The hidden costs of agent representation

It’s a widely accepted fact that agency representation can make a creative’s career (and bank account). What about when it doesn’t?

Signing with an agency can be life-changing. A good agent can source jobs, negotiate contracts, open doors to high-profile clients, and relieve a photographer, stylist, or other freelance creative of the admin weight that can bog down even the most organised of creative minds.

But while this setup can work brilliantly, it's less discussed that, for some, the downsides quickly outweigh the perks: miscommunication, power plays, lack of transparency, financial burdens, and outright neglect turn what should be a supportive partnership into something draining. After speaking with several industry insiders (who chose to remain anonymous for obvious reasons), it’s clear that this supposed match made in creative heaven can quickly become a living hell.