need help, meeting with a modeling agency

thenimirra

Hello all, I was hoping I could get some advice on how to proceed. I have a meeting scheduled next week with the owner of a modeling agency.

This agency has been hosting meets and greets to introduce her models to local photographers. So far, I've just taken some pics and sent her to my website to check them out. She says she loves my images and we schedule a meeting.

But from here, I'm at a loss. What do I take to the meeting? Do I take prints or images on CDs? Have you ever worked with a modeling agency before? What can I expect? This could be an important meeting and I would like to begin a business relationship with this company, but I don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

Check out the images under my Fashion gallery on www.picture-yourworld.com. The company is called Poise. Thank you!

Sam

thenimirra,

I would print about 10 to 15 of my best shots, and take them with me.

I think the real key is know why you’re going, and what you would like to have happen.

Basically .......have a plan. If you want to be their paid photographer, think about what you need to charge to make you happy. If on the other hand you just want to shoot for the experience, that's your choice too. Just have a plan, and know what you want, and where the line is where you just walk away.

I liked your work, and don't think you should be giving it away.

Good luck!

Sam

thenimirra

Hi Sam! Thanks for taking the time to respond to my post. I'm still a newbie at photography. I've only been taking photos since April of this year, so really all of this is taking me by surprise as far as figuring out the business aspects of it. I've had some paying clients of primarily event type photography, and I enjoyed those assignments.

One of the things I'm going to do is do some research about "the business of photography" and put together a formal portfolio this weekend to take with me to the meeting on Wednesday.

MichaelKirk

selling at cost?
Not sure if you know this, but all your photos are selling at cost?
This your plan?

Michael

thenimirra

hello Michael....I'm not sure what you mean by "selling at cost." Could you explain it to me please. It's probably a newbie thing I should definitely know.

Dizzle

thenimirra wrote:

hello Michael....I'm not sure what you mean by "selling at cost." Could you explain it to me please. It's probably a newbie thing I should definitely know.

You havent set pricing for any of the photos on your site so if someone as t purchase them they would be purchasing them at YOUR SmugMug price. You would make no money on them.

I hope you read what I posted on CO4x4...

MichaelKirk

Ditto
Just like was previously said - you are selling your work for FREE! Not sure if that was intentional or an oversite. Maybe I'll buy a few quickly before you catch on



Michael

TNicole wrote:

You havent set pricing for any of the photos on your site so if someone as t purchase them they would be purchasing them at YOUR SmugMug price. You would make no money on them.

I hope you read what I posted on CO4x4...

thenimirra

yikes...how do I set pricing?

denisegoldberg

thenimirra wrote:

yikes...how do I set pricing?

Help here... http://www.smugmug.com/help/print-pricing

--- Denise

thenimirra

now I understand...thank you Denise!

jdryan3

My first question is why are you meeting?

For you to drum up business, such as doing their headshots?

Or is it because the agency is trying to sell YOU on hiring their models for your photo shoots?

A model agency represents the models (i.e. their agent) and gets a % of what the models earn. So the purpose of the meet and greets is so local photographers know what type of models the agency represents. In order for the photographers to hire the models.

Most of the time, a model will work with a photographer on a quid pro quo basis - you get free use of a model for shots for YOUR portfolio, the model gets FREE shots of themselves for THEIR portfolio. Only the top notch, established photographers get paid for their headshot work. Sometimes a modest sitting fee can be made to weed out the less than sincere, but the models usually have limited funds.

Realize I am speaking in generalities. There are always exceptions. Good luck!

Angelo

jdryan3 wrote:

My first question is why are you meeting?

For you to drum up business, such as doing their headshots?

Or is it because the agency is trying to sell YOU on hiring their models for your photo shoots?

A model agency represents the models (i.e. their agent) and gets a % of what the models earn. So the purpose of the meet and greets is so local photographers know what type of models the agency represents. In order for the photographers to hire the models.

Most of the time, a model will work with a photographer on a quid pro quo basis - you get free use of a model for shots for YOUR portfolio, the model gets FREE shots of themselves for THEIR portfolio. Only the top notch, established photographers get paid for their headshot work. Sometimes a modest sitting fee can be made to weed out the less than sincere, but the models usually have limited funds.

Realize I am speaking in generalities. There are always exceptions. Good luck!

the supply chain seems to be reversed here. as a fashion photographer you would most likely (or eventually) hire models you deem appropriate for your shoots (or this might also be done by an ad agency, creative director or the client of record for a shoot)

a modeling agency would not necessarily be hiring you. so be alert to what you're being asked for.

thenimirra

These are definitely good points for me to be aware of. I don't know any photographer who has worked with modeling agencies before so I couldn't get any say from any of my mentors about how to handle the meeting or what to expect. At least now I have some idea of things to be concerned about.

thenimirra

I had the meeting today. The agency offered to pay me at my given rate, but this is a start up company, with the modeling company only in business for one year and the fashion event business for the past four years. Most of what we will be doing right now is quid pro quo type stuff where I have access to the agency's models and other promotions she's running (including a dance troupe) for building my portfolio as well as building their portfolio.

I have my first private shoot with about seven of her models this Sunday! She only has three Denver area photogs she is working with, and I'm the third one!