's day fee is half of that. That money (and I was far from the best paid photographer around) came to me as a result of twenty years hard work, making contacts and experience. It was competitive and tough then. Today it is cut throat competition. But, there is always someone at the top of the tree. And it is a great career so long as you are not too concerned about seeing your family. Good luck!

lemmy

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23 Sep 2012 - 10:22 PM

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Thanks Mike. I'm meaning to add to some of the anecdotes. I have a good memory for stories for some reason.

One just came back to me. I was at Ewart Studios in Wandsworth doing stills on a video shoot for Paul McCartney. The song was called Comin' Up.

One of the electricians asked Paul on set how long it took him to write a song. Paul said, "sometimes it takes ages, sometimes, like this one, maybe 20 minutes". The sparks asked, "so, if it is a hit, how much would you make?" McCartney replies, "hard to say, maybe £250,000". Sparks - "blimey, money for old rope, isn't it?"

McCartney - "it is. You ought to do it yourself".