Having an agent as a DP

Hi I have a few questions for people out there who have an agent representing them in regards to how it works. I am based in the UK to uk based advice would be ideal.

Let me explain my situation.

I am a freelance DP with 4 feature films and docs and a few online commercials and plenty of short films/docs under my belt. I also do a lot of freelance work filming corporate interviews, branded content and events for production companies, this is where a good amount of my income comes from. I am self employed for this work.

Aside from this I also own my own video production company as a co-owner with my friend. It’s still small but growing, I pay myself a small salary on a PAYE basis for the work I do for my company.

I am proud of my company and want to continue to grow it, I also have some decent freelance clients as a DP, but I want to step up to the next level as a DOP and work on more high end productions such as more commercials, documentaries and maybe even music videos.

I feel like being represented with an agent with more contacts could open doors for me and also legitimise me further to get those type of jobs. Am I correct?

My other question is, I’m aware they take a commission from the work you do. Does this include the work I already get from my current freelance clients? Also how about the salary I pay myself from my production company? Would they have an issue with that and try and take a cut from it? Ideally I’d like to have my production company and my self employed DOP career as two separate things because they are.

Would appreciate some advice. Thanks