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01/19/2009 10:11:20 PM · #1 |
| So I'm looking for a summer job (for the first time), and I would like to be an assistant to a professional photographer, however I do not really know what criteria is required to be an assistant. If anyone has been an assistant before becoming a professional and was one during their high school years, I would love to know. It's probably unrealistic for me as I have very little background other than high school classes and basic knowledge, but still interested to know :) thanks. |
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01/19/2009 10:31:53 PM · #2 |
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01/19/2009 11:07:57 PM · #3 |
Now Cujee - 20 minutes and you bump? Will you have enough patience to be a photog assistant? (Half in jest but also half serious). :)
Message edited by author 2009-01-19 23:08:16. |
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01/19/2009 11:08:16 PM · #4 |
I was a wedding photographers assistant long before I had my own interest in photography.
She said I was the best she'd ever had BECAUSE I wasn't a photographer or aspiring photographer. I was simply happy to be the assistant - GRIN!
I think you need to decide if you can be happy just assisting (which means carrying, organising, and being a general dogs-body) or if what you're really wanting is to be a second shooter.
I wasn't with my photographer to inhale her information, but I did learn SO MUCH!
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01/20/2009 06:36:57 PM · #5 |
| uhh well i wouldn't mind doing organizing and dog-work, but i would like to help with the actual shoots sometimes. Not really be a second shooter but maybe take a few of the shots here and there. I don't want to be a pro photographer, i am considering to be a semi-pro though. |
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01/20/2009 06:48:05 PM · #6 |
| cujee, dont plan on helping much with the actual shooting until you have assisted for a while. Most photogs arent going to hand over their equipment and time to you until they know your worth it- you gotta prove yourself to them. |
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01/20/2009 06:57:41 PM · #7 |
| ugh that sounds unappealing :P |
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01/20/2009 07:01:40 PM · #8 |
might learn a lot if you work in a hardcore camera store--not Ritz, etc (not dissing Ritz, okay) but someplace that caters to semi-pro, pros (equipment rental, used/consignment stuff, etc.)
just a thought. |
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01/20/2009 07:49:03 PM · #9 |
| there is a camera store in Canada called Henrys, but not entirely sure I'm qualified enough to work there just because you need to have a lot of knowledge on cameras, not that i have none, but I don't think quite to their caliber. |
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01/20/2009 07:52:33 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by cujee:
there is a camera store in Canada called Henrys, but not entirely sure I'm qualified enough to work there just because you need to have a lot of knowledge on cameras, not that i have none, but I don't think quite to their caliber. |
yea--you likely could not get a sales position, but they might be able to use you some other way.... |
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01/20/2009 07:53:54 PM · #11 |
| i think sales position is the lowest position they have, i believe all others require some sort of background in photography or management |
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01/20/2009 08:39:03 PM · #12 |
Assisting can mean a lot of things. As a young, untrained person you'll start at the bottom. All the work needs done by someone so don't think it's 'beneath you' or something like that.
I'm looking for an assistant for wedding and sports T&I.
Tote and carry, cleaning are where you start. Then you move up a bit to 'grip' - setting up the gear (usually lights) and holding things, like reflectors and lights. You can't set up a light until you know what light I want, where it's kept, how to plug in it, what stand, etc. I can't assume you know anything, so I have to teach/show you everything.
This is a great opportunity to learn - WATCH AND LISTEN. Then and only then start asking questions. If you're assisting you are WORKING. Learn on your own time, so to speak. By observing you'll learn a lot - then when you ask a quetion it will be an intelligent one and you won't come across as pesty.
For the sports stuff you'd run the table - organize the teams, collect the money, give directions to hundres of kids and parents and be as happy as if it was christmas morning and you just got a ferrari with playmate of the year in it. :D This same workflow applies to many other jobs as well, like HS reunions, christmas pets, etc.
Then you get to work on the computer - at first ordering images perhaps and later some editing.
Perhaps you can second shoot during the ceremony at weddings and maybe at receptions as during those times there's nothing else for you to do.
Then you get to learn to unpack orders, assemble framed prints, etc.
See, I'm nice. I don't have you washing my car. I've had entry level jobs that included that and anything else the boss wanted. You work and get paid or go home unemployed. It's called 'paying your dues'!
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01/20/2009 08:39:25 PM · #13 |
| My first job was photographer's assistant at a large corporation. I spent most of my time cleaning the studio, breaking down sets, shopping for props and the occasional generic studio potrait. I conducted the model searches, dealt with all the talent agents, and was responsible for all the location scheduling. For the location shoots, I packed all the equipment, hauled it, and did anything that the primary needed from me. It's great experience...but, don't expect to do much shootin! |
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01/20/2009 08:42:56 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by imagesbytlp:
My first job was photographer's assistant at a large corporation. I spent most of my time cleaning the studio, breaking down sets, shopping for props and the occasional generic studio potrait. I conducted the model searches, dealt with all the talent agents, and was responsible for all the location scheduling. For the location shoots, I packed all the equipment, hauled it, and did anything that the primary needed from me. It's great experience...but, don't expect to do much shootin! |
I worked as an assistant for a large company as well. This is exactly how it is. Lots of packing and unpacking. Painting sets every other day. Lot's of grunt work. Not much shooting. |
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