that's why they call it 'starving' artist.Please give us more specific details. Exactly what clauses in the contract made you "more nervous"?
I have worked with several agents and agencies in the past but in the early 2000s I decided to go solo and deal only with stock photo agencies - the good ones. While a positive move, even this was not without its pitfalls. Since 2009 I've dealt directly with clients, in my case, book publishers and occasionally museums with photo archives and collections.
My photography is distinct. I (and my few remaining clients) regard myself as a specialist in what I shoot and sell. Photo markets have changed a lot since 2000 - sadly in many areas they are nowadays almost nonexistent, My markets have declined by 60% since 2012 and while I continue to sell, I earn just enough to regard my photography as a sideline, not a full-time hobby or (I wish) a career.
I (and I'm sure others) would be happy to share information with you but you must give us more specific details.
that's why they call it 'starving' artist.
Do you have a link to your web page? I'd like to see your work if that's possible. I'm not an agent.Please give us more specific details. Exactly what clauses in the contract made you "more nervous"?
I have worked with several agents and agencies in the past but in the early 2000s I decided to go solo and deal only with stock photo agencies - the good ones. While a positive move, even this was not without its pitfalls. Since 2009 I've dealt directly with clients, in my case, book publishers and occasionally museums with photo archives and collections.
My photography is distinct. I (and my few remaining clients) regard myself as a specialist in what I shoot and sell. Photo markets have changed a lot since 2000 - sadly in many areas they are nowadays almost nonexistent, My markets have declined by 60% since 2012 and while I continue to sell, I earn just enough to regard my photography as a sideline, not a full-time hobby or (I wish) a career.
I (and I'm sure others) would be happy to share information with you but you must give us more specific details.
OK - Pasto you want an agent? And you don't want to feel nervious?Hi, I'm not sure I'm posting to the right place but here goes anyway. I would be very happy to receive input from members who have or are currently working with an agent that is representing one or more of their photographic projects. I was offered such representation by an agent, and the more often I read the agreement the more nervous I get about this. Are there things I should look out for? Is it normal that the artist feels powerless in this process
Of course an agency will see money - that is normal! But if you want the same it is a win/win situation for both! She is Allways looking for new talents - so come to Europe.
One can say so !That very agency seemingly takes the money from the user of the photos, not the photographer.
Sorry - unterstand (meanwhile) your concern is in regard of the contact!I did not say anything about unfair business.
But you repeatedly had it about the photographer paying the agent (too). But the agency you linked to has it only about a contract betweem them and the user of photographs. And not about such contract with the photographer. Which makes one believe that there will be none. And no respective payment by the photographer.
The agent you refer to "repesents" the photographer, but makes a contract with the user of the photographs who they consider to work for, by finding the right photographer for him.
Maybe you better have chosen another sample.
Alan is that realy true (you are no agentDo you have a link to your web page? I'd like to see your work if that's possible. I'm not an agent.
(or maybe more appropriately, )
Exactly! Every pro photographer I meet says the same thing - anyone contemplating a career in the field today is demonstrating the triumph of hope over fantasy.
A few do, most don't. The proliferation of online digicrap and too many cooks spoiling the broth have mostly done us in. So goes the 21st century reality...
Our OP is being very . Out shooting good work, maybe? Let us hope he is one of the winners.
I have on file several contracts (unsigned) I was offered by (self-termed) "reputable" agents. I will be interested to compare notes on what clauses he has been offered in his by his.
It is the same play since years - I can't say from experience but within the 40th 50th 60th it wasMany/most top commercial photographers (and illustrators, and writers) have agents. They identify good agents by asking their professional photo/illustrator peers who their agents are and what their experiences have been.
Hi, I'm not sure I'm posting to the right place but here goes anyway. I would be very happy to receive input from members who have or are currently working with an agent that is representing one or more of their photographic projects. I was offered such representation by an agent, and the more often I read the agreement the more nervous I get about this. Are there things I should look out for? Is it normal that the artist feels powerless in this process
excellent advice!If you're getting a bad feeling from this agent, walk away. An agent can do a lot for you, and can do a lot to harm you. Some want to help you, and some want to use you. All want to make money, either through you or from you.
I had an agent once who helped me back when I was selling paintings. She helped me get into some galleries I wouldn't have been able to on my own. Just having an agent makes you appear much more desirable, and they can help with a lot of the B.S. that comes with navigating the industry (social media and meeting the right people). It worked out because I trusted her. We didn't even have a contract because we had a strong enough level of mutual respect (we had known each other for about 10 years prior to our arrangement). I wouldn't recommend going that route, but it does illustrate the level of trust you need in each other.
If you're at the point in your career where you are ready for an agent, don't feel pressured to sign with the first one that comes along. If you're at that point where an agent makes business sense, you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one.
When I was younger I was in a couple of bands and was constantly getting approached by agents. We didn't sign with any of them because none of them could offer us anything we couldn't do ourselves, and they'd just take a sizable cut of our earnings. We were already getting into all of the nearby venues we wanted to play and we made more money by not sharing profits with useless agents and small record labels. Now if an agent came along with connections with bigger record labels or production companies, we might have signed (and we actually did have an agent approach is who worked for some bigger names in the country music scene, but since we were a psychedelic rock band, we figured he wouldn't be much help for us).
So be careful. An agent is not a ticket to success. Don't let them sell you your own dreams back to you. They should be honest, hard working, and professional. Find out who else they represent and ask for specifics on what they can offer you and how they plan to do that. Ask them what they're expecting to get out of you. If they don't have solid answers or don't want to share them with you, walk away. If it's something you can do yourself, walk away. If it seems like a mutually beneficial relationship, give it some thought.
Many/most top commercial photographers (and illustrators, and writers) have agents. They identify good agents by asking their professional photo/illustrator peers who their agents are and what their experiences have been.
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