Agency representation

[PixelChick78]

I have heard that there are agency's that represent photographers but i am having a hard time finding one. I did a google search for Toronto but no luck. Any suggestions? I don't mean for stock photos, i mean for commercial, modeling gigs ect. Thanks!

[FlyingPhotog]

Are you making enough that you can afford to give up a goodly percentage to an agent?

[PixelChick78]

Are you making enough that you can afford to give up a goodly percentage to an agent?

Maybe;)

[FlyingPhotog]

Maybe;)

Good on ya then! :)

[ssim]

I had a list of these at one point in time and will see if I can find them for you. What specifically are you after from an agency. From what I could gather from the information that I had read some time ago was that they represent high end shooters that can generate a good amount of cash flow. Bottom line, they don't want to have to spend alot of time and energy marketing someone that is not salable (that is a general comment and not directed at you). I know some photographers that have six figure income from their photography and still will not sign on with these guys. They can take anywhere from 50% or less as far as commission.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained I always say. I understand that they are very discerning about who they take on and will certainly only take on people that are shooting full time. This was about the ones I investigated and there certainly might be ones that operate on a lower tier than these ones.

[PhotosGuy]

Local work? Sometimes a rep (photographers representative) will take you on. Check your phone book & ask photogs in your area.

[ssim]

I found a little information but wasn’t able to find anyone in the Toronto area that lists themselves as a photographer’s representation firm. Here are a few from around the globe which is what I understand a photographer agency to be. They are high end in nature from the looks of them.

http://www.billcharles.com/
http://www.pmionline.net/main.html
http://www.stonecamera.com/
This one (http://www.clothingmodel.com/photography/Photographery_Agencies.htm) is a list of agencies that would represent fashion photographers but I don’t see anyone from Toronto.

While Toronto is significant for the fashion industry in Canada , it certainly is not a driving force when it comes to the fashion industry as a whole. You need to look towards New York, Los Angeles and Paris and this is undoubtedly where you would find the big name photographers and the agencies that represent them.

If you are still having trouble finding someone in Toronto I would start off with some of the art galleries or a place like Pikto (http://www.pikto.com/gallery/) . They have several different services from studio to color lab to gallery showings for photographers. If anyone in the Toronto area can direct you in the right direction it would probably be these guys.

[amfoto1]

Buy a copy of "Photographers Market, 2008"

There are many pages of photo reps and stock agencies.

The 2009 issue will be out fairly soon, I imagine.

[michaelanthony]

From what I could gather from the information that I had read some time ago was that they represent high end shooters that can generate a good amount of cash flow.

Bottom line, they don't want to have to spend alot of time and energy marketing someone that is not salable (that is a general comment and not directed at you). I know some photographers that have six figure income from their photography and still will not sign on with these guys. They can take anywhere from 50% or less as far as commission.

x2

commercial agency shooters are serious high end... definitely a field in which it takes money to make money...

at one point, i was signed by a lower tier entertainment photography agency and they took 50% commission

[turbo212003]

my wife is my agent:)

[blackshadow]

my wife is my agent:)

What percentage does she take? ;)

[FlyingPhotog]

I've yet to meet a wife who doesn't (in one way or another) eventually take 100% ;)

[turbo212003]

I've yet to meet a wife who doesn't (in one way or another) eventually take 100% ;)

Ask my wife:)

She understands it helps us overall. I take her to dinner every now and then.

[S.Horton]

I found a little information but wasn’t able to find anyone in the Toronto area that lists themselves as a photographer’s representation firm. Here are a few from around the globe which is what I understand a photographer agency to be. They are high end in nature from the looks of them.

http://www.billcharles.com/
http://www.pmionline.net/main.html
http://www.stonecamera.com/
This one (http://www.clothingmodel.com/photography/Photographery_Agencies.htm) is a list of agencies that would represent fashion photographers but I don’t see anyone from Toronto.

While Toronto is significant for the fashion industry in Canada , it certainly is not a driving force when it comes to the fashion industry as a whole. You need to look towards New York, Los Angeles and Paris and this is undoubtedly where you would find the big name photographers and the agencies that represent them.

If you are still having trouble finding someone in Toronto I would start off with some of the art galleries or a place like Pikto (http://www.pikto.com/gallery/) . They have several different services from studio to color lab to gallery showings for photographers. If anyone in the Toronto area can direct you in the right direction it would probably be these guys.

The next time I fantasize about making a living at photography, I'll go back to those links for the strongest possible dose of reality.

(Compared to those artists, I s*ck!)

Great links.

[amfoto1]

I've yet to meet a wife who doesn't (in one way or another) eventually take 100% ;)

My ex-wife got 125%. But, I consider myself lucky. A friend of mine's ex appears to have gotten closer to 1250%

[NZDoug]

Shooters with agents are in the $5,000/day plus range.
Otherwise , its not in an agents bests interests.
Many agents are also producers, as they can arrange studios, gear, casting, locations,etc. etc. or supply people who can.