Comments on: Carol LeFlufy, Getting Started As A Photographers Agent

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 22:02:39 +0000

It’s so refreshing to read about an agent who is truly knowledgeable and passionate about what she does. It’s a very stressful process on photographers to find a new agency or change agencies. Many agents don’t realize how important the relationship is with their artist and that it is truly a “marriage”, in which both parties require passion, hard work, and dedication. I’m happy to know there are still some genuine ones out there!

By: jimmyD

jimmyD — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:16:17 +0000

I’m acquainted with more than a few agents and managers, mostly of the actor/writer variety. Although I enjoyed reading your interview with Ms. LeFlufy, her “Getting Started As a Photographers Agent” story is, in a general sense, somewhat familiar. (i.e., when it comes to how many agents and managers became agents and managers.)

As with many endeavors, a fairly linear and natural progression often represents the career paths that details many individuals’ rise to one position or another. Not that that’s a bad thing. It’s not.

While providing more fanciful tales, pure Cinderella stories are much rarer and unlikely to happen to most people no matter how much or how often they wish upon a star.

By: C Helcermanas-Benge

C Helcermanas-Benge — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:57:24 +0000

I remember Carol when she was getting started in Vancouver about ….oh, a few years ago. She was always nice, great with people, totally organized and really on the ball, and obviously heading places..no wonder she has done well!!

Chris Helcermanas-Benge

By: Tony Luna

Tony Luna — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:23:22 +0000

Wonderful article. Thanks for the insights. And think about the words of Rene Decartes when he said, “Luck is the residue of design and desire.” Your commitment speaks volumes to those attributes.

By: lisa

lisa — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:39:40 +0000

chris p – i echo your sentiments. i’ve had the pleasure of working with carol and one of her photographers on a multi-shoot job and not only did i enjoy it, but i learned a lot from the experience!

she really is one of the best agents out there. genuine, friendly, competent, knowledgeable, flexible, smart, interesting…love her!

By: Hasnain Dattu

Hasnain Dattu — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:15:54 +0000

Thanks for the great interview. An agent that puts their top skill as the love of photography shows an understanding for not only her photographers but the resect that is much needed in this industry.

Thanks Carol!

By: Erik Asla

Erik Asla — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:13:59 +0000

Carol is not only a brilliant agent, but one of the nicest and most helpful people in the business. A class act, through and through.

By: Kent Johnson

Kent Johnson — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:26:29 +0000

Another great interview,

thanks Rob.

By: elizabeth avedon

elizabeth avedon — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 23:50:42 +0000

Hey Carol, Great Interview!

By: Joe Meadows

Joe Meadows — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 21:25:11 +0000

Great article!

So interesting to see how a successful career develops.

I am not a copy editor, but it appears you double printed the following name, Max Vadukul.

“I worked at Art + Commerce for ten years as an agent representing Frank, Mary Ellen Mark, Taryn Simon, Ellen von Unwerth, Max Vadukul, Perry Ogden, Max Vadukul and Richard Burbridge. During this time I began teaching at ICP and actively collecting photography and photography books.”

Best regards,
Joe

By: Sophie

Sophie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:23:20 +0000

Thanks for this, really insightful. Have you ever done interviews with/of people working in photo editing/research? Would love to hear their story too.
S

By: Thomas Pickard

Thomas Pickard — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:39:51 +0000

Thanks for a great post.

By: raymundo

raymundo — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:07:19 +0000

Great post! Thank you both!

By: SK

SK — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:49:31 +0000

Nice article on both parts- thanks Rob and Carol

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:12:41 +0000

Luck = preparation + opportunity

By: Chris Polinsky

Chris Polinsky — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:00:25 +0000

Carol is easily one of the nicest and most kind people I have come across in photography. Her people skills are truly something out of this world. I was lucky enough to be an intern at A&C while she was there. And I learned a lot in the little time that I did my internship. She truly is a hard worker and usually the first one there and the last to leave.

Luck can only get you into the room, it’s hard work and hunger that keeps you there.

By: Max

Max — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:48:53 +0000

Great interview, i don’t really believe much in luck in this business, maybe 10% is luck but the rest is planning, choosing the right ppl and keeping a good relationship with your clients and be flexible and …working hard, if you put the time in what you do eventually it will pay off.
Just my take, i am not an agent, i couldn’t sell myself even if i was the only photographer out there :)

By: Robert Karpa

Robert Karpa — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:29:20 +0000

Really great story! I’m always intrigued by how all of the pieces come together and how people end up doing what they do. I actually took a fashion photography class with her way way back and made a lot of great contacts and got some encouragement. Looking back on it, it was one of the pivotal points in getting me started.
R

By: Mason

Mason — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:22:16 +0000

@Steven James Scott,

…but you know what they say about luck.

By: Steven James Scott

Steven James Scott — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:19:18 +0000

Wow.

Great interview. I love that she admits how greatly luck figures into this mysterious equation of getting work as a photographer.