Alex Jenkins

Alex Jenkins is an Art Director who has commissioned photographers Rankin, Mario Godlewski, Ewen Spencer, Richard Lewis as well as others. He worked on the branding of massive bands such as the Prodigy and The streets as well as companies including NTL and O2. 

The talk was interesting in that he gave a different point of view and how to interact with Art Directors who at the end of the day are going to be the people who create work for photographers. Alex mentioned that Mario Godlewski whom he gave a break to, would constantly take his work to the extent that he was almost pestering him, but eventually Alex gave him this chance and now Mario is working as a fashion photographer in New York. When asked what it was he liked about a photographer and why he decided to use them his answer was simply because they were square (Medium format)

Alex talk mentioned changes from when he was working at XL records and producing album covers and how the market has changed due to recession at present and art directors are using stock libraries a lot more due to time limits but most importantly cash restrictions. Stock libraries have different implications for photographers firstly your photographs will be up against loads of different similar images but then you are reaching art directors all around the world which you wouldn't be able to reach without the stock libraries. 

Alex said that he personally prefers to commission photographers as he feels this way you get the original image that the art director had envisioned in their head. he went on to say that the best photographers understand the brief thus keeping the vision of the art director. This is vitally important to do as a photographer the worst thing you could do is to upset those hiring you and thus later on lose work. He expanded what he thought made a good photographer to be consistent at this as well.  

The second half of Alex's talk consisted of him talking about his work since XL Records

and looking at branding which he broke up into seven categories; Logotype, website, Merchandise, Advertising, Direct Mail, Photography, Stationary. Branding is extremely vital to a company and helps customers recognise a company, and quoting Alex 'Photography is the part that brings it to life'.   

Alex also offered some invaluable advice on how to deal with art directors mentioning that business talk is important and to not to be scared about talking about price's for a photograph.  Also when talking with art directors not to be cocky but do be confident, passionate and down to earth when talking and just because they might not offer you any work strait away carry on showing them new work and going in to build up a relationship with the art director because when something does come in that is suited to your style they will offer it to you.