The Politics of Fashion Photography Part 13

The Model Agency and How they Can Affect Your Success

So, you think you have arrived. You have been asked to shoot for one of the few Biggies. You have the support of the magazine infrastructure and you are ready to cast that Top Model for your shoot that will catapult you to the top of heap.

Well, get ready for a surprise. It is a lot more complicated than you think. When I called this series "The Politics of Fashion Photography", there is no other time where this subject becomes flagrantly evident than under the circumstances I will attempt to discuss without burning my feet too profoundly.

There is no better way to illustrate this than to create a scenario that several of you out there my relate to. This fictitious story will also depend on which country you are in and the status of that Biggy as it is perceived by the Model Agency in question you are negotiating with to get THAT TOP MODEL.

Now, even if it isn't you casting for the job and it is the magazine casting director, the same will apply. The delicacy of the diplomacy executed by the model agency may be somewhat different , but the final result may be similar.

The names of the person and magazines are fictitious. Use your imagination.

Ok here goes…

John (Photographer): "Hi this is John Stevens, may I speak to Sacha?"

Sascha (Booker): "Hello this is Sacha, what can I do for you John"
John: I am casting for Vega magazine. It is a Special Fashion story featuring designer Suzy Sanchez's Fall-Winter 2011 Collections.

Sascha: Is it an Advertorial?

John: No, not at all, it is an editorial and we really want a Top Model for this story.

Sascha: Which Vega Magazine is it?

John: It is for Vega Korea December issue.

Sascha: Who is the fashion stylist, hair stylist and make-up artist for this job?

John: Rita Random is the Fashion Stylist, but we have't yet cast or the hair and make-up, that will depend on the model we get.

Sascha: What is the theme of the editorial?

John: It is all about Non-Color Neutral Fashion

Sascha: Ah Huh? Um, can you seed me a story board or mood board
John: I will once we are sure of the model

Sascha: Would be great if I could see it. That way I can see if so or so may be interested.
John: We are interested in Suzanna, Philippa, Tatyanna, Meredith and Beth D.

Sascha: There is no way those girls could do Vega Korea
John: Why is that?

Sascha: Because they are all working for Meow Magazine.
John: But I saw Suzanna, Beth D.and Tatyanna in Vega Australia and UK.

Sascha: Well not for Vega Korea.
John: What are you telling me here? You don't like Vega Korea?

Sascha: No, I didn't say that, it depends on the team and we deal with each case separately.

John: Ok, deal with this case for me.

Sascha: You don't have to be so aggressive!
John: I'm not being aggressive, I am just trying to get the best girl possible for this story.

Sascha: Well, I'm sorry but the girls you mentioned, won't do Vega Korea. I will send you a package.

John: Dan at your agency already sent me a package and although the girls are quite pretty, they don't have the notoriety the magazine is looking for and that is why I am contacting you, as you represent the girls we would like to work with.

Sascha: Are you telling me, you don't like our girls?

John: Of course not, your girls are incredible, otherwise they wouldn't be with your agency.

Sascha: If the girls that Dan sent you don't work for you, I am afraid there is nothing else we can d for you.

John: The Editor in Chief of the magazine wasn't pleased with the package you sent us.

Sascha: Sorry, it's the best we can do for now. I have to run to meeting, have to go…

John: Okay, thanks Sascha…

Now, this is based on real life experience and one of many that you will have to come up against when you think you have arrived. The Politics of Fashion is a multi layered onion and I don't mean figuratively.

More of the same shortly…

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/u9f

It's photograghy Jim, but not as we know it.

An interesting insight benjikan.

Ben, I love your photos and I'm envious of your talent behind the lens but I have to ask; do you actually enjoy photography?

If I had jump through half the hoops that you do on a daily basis I think I'd be sick of the sight of cameras by the time I got home at night. Do you ever just pick one up on your day off and think, "I know, I'll go and unwind by shooting some landscapes (or whatever) today"?

I'm really glad I photograph the feathered variety of birds