Frede Spencer | Guest Speaker

Frede Spencer agent and Director for the agency Twenty Twenty came in this afternoon to discuss our work and then give a talk on what he does.  As an agent Frede represents, artists and photographers in advertising but also for editorial. He works with a various different people who work across different creative mediums such as illustrators, designers and directors.

Some examples of the incredibly talented people he works with are shown below: 

Will Sanders 
- A street photographer who sees the world in colours and can capture the world in a completely different way to how you would see it. People love his fun imagery. Creators are known for looking through his work for inspiration. 

Jack Bedford
 - an illustrator with a graphic and fun style. Something different, you don’t represent them in the same way as photographers. 

Paul Stuart
- Has been in the agency from the very beginning approximately 10 years. He is a portrait photographer who has shot some iconic shots and has work in the national portrait gallery. He has done a lot of editorial stuff but has done some advertising for the National Shakespeare Gallery. He is the photographer who Chef’s Jamie Oliver’s book covers.

Jake Walters
- Commercial photographer who shoots a lot of fashion. He is really open to the world, as well as doing fashion he also does advertising and shoots a lot of motion. Has a varied portfolio of work. 

John Higginson 

-  Commercial photographer - he shoots CGI images not only with models but also at night which is something that can be really difficult to do.

Lulu Ash

- New addition to the agency. She does lifestyle (people- can be fashion or portraiture) photographer, it’s a really lived feel with a beauty to it. Very Natural feel to it and shoots a lot on film.

Kell  Mitchell

-  A director and photographer who balances the two really well. She knows everything from re touching to film, a really goos skill set to have especially if you are serious in a being a photographer as a career. Shot a video for Harvey Nichols over two days. She also shoots still photography. 

Valentine Reinhardt 

-  A French creative, it can be difficult representing someone who isn’t in the same country but it’s worked really well despite early reservations because of the distance. She used to be a creative director and enjoys creating music videos, storyboarding and photographing and illustrating. 

All images can be found here

Life as an Agent 

If you like working with artists and photography but don’t feel you want to be a photographer then being an agent may suit you better. 

What does an agent do? 

They go to portfolio meetings and the agencies invite the creatives and art buyers down and they all have a look at the work. They protect and manage the artists careers, manage existing clients and build new relationships, socialise, promote the artists and produce the shoots. Instagram takeovers.  

What does the agency Twenty Twenty look for?

• different but good
• Artists that do not fit into set categories
• Multiple skills photography/ motion- still- life/ fashion etc
• Existing client relationships 
• Artists who are easy to get along with
• Work that excites them.

Photo Meet 

The idea for photo meet was born from a documentary photographer through passion. It's all about creating an environment  where everyone feels comfortable and equal with one another.  There are around 50 reviewers who offer portfolio reviews over the two day period the event takes place, all from people with a variety of creative backgrounds such as art buyers and editors. There are also various talks on topics such as copyright. 

What makes the photo meet different from any other event? 

The environment is something that makes it different, it’s all about immersing yourself within a community and it's not an exclusive event. 

Advice

Leaving University 

• Make as many contacts as you can 
• Use momentum from Degree Show
• Remember a lot of doors are open when you are a student use them! 
• Don’t worry about making a wrong move!

Self promotion 

• A good website is the best staring point - make sure it works on all platforms 
• HTML mailers - such as mail chimp dedicate or campaign monitor 
• Social media profile - Twitter, Facebook, Instagram 
• Email blogs lie it’s nice that ,1000 words etc..
• get a tumblr page
• Put your work forward for competitions 
• go to events 
• put yourself out there!

Commercial photographer 

• Contact photographers you like or get a job at a big hire studio.
• look in BJP, AOP
• Attend shows, exhibitions and photo festivals - like Photo Meet London 
• Keep shooting and keep knocking on doors 

Picture Editor 

• Contact HR department of publishing group 
• Don’t just try the main newspapers - try contract and book publishers 
• send email to picture desk 
• some offer work expeinnce/ internships 

Art buyer/ project manager 

• Many agencies have graduate programmes 
• design agencies all over the UK
• Look in Marketing today and campaign 

Future of Photography 

• Motion and Still are fusing 
• Print and TV advertising is changing - all money in advertising moving to online 
• Traditional routes to market are changing - everything be coming more democratic 
• Social media and self promotion will be king! 

Putting a portfolio together

• Work should be coherent, it's best that things feel as if they belong together.
• Everything should flow 
• Minimum of 40 Maximum of 60 images 
• Keep the pages simple (borders, spacing)
• Don't show everything in a portfolio show what you do well. 

Frede Spencer's talk has left me with a lot to think about as well as consider, the artists he represents are incredible if you want to see more of their work click here.