We recently visited PhotoLink an agency based on
commercial fashion photography in Manchester, who have worked with major brands in the industry. We were welcomed by members of
staff including such as the head of photography, the production team, client based and
retouchers. We were told about the day to day goings on in the offices, and how productions go from start to end result. We were shown into the studios, as well as the stock rooms holding all the pieces that would be photographed in the near future.
I understood after visiting the office, that everything must be organised to a high level to keep on track. With thousands of items of clothing, jewellery and shoes coming in to the building, things need to be kept in the correct places and organised. With such a fast turn around, especially for commerce work, there seems to be a high pressure to be on time for clients, they have a high reputation within the industry, so keeping things on time is paramount.
The office holds a lot of the team, and everyone understand their own role. You can tell that everyone works hard at their jobs, with such a high reputation, it is no wonder brands such as Argos, Tesco, Bank and Ted Baker, come to them to create there images.
The role that interested me the most was the role of the producer. A producer
brings together all aspects of the shoot within the production tea. They are responsible for organising everything that goes into setting up the shoot, finding locations, photographers, models etc. The producer needs to be able to confidently approach clients, and be able to create a good relationship with them. Understand the industry, and everything that needs to be done. They need good knowledge of photography and the client they are working with. I could see myself in such a role, being organised and able to speak to clients confidently about my ideas. It is something I will look to do further research on.
I gained a lot of knowledge visiting Photolink, and would love to work in such an environment.
