Agency Rankings
Written on February 22, 2008
I’ve thought awhile on writing about this (purely for fun, though I can see it causing contention..) but have had no idea how to approach it. But the times are changing (I think there’ll be some big news in the upcoming weeks) and it seems somewhat appropriate to trot this out.
There is no system here…no point scale, no tiered methodology…this is purely subjective and personal opinion, with some discussion amongst friends. This is of course only photography based (no stylists, prop stylists, art directors and other talent are taken into consideration) and only for the US market. Factors ranged from their level of talent, to the amount of money I think they make, to the type of work most of their artists get, to their general reputation. One other thing I kept in mind was whether or not the agency had a “star photographer”.
So without further ado…my agency rankings…
Top 5 Fashion Photography Agencies (Agencies whose rosters predominantly focus on fashion):
1. Art + Commerce (undisputed leader…for now)
2. Art Partner (recent additions of Cedric Buchet and Ellen Von Unwerth)
3. Management Artists (though, worst website in the business. hands down. utterly ridiculous)
4. Art Department (tough one, as their roster is such a mix…but their recent influx of fashion talent is indisputable, soon to be joined by Robin Broadbent and Terry Richardson allegedly.)
5. CLM (amazing young + established photography roster)
Just missing the cut in no particular order, though obviously still top tier agencies - Katy Barker, CXA, Marek & Associates, Jed Root, MAP, Walter Schupfer.
Top 5 Commercial Photography Agencies (Agencies whose large rosters predominantly focus on commercial advertising):
1. Stockland Martel
2. Bransch
3. Bernstein & Andruilli (another crap website)
4. ArtMix
5. Radical Media
This was harder…all these agencies represent top flight talent, and tons of it. I think they average 30 photographers apiece. There is little difference between 1 to 5 in my mind.
Top 5 Boutique Agencies (rosters with smaller number of artists or a strong focus on a particular niche, or who just have that ’boutique’ feel)
1. AFG (tops this list with a slew of amazing talent forthcoming, focused more on commercial work, from what I hear…)
2. Bill Charles (uh, need Larry Fink or Stephen Shore for something? Call here)
3. MS Logan (between the photography talent and their recent additions from the editorial and advertising worlds…)
4. Apostrophe (still-life specialists)
5. Levine/Leavitt (great roster of celebrity and advertising guys)
There are so many of these and I am sure I am forgetting loads…great agencies nonetheless like Edge Reps, Chris Boals, Webber Represents…
So there it is…this list may be updated in a week…or maybe never again. But if ad agencies can get report cards then why not for our business?
Again, this is so subjective and there is no way one can keep track of all the comings and goings of these agencies, but based on all these recent artist movements…timing seemed apt…thoughts welcome!
Filed in: Talent, Photo Agency.
Do you work at any of the above?!!!
yes he does - let’s try and guess which one…..:)
why does it matter where he/she works? i don’t work at any of the agencies listed (although previously i worked at 2 of the top fashion ones he/she listed) and i completely agree with his/her selections although it is quite arbitrary.
norma jean markus doesn’t even get a slight mention? Another great line up but again, the website.
MAP’s website, now that is awful!
Liked Marek and Assoc site, clean and with it.
Also was good to see who reps Willy Vanderperre, forgot about him. Like his work, just not a name I hear too often.
What a well presented list. I know a lot of these, but it is nice to see them niched out like this. thanks.
MM, it was hard to remember so many agencies! The list can go on forever.
Also, it was hard to compare, say, Stockland Martel to Art + Commerce. Who makes more money? Stockland’s 40 odd photographers or A+C’s 25? Do I prefer Nadav Kander and Vincent Laforet over Carter Smith and Craig McDean? Thus the breakdown which made a bit more sense I think.
I know AVS…just a slight ribbing! She sticks in my head not only because of the time she reped Susanna Howe but also because of the crazy, often frustrating, website.
Total Gem to work with though.