To art buy, or not to art buy.
When you work for/in big ad agencies you have Art Buyers. You come up with your idea and you tell your Art Buyer what kind of look/feel you’re after. The Art Buyer goes away and comes back a few days later with some photographers portfolios for you to have a look at. And you make your recommendation based on their expertise of shortlisting the best photographers for your job within your budget.
Unfortunately, most provincial ad agencies don’t have Art Buyers. Usually because the Creative Dept isn’t big enough to warrant one. So the onus to know who’s out there falls on the Art Director. This isn’t an ominous task. I, and most ADs I know, have had to do this throughout their careers. So, it’s always handy to get recommendations from your colleagues or mates in other agencies.
I had the privilege of working with David Stewart while I was with Pravda advertising in Manchester. Brilliant photographer and very nice bloke to work with. He doesn’t take pictures – he tells stories with wit and simple sophistication.
This is for those ADs who don’t work in agencies with Art Buyers. You may know his work already and have his site bookmarked. If not, here are a few samples of his work. Though, a trip to his website will leave you much more satiated.
David Stewart