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Agency fees

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:59 pm
by Adrianna1312
Hello, still finding our feet. DS has been offered to sign with an agent. Very pleased. They have said they have annual admin fees we need to pay. I've heard that agents shouldn't ask for fees. It's not a big amount, just £35. Does this sound ok?

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 5:04 pm
by Moosmum
Hi :) we are relatively new too but we were always told to avoid fees. From my understanding they make their money from the commission on jobs their clients get so if they do their job then they shouldn’t need to charge extra. The exception to the rule would be spotlight fees as they are separate to the actual agency and headshots if they offer a photographer,although even then they should offer you the chance to book your own photographer. How much commission does the agency take? I suppose you could weigh up your options if they only take a small amount xx

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:21 pm
by riverdancefan
Moosmum wrote:Hi :) we are relatively new too but we were always told to avoid fees. From my understanding they make their money from the commission on jobs their clients get so if they do their job then they shouldn’t need to charge extra. The exception to the rule would be spotlight fees as they are separate to the actual agency and headshots if they offer a photographer,although even then they should offer you the chance to book your own photographer. How much commission does the agency take? I suppose you could weigh up your options if they only take a small amount xx
There are some very reputable agencies for children who do charge a yearly admin fee. My DS was with one for a few years and we didn’t mind as he got work, some fabulous opportunities with them.
You can debate as to whether it’s right or wrong, I haven’t an opinion but just to reassure you that it’s not unheard of, even with some of the more popular ones.

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:44 pm
by Adrianna1312
Thank you for the replies. It's 20% commission which I believe is pretty standard. It's only a small fee so don't think it's anything odd just never sure as it's our first offer. It's DS preferred agent so he's happy x

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2017 3:20 pm
by tracie
I would not pay a penny to an agency for admin fees, Have done it in the past, had to also pay for their photographer to do headshots. Big northern Agency 20% commission, year contract etc etc. We left, wont go into why or wherefore but after speaking to lots of people, agencies etc realised that most agencies DONT take admin fees, let you get your own headshots and think its poor show that people charge admin fees. We are with the most fab agency now, no admin fees 15% commission and I never feel they are ripping my son off. We have been in your shoes, my son was beyond excited but it didn't last for long and after being with 2 other agencies we finally have the right one. Go with your gut feeling. What might be good for other isn't for you and visa versa. Lots of good luck to your son. xxxx

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:30 pm
by paulears
The £35 could be easily lost in all the money you make from them, or they could be the kind of agency who sign everyone they can, collect lots of £35, and never give you any work. In general, though, agents fall into to types. Those who have a lower number of clients, but do really represent the clients - pushing them continually and working hard. Others seems to work like dating agencies and merely put the biog on their website and let the people looking for the right person do all the work. Sign up a thousand people to pay £35 each and you have a nice income with very little work - which in the main is simply updating a website, not looking for work for the clients.

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 1:57 pm
by tracie
Totally totally agree, quite awful sometimes

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2017 6:53 pm
by Happydaze23
I have to agree that I would NOT pay agency fees either. There are very many brilliant agents who won't charge a penny for admin, to be on their website or for specific photographers. Be under no illusion it is hugely expensive to attend auditions, the travel costs, the food and drink you end up buying, recalls, headshots etc etc. The agent tries to get you work and you in good faith try to make the most of the opportunities. If they choose clients wisely and you do your best hopefully you'll both be successful. To charge you extra on top of that seems totally unnecessary.

Just my opinion!

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2017 11:19 am
by Adrianna1312
Thank you all. Everyone seems to have different views but I'm also learning agents are very different and you have to find the right one for your DC. I think we have and they have come highly recommended and I've seen first hand the work they can and do get for thier clients so fingers crossed xx

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:23 pm
by paulears
If you phone your agent and say Hi, it's Naomi, or some other less common name, do they say Naomi who? The best agents remember their clients names - or at least have a system quick enough to type in "Naomi" and get three or four pop up and then they can guess. If they don't know who you are, what makes you think they are representing you and not just taking the annual fee to be on the books? Too many bad ones! We had a call from a new one to us, offering us some work - we took it and discovered they doubled our fee, charged us 20% and then hung onto the money for two months. They accidentally included the end client in a reply to us, and the venue found out how much the agent had increased our fee by and it was quite unpleasant even doing the job as they felt truly ripped off! They then paid very late and the agent held it for the same time! We won't use this agent again of course - but so many are of the Del Boy mentality.

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 2:29 pm
by tracie
I bet we can all tell some pretty hideous stories. I have a few but its only with time do you realise what its all about. I learnt big isn't always best, infact the bigger the Agency the worse it can be and we were with 2 so I have had some knowledge on how awful it can be and when you find the right one its like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders. My mate has opened up her own Agency and its great the way she treats her clients, she treats them with respect and doesn't lead them along the garden path saying she can do everything for them if she feels she cant and that is how it should be. We all make mistakes at the beginning as we don't have a clue about what we are doing and rely on the Agencies to help which in our experience they didn't help. They owed us money, charged us for everything, etc etc.

Re: Agency fees

Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2017 1:50 pm
by Adrianna1312
It is very scary for newbies reading horror stories but also great as it gives us an insight into this world and helps us keep our eyes open. DS was adamant he wanted an agent and we've been looking for a while. Applied to a few and eventually auditioned for two who I was amazed were so different. I'm just assumed they would all be the same.
We opted for a smaller out of city team who just made me and DS feel comfortable and happy. The team really seemed to listen and take on board what we needed.
Only time will tell of they are right but I guess if your don't try you will never know xx