Are you a photographer looking for a rep?

Yeah gotcha with this title, well not really. Just read through this really great interview by A Photo Editor with photographer rep Debroah Schwartz (dsreps.com). They touched on some really great points. This was my favorite questions/answers:

APE: So, the question you still need to answer now and every photographer wants to know is “what does it take to get a rep?”

Deborah Schwartz: I think that you need to be at that point in your career when you need help to keep up with the work that you are getting, and when you have met the person who feels like the right match for you.

Being a photographer is a huge investment of time and money. You need to be able to show an art director that you not only have a good eye, but also that you can put it together in a unique way. Then, you need to get out there and hustle like a mad dog.

Some people think that a rep is just there to get you the work, but I am one half of a team. Photographers need to be proactive in getting out there themselves shooting personal work, meeting with people and getting editorial work. In order to make it, you have to be really likable, professional, responsible and a really fantastic photographer. If you are all of these things, you will be getting work and you will need a rep on your team.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is they have a portfolio and then they just wait for the work to come in. If you aren’t constantly pushing yourself and growing as a photographer–you see this all the time where the work doesn’t change and the book is the same from year to year–then you’re dead in the water and not getting work and will continue to not get work. You need to be testing and shooting for yourself all of the time.

I have to say, this reinforces a lot about what I talk about all the time on MY blog. Honing your vision is what this business is all about. People hire you for your vision. Along with being personable and having a good understanding of the photography business makes you even more marketable. If you haven't read my post on the story of how I found my rep, read it here.

It's very true that even if you HAVE a rep, you have to be a hustler in this business to make it. A rep is a part of your team. You also won't get anywhere in this business without a good team of people to work with. You're only as good as your team.

The tighter you hone your visual style and get it out there in the world and show the capability of handling a big production in a thorough manner, the more marketable you become. ABS theory!

Read the full interview here. It's great!

Comments

[brian bankston]

Thanks for posting this...... Have been curious about how to get/be
rep'd.... I believe I have a bit to learn before I will use a rep.
I also like what you say about honing vision.... I have really come to appreciate finding/discovering my vision.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights!