Heather Elder
Founded in 1996 in San Francisco, California, Heather Elder Represents was born out of the creative energy of the 90s dot-com boom; a time when innovation and imagination shaped the city’s identity. It was the perfect moment for Heather Elder, whose passion for artists and their craft inspired her to build something enduring: a community that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and excellence. Over the years, Heather and her agency have earned a reputation for representing artists whose work pushes boundaries and inspires audiences. With a discerning eye for talent and an unwavering commitment to clients, Heather has grown her agency into a trusted resource for brands and creatives alike. Today, Heather Elder Represents is a respected industry leader with a team of five, representing 14 photographers/directors and a CGI/AI + Animation studio. Together, they bring diverse perspectives and world-class storytelling to global brands. Beyond the agency, Heather is an active voice in the creative community; hosting the Dear Art Producer and Community Table podcasts and serving as a founding board member of the Artist Management Association, where she continues to advocate for artists and the evolving role of representation in today’s industry.
Two friends, three decades, one industry seen from completely different seats. Jigisha Bouverat (Director of Art Production at Chiat\Day, production company owner, photography app founder) and Heather Elder (artists' rep, podcast host, founding member of the Artist Management Association, AI Committee Co-Chair) walk through the eras that shaped commercial photography, and them, in a candid conversation about what changed, what broke, and what it takes to keep building a career when the ground keeps moving.
A live recording of the Dear Art Producer podcast, hosted by Heather Elder. Heather sits down with Sari Rowe, freelance producer at Omnicom, and other producers from the agency and brand side for a conversation about the state of the industry from the people who hire, brief, and shepherd creative work. Expect honest talk about AI's growing role in production, how treatments and estimates are evolving, the realities of usage and terms & conditions, and how agency and brand-side producers are navigating today's marketing landscape together. Audience questions encouraged; bring your curiosities about the business behind the work.
A forward-looking conversation on how photographers and creatives are incorporating AI into their work, exploring the creative, ethical, and practical dimensions of a technology that isn't going anywhere. Grounded in curiosity rather than fear, the panel aims to leave attendees more informed and more empowered.
A candid, high-level conversation about how agency work operates. Panelists dig into how photographers get discovered, how usage and licensing are evolving in the age of AI, and what it means to get seen now.
Space is limited. Get your passes today.
