When people ask what it is I do, I tell them that a large part of being an agent is selling and marketing the photographers to potential clients. At an advertising agency one of the most important people for a photo agent to deal with is the art buyer. Some people I’ve talked to then asked if the art buyer was the person responsible for buying all the art for the office…and while that sounds like it could be a cool job, it doesn’t sound very sustainable.

So I saw this ad on Craigslist the other day and thought that it greatly sums up what an art buyer does (and no, I was not looking for a job.) One thing that is extremely important is the amount of legal work that an art buyer has to deal with. I remember reading a horror story once about how the man who is the face on the Maxwell House coffee label had no idea his image was being used as such (images from a test shoot!). Needless to say the once he recognised his own face he took some action and the courts doled out a nice sum to him.

XXXX is currently looking for a seasoned Art Buyer/Art Producer. The Art Producer serves as the liaison between Art Directors, Account Groups, Print/Traffic Managers, Mac Studio and Finance personnel. The Art Producer consults with Art Directors on talent, retouching, and photography and makes suggestions as necessary. The Art Producer requests portfolios from talent and photography representatives and is responsible for preparing estimates.

Reports to: Senior Vice President / Director of Print Graphic Services Functions/responsibilities:

* Review and recommend illustration, photography and retouching portfolios to Art Directors.

* Coordinate pre-bid and pre-production meetings with appropriate team members to discuss specs of approved layout, photography style, budget and estimate.

* Solicit and triple bid photography or other art, per client and agency guidelines. Negotiate costs and submit rough and formal estimates for existing clients as well as new business prospects.

* Book talent, confirm dates, and verify usage and costs. Issue purchase orders.

* Work closely with photographer and team members to schedule shoot, ensure casting specs are met and casting agent’s stay within our budget.

* Approve and audit vendor invoices (photography, talent etc.) for any work that was originally ordered by the Art Producer. * Maintain legal files containing art usage information.

* Research and negotiate all stock photography jobs via the internet, discs or source books. Order stock photos as needed and maintain a system to ensure they are returned.

* Assist Cost Control Coordinator with fiscal year and year-end closings.

* Research current trends in photography, art and styling.

* Have a working knowledge of the copyright laws and consult legal counsel when necessary.

Qualifications: * College level degree in advertising, art and or communications preferred. * Five years Art Production or related experience. Advertising Agency experiences a plus. * Solid knowledge of all aspects of Art Production relating to budgets, estimates working with vendors, negotiating and all production related terminology.