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The Role of The Agency
Open question: I'm a relatively new photographer, living in a city full of lovely people to shoot. Specifically - Prague, Czech Republic. Over and over again, I run into people who are photogenic, offer to shoot them, and then they will tell me they are with an agency. What is the etiquette/protocol for this? Is it taboo to just take an agency girl and shoot her yourself without talking to her booker? Or is the agency only like a "finder" wherein if I found her myself, I can arrange a shoot with her directly..? In short, would I be making bad blood by shooting whomever I find on my own, agency or no? It's a small circuit here and the last thing I want is to inadvertently step on toes... any and all input welcome. Thanks! Apr 07 14 08:03 am Link John M Campbell wrote: Are you in LA or in Prague? Apr 07 14 09:08 am Link In theory a model who is signed with an agency should only be shooting with agency approved photographers. Most agencies are pretty picky about who they shoot with because the model is their "product". They would like to present him/her according to their vision and marketing plans. They don't want the market flooded with images from random photographers. That is risky business and can devalue their "product". If you'd like to shoot agency models in your area see if you can sign on as a test photographer for one of the agencies. They will start you off by letting you shoot the new models without compensation but as you build your book you will gain access to the seasoned models. Another route to consider is finding model scouts in your area. These are professionals who find model material out in the general public and train them so that they can later sell them to an agency. It can be hard to find a good model scout, but they will usually give you access to some fantastic talent before it is discovered on the scene. Turn-overs are usually pretty fast as well so there is a good supply of fresh faces. Hope that helps. Apr 07 14 10:53 am Link Peter, Leonard, thank you both for the quick replies and great info! I am working half in LA and half in Prague these days. Basically, I understand how it all works going the "proper" route. I'm not starving for models. I have a good relationship with Elite and a couple smaller agencies in Prague and shoot tests for them of their newer girls. I don't have any trouble in the respect. Nor am I trying to just shoot amateurs. But the Prague streets are full of interesting faces and sometimes you see a photo just walking down the street at you.  I'm not playing any kind of seduction games, I'm very direct and always have my business card and/or book and/or ipad with presentation reels on it, if I'm going to approach a stranger. I generally get good reception to my images. (which is always good, right?) But when an agency girl (whom you met on the street) is saying, "Yes cool! Let's shoot together!" Then what do I do? From what you gents are saying, I guess the proper etiquette would be to go to her booker and say: "Hey I met 'Jana' on the street and we have been talking about shooting a test. Here's my book, what do you think?" Does that sound right? Or would that be weird? Or am I overthinking this and I should just shoot the girl and leave it to her to be responsible for her contract and image...? Apr 07 14 01:18 pm Link I would suggest you do just what you said, consider it an opportunity to build a relationship with another agency Apr 07 14 01:27 pm Link It actually kind of depends of the agency what their etiquette is. I know agencies that are indeed very strict. But, for instance, my agency, which is more focussing on hairmodelling, leaves you to it so you can develop your own portfolio as well. But mostly, it is indeed contacting the agency and ask to shoot with the girl. If they think you are good enough you might be working on tfp basis. If not, they would probably offer you to book her, if her image won't be damaged by it. Apr 07 14 01:32 pm Link It depends. Even with the big agencies, some of the girls are signed non-exclusively. If you found the model outside of the agency site, just ask her. We usually know (or should know) what our contracts say and what we're allowed to do. For instance, if a photographer I'm working on an independent test with asks if he can book me directly, the answer is yes. If the same question is asked on a test set up through the agency, the answer is no. We all have different scenarios. Apr 07 14 01:48 pm Link If you don't already have a working relationship with the agency, then you are in no way obligated to reach out to them about shooting the model. Leave it up to the model to contact the appropriate parties and book herself out for the day. Send pics afterwards if you want to make contact. Apr 08 14 12:40 am Link Hello again all and thank you so much for the replies. I approached the agency, showed them my work and explained that I met one of their models. They agreed to letting her and I work out the details. We had an amazing shoot and the agency loved it. Now they are sending me girls to shoot and paying me for the tests. So this story has a happy ending. Thank you again for all your wisdom and insight! Best, John www.jcampbellmedia.com May 13 14 12:43 am Link T-D-L wrote: Yup. May 14 14 12:28 pm Link John M Campbell wrote: If the agency should get bent towards anyone, it should be towards the talent they are signed with. you are not obligated to them in any way, so they shouldn't harbor any ill will towards you unless your coercing their models into working with you. May 14 14 02:28 pm Link I test with agency models often these days, I never speak to agents. May 14 14 02:42 pm Link |
