Avisualsociety is pleased to announce what one hopes will be a regular new voice on the blog…The Contributing Agent.

They will have complete freedom to talk about whatever they like each week!

So without further ado…

First, let me say that I am very excited to be a new contributing voice to Avisualsociety. I have been a fan for quite some time so I am honored to share some of my thoughts with you.  So what will be the inaugural topic for me to discuss?

One particular issue that keeps resonating for myself and others is a photographer’s expectations for their careers.  As a photo agent, I have worked with many industry professionals with seasoned careers.  These are photographers who have spent many years perfecting their craft in one particular genre, such as portraiture.

So what do you do when this photographer decides to embark on a new photographic genre, let’s say, landscapes?  Or you sign on a photographer for a certain style and they decide to pursue a different avenue?  Like any good agent you put their book together, begin research, make the applicable calls, and spread the word that your artist would like to be considered for “landscape” work.

But what is the designated time frame for when they should expect work?  I have encountered photographers who, due to their previous or current success EXPECT to be working consistently in their new genre in 3-6 months.  From my perspective it can be hard to say.  The industry can be very set in its ways and once you have spent years building yourself in one direction, making a major switch can take some time.   This can often be a difficult concept for photographers to understand.  Very plainly put.. “If you are a portrait photographer why would someone immediately hire you as a landscape photographer because you spent the summer documenting your travels?  Even if you are Joe Schmoe.” (There are obvious exceptions to this statement…)

So that’s my first post…thanks to AVS and all the AVS readers for reading!  Very open to feedback or comments (but go easy.. first time blogger!).

This is a great topic and I think Contributing Agent makes some great points.  I’ve encountered many a photographer looking to switch agencies simply because the agencies they are looking at represent a certain market (fashion, advertising, whatever it is) that they are trying to get into…but never mind that the agency is probably not interested in them because they haven’t been doing that sort of work!

Of course photographers can always adapt and switch styles or genres until they find what either they really love to do or are best at.  But it takes some serious self realisation sometimes.  (Jackanory is a good case in point!) And for my money I think  a case like this can take far longer than three to six months.

Thank you Contributing Agent!