Today on the podcast, we welcome superstar agent Kelly Montez, CEO of Apostrophe reps. She’s been an agent for 18 years and has been a first-hand witness to the many changes affecting our industry.

 

Tune in for our first in-depth conversation with a rep on the importance of community, exciting industry changes, and the need for law degrees!

 

Key Takeaways

[:32] Heather introduces Kelly and asks her to share the story of how she made her way into the advertising industry and the people and businesses that shaped her path and propelled her forward.

[6:18] Find out what advice Heather gave Kelly when she was starting out that she still finds worth sharing in both professional and personal settings!

[9:40] Kelly shares how motion and brand direct conversations are the most exciting changes she is currently fielding in the industry. She touches on how it affects working relationships, the photographers and the entire creative process.

[11:44] 80% of the bids that come in have some motion aspect to them, and as a result, all of Kelly’s photographers do motion at differing levels.

[13:33] Kelly shares some interesting feedback she’s been getting from agencies with regards to 2020!

[14:50] Listeners have been asking for Heather to talk to a rep, wondering what different roles they perform. Kelly obliges and dives right into the meat of what it is to rep for photographers.

[18:00] Kelly shares the one thing that will most predictably lead to new and recurrent work.

[21:20] The rep job has changed at the same pace as the industry, Kelly shares what her work used to be like as well as the aspects that have remained the same.

[24:22] Heather and Kelly discuss the ever-growing contracts and legal requests and their implications, and both ladies have come to think they should have gotten law degrees!

[29:40] How does a photographer define success? Kelly touches on the professional and personal growth of her artists, which leads to a discussion on treatments and creativity.

[36:35] If we’ve never worked together, be upfront about the budget! Heather and Kelly discuss the differences between working with new brands or inexperienced brands and big established companies.

[40:50] Getting Kelly’s attention is difficult! But when she looks into new artists, they often come up through the agency’s styling division. However, they work with a lot of off-roster artists.

[49:15] Being part of a bigger community.

[51:20] Heather thanks Kelly for coming on the podcast!

 

Thanks for listening.

 

In an industry where the rules are always changing, it’s helpful to hear from those on the front line. Heather Elder is the visionary behind NotesFromARep’sJournal.com; visit her website for industry updates, stunning photography and video, and the artists behind the work.

 

Mentioned in this episode

Apostrophe Reps

 

More about your host

Heather Elder’s Bio

Heather Elder’s Blog

Heather Elder on Instagram

Heather Elder on Twitter

Heather Elder on LinkedIn

Heather Elder on Facebook

 

More about today’s guest

Kelly Montez on LinkedIn