Expert: Tricia Scott-Sahler - 1/21/2011

Question
Hello Miss Scott-Sahler,

I have been taking fashion/commercial style photos for a while now, and I think I am ready to begin trying to monetize my skills (that is, try to get published and get paid work to support my photography) and I am unsure exactly how to do it.

For instance, if I were to try and get work shooting for a magazine, how would I go about contacting them (more specifically what do I say- what kind of relationship does a photographer have with magazines. Is it a sort of magazine-asks-photographer or photographer-submits-to-magazine thing as far as assignments being given?) What about other clients, such as an ad agency, etc. ?

I guess my real question is what kind of specific relationships does a photographer want to have with magazines and ad agencies. Do such clients choose a pool of photographers and then hand out assignments accordingly, or do I need to vie for a job each time as if I had never worked for the client before?

As I look to refine my vision and go forward in my passion, this has been an issue I just can't find any answers on. Any help you could give me is appreciated!

Answer
Congratulations on following your vision.  Fashion photography is a very competitive field, well all areas are really.  To answer your questions, you would contact the photo editor at the magazines and ask them if you can show them your portfolio.  You might contact them through an email, phone call or promotional mailing.  Some magazines specifically fashion, do have "submissions". You are not paid for your photography but they put your stories in the magazine. This isn't the best scenario, but it gives you exposure when you are starting out. Ad agencies have art buyers and art directors - those are the people you want to reach out to.  Building relationships with the art directors and photo editors is the most important thing, along with great stylists and hair and makeup artists.  The relationships will keep them coming back, but more often then not with advertising you are up against other people and have to continue to stay on your game to keep the clients!  Hope this helps.