How To Become A Photographer’s Assistant: What I Look For

So, here’s a good look at how to become a photographer’s assistant. Full disclosure, I set myself up as a photographer from the start, without assisting. I charged very little or did stuff for free at first so basically learnt on the job.

But I have had plenty of people approach me looking to work as an assistant, and had several work for me. I know why I appointed who I appointed so I hope this article will help you find the position you want.

The first point is not really on the list, but it covers everything that comes after – get on and DO IT. Only spend so long reading up, tinkering with your portfolio, researching. Get out there and talk to people.

And try not to worry about possible failure or being declined. I think that is the single most important thing I could say. When you’re getting in to a business that relies very much on your initiative, often working for yourself, it’s just so important to simply GO FOR IT. With a passion.

Anyway, on to my cool little list. Hope you like it.

1. Research Your Photographers

Are they any good? What’s the point assisting a photographer who doesn’t really know the ropes themselves?

Do you like their work? It might not necessarily be the field you think you want to get in to, but if it’s early days it’s well worth trying out a whole range of genres. You might be surprised. And there is certainly a lot of cross-over in the skills you will pick up.

Work for someone you admire and you’ll be able to work out over time how they’ve achieved what they have. Take away those lessons and apply them yourself.

And the more you know about them, the more you’ll understand their motivations and needs too. It will help you get that assistant job you’re after, and become a better photographer yourself.

2. Google It

Rather than take this approach, you can of course just Google ‘photography assistant jobs’ and trawl through the mass of stuff that comes up. I thought about listing some websites here, but there really are so many it wouldn’t serve that much purpose.

I’ve just tried a Google search and added my location in too, and found what looked like a great paid freelance assistant post straight away.

OK, lots of the results won’t be quite right, and you aren’t going to get top photographers posting jobs in this way, as they’ll have enough people approaching them, but there will be a few nice opportunities hidden away.

Even if you’re only getting limited experience, say just transporting and lugging kit around, that’s going to be a massive help to the photographer, who will hopefully provide some insights in return. And it’s as good a place to start as anywhere if you’ve limited experience, and will help set you up to approach photographers you want to work for directly.

Who knows where it might lead, and at the very least you have a little more knowledge under your belt for the next time round. Whatever you do, try and learn as much as you can whilst you’re there.

3. Put Yourself In The Photographer’s Shoes – What Do They Need?

This is SO important. It’s great to show your portfolio – more on that later – but making a success out of assisting is first and foremost meeting the needs of the photographer you’re working for.

• Does he or she need someone with a car, or someone who can drive theirs?
• What about setting up their equipment?
• Are you able to and happy to make arrangements for a location shoot, either a commercial shoot or for their personal work?
• Do you have any extra little skills, whether that’s managing the administrative side of things or even bookkeeping that might help them?
• Do you know a pool of willing volunteers who might be able to model on personal work (all you fashion students out there) in return for use of the images?

Be ready to offer to do all you possibly can that is needed. That means being clear beforehand what you’re able to do, so it might be making arrangements with your family to have a car you can borrow at short notice for example.

4. That First Contact

I’ve had a fair few people approaching me to work as a photographer’s assistant, and there are plenty of ways they go about it. Here’s how I normally respond to each approach:

• Impersonal email or letter

I don’t always reply to be honest.

• Personal email

Will email back and thank them but will not normally pursue it further.

• Personal letter

Will wait for a call to follow up the letter.

• Cold-call type phone call

Thanks but no thanks.

• Phone call and showing interest in my work or field of work, and asking me what I need

If I’ve got a position available, I ask them to send a portfolio in, or email a CV and see if they do it, potentially taking things further. If I don’t have anything available, at least I will try to chat ideas through with them, perhaps giving some advice if I can.

It’s SO SO important how you first get in touch. I honestly don’t think a generic letter or email is making enough effort. I respond much better to someone taking the time to ring me.

It’s always worked much better for me too, whenever I’m trying to build relationships with businesses and individuals in my main area of interest, wedding and portrait photography. A phone call beats an email any day.

It may sound obvious, but decent grammar and spelling are a must too. The position might not require those skills, but if someone cannot spell check and re-read their emails or a CV before sending it, it doesn’t send out a great message for how professional they’re going to be on the job.

5. Learn stuff

The more you know about the photographer’s field of expertise, the better.

That’s going to include learning how to set up and use the camera kit, and just as importantly the associated software. Test out whatever you can get your hands on – friends kit, free trial software downloads, books and of course Google. The amount of free info there is out there is astonishing.

Knowing about industry trends and is only going to help too. Join photographic associations, read and comment on blogs, and sign up for online forums where you can access amazing advice from pros. Loads of these forums give you the opportunity to send in your work as well for critique.

6. Get Your Portfolio Ready

I wouldn’t say having a great portfolio is a deal breaker at all, but of course showing interest and skills in photography is always going to help. A good portfolio, representative of your experience, will do that. But it doesn’t need to be perfect and comprehensive if you’re just starting out.

Don’t overfill it either. I’d say 20-30 images is fine, but if you’re finding some of these aren’t the best, leave them out. 10 or 15 great shots is a much better option.

I’ve written an article here on how to make a photography portfolio for some more ideas that you might want to check out.

7. Do What You Say You’re Going To Do

Just be reliable. Always.

If there’s a problem, get in touch straight away. I’ve had one or two really flaky assistants and it’s incredibly frustrating. On the other hand, if someone really pulls out all the stops, I am more than happy to find the time to teach them what I know.

And I always get a lot of value in sharing my thoughts and listening to others who have an interest in photography. I’m always looking to pick up new ideas myself.

8. Manners Please

A pretty obvious one, I suppose. But whenever you’re on a shoot or otherwise interacting with clients or suppliers, anyone really, you’re projecting the image of the photographer’s business. Do it right.

9. Get Stuck in

Do anything and everything you can to help. With a smile. You may end up assisting for years – many highly successful photographers have – so don’t give up. It’s such a valuable opportunity to…

10. Learn on the job

Without a doubt for me, there’s nothing better than learning on the job. It’s good for you and your career and good for whoever you’re working for as you’re going to provide more value to them. And it beats any course or workshop hands down.

Absorb information, skills and ideas like a sponge. And make as many contacts as you can. It’s very much a people business too.

Herein ends the sermon.

I really hope this article on how to become a photographer assistant helps, and I wish you every success in finding a great assistant post.

If there’s anything you want to discuss, anything you’re worried about, or you want to share something that has worked really well for you, please leave a comment below.

Thanks,

Stefan

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