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Posted by: Robin (209.137.226.166) on August 22, 2003 at 01:22:06

I am a full time portrait photographer. I have built my business on trying to do things better than everyone else, both on the creative side and on the marketing, sales and customer service side. However, I have been approached with something new and would like some input on it. I got a call from a commercial model who had been asked by her agent to get some images created for her portfolio. The photographer that they have used in the past has apparently become too unavailable. (I know him and know that he is spending increasing amounts of time working in California).

I told this model first of all that my experience is in portraiture, not model photography. I know enough to know that it is very different. But I told her I am very interested in not only creating her photographs, but also working closely with her agency. I would like a new challenge and learn quickly. I work very hard to give all my clients exactly what they want and am sure that this is within my ability to learn to do well.

She passed my interest on to her agent, shose boss called me the next day. We talked for a while and then set up a meeting for next Tuesday at my studio to talk about it further. She is bringing her partner and they are wanting to build a team including a photographer and a stylist that can give them consistent high quality work for their model's portfolios.

Before I meet with them I need a quick education on this business. What is likely to be important to them? As agents, what do you look for in a photographer? Photographers, what do I need to learn and to do differently from portraiture? How do you charge (flat fee, per image, etc.)? My prices are the highest in this area, my average family session is over $1000, for example, but I know that I can't charge remotely those kinds of prices. this isn't really aobut money anyway, it's about doing something new and pushing myself. (I am feeling a little stale and bored with where I'm at right now.)

Any insight would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Robin

Follow Ups:

• Thanks for all the responses! - Robin 00:01:36 08/23/03 (0)
• Shoots for models - Doug Lester 11:37:47 08/22/03 (1)
  • PS - Doug again 11:44:52 08/22/03 (0)
• Just Curious - Tom Collins 11:27:31 08/22/03 (1)
  • Re: Just Curious - Roger 11:43:15 08/22/03 (0)
• Re: Advice needed from photogs/ agents - Shane 09:55:18 08/22/03 (7)
  • Small regional market - Roger 10:34:53 08/22/03 (6)
    • Re: Small regional market - Robin 14:08:04 08/22/03 (0)
    • Re: Small regional market - Shane 11:24:32 08/22/03 (4)
      • Fraud? - Roger 11:54:48 08/22/03 (3)
        • Re: Fraud? - Mary Erickson 23:13:13 08/22/03 (0)
        • Okay. Misrepresentation - Shane 13:50:02 08/22/03 (1)
          • Re: Okay. Misrepresentation - Robin 14:25:16 08/22/03 (0)
• Re: Advice needed from photogs/ agents - Roger 08:17:43 08/22/03 (3)
  • Re: Advice needed from photogs/ agents - Robin 09:30:44 08/22/03 (1)
    • Modeling agencies and schools - Roger 10:07:49 08/22/03 (0)
  • On pricing - Roger 08:59:48 08/22/03 (0)
• comments & advice... [N] - Steve Souza / West-World 05:39:43 08/22/03 (1)
  • One more thing - Michael McGowan 06:36:20 08/22/03 (0)
• Location, location, etc., etc. - Michael McGowan 05:09:29 08/22/03 (0)

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: I am a full time portrait photographer.  I have built my business on trying to do things better than everyone else, both on the creative side and on the marketing, sales and customer service side.  However, I have been approached with something new and would like some input on it.  I got a call from a commercial model who had been asked by her agent to get some images created for her portfolio. The photographer that they have used in the past has apparently become too unavailable. (I know him and know that he is spending increasing amounts of time working in California).

: I told this model first of all that my experience is in portraiture, not model photography. I know enough to know that it is very different. But I told her I am very interested in not only creating her photographs, but also working closely with her agency. I would like a new challenge and learn quickly.  I work very hard to give all my clients exactly what they want and am sure that this is within my ability to learn to do well.

: She passed my interest on to her agent, shose boss called me the next day.  We talked for a while and then set up a meeting for next Tuesday at my studio to talk about it further.  She is bringing her partner and they are wanting to build a team including a photographer and a stylist that can give them consistent high quality work for their model's portfolios.

: Before I meet with them I need a quick education on this business. What is likely to be important to them? As agents, what do you look for in a photographer? Photographers, what do I need to learn and to do differently from portraiture?  How do you charge (flat fee, per image, etc.)?  My prices are the highest in this area, my average family session is over $1000, for example, but I know that I can't charge remotely those kinds of prices.  this isn't really aobut money anyway, it's about doing something new and pushing myself. (I am feeling a little stale and bored with where I'm at right now.)

: Any insight would be appreciated!

: Thanks,
: Robin



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