Difficult to get a Break

[maytownme]

I have been trying for quite a while now to become a photographers assistant at weddings but with no success yet. I recently added more gear to my kit for this purpose and started getting a people portfolio together as well, which I think is good.Ive contacted local photographers in my area but no one really seems interested in taking on assistants.Ive had offers from the past (2)from friends and family to shoot there weddings for them but I declined because I didn’t want to embark on such an important occasion without prior experience first. I find this very dishearting at the moment because I have a love for photography and I am so enthusiastic about it, and I would really like to start wedding photography on a part time basis. My wife seems to think I should just advertise and explain to potential clients that I am trying to gain experience and would be willing to do shoot there wedding relatively cheap to get started. But this is not the approach im looking for.Im a very thorough person, and I like to be professional in everything I do, which is why I would like proper experience in this kind of work first, hence wanting to be an assistant first. I am at a brick wall at the min on this. I am beginning to think maybe I am being to particular like my wife said and should just go ahead and advertise and explain this to potential clients.Im not so sure. I am posting this hoping for some advice, because I always found this forum an inspiration and a priceless place for sound advice. Thank you.

[liza]

They don't want to take you on because they're probably getting on the average of 5 requests per month from amateurs who want to "do weddings." They don't want to train someone who will eventually undercut them, thus the lack of response to your queries. That's been my own experience.

[shawn.taylor]

Stuff..


Take on one or two with zero expectation via craigslist etc.

For someone who is not going to have a photographer a free one, even with zero experience, is a pretty good deal. No pressure on either side.

Then take the ball and run with it (to be read: market yourself) and if you are decent you will do fine.

Just dive in.

[mmahoney]

I agree with Shawn .. prepare & equip yourself, be honest with the clients about your lack of experience, and have a go at it.

I've three weddings coming up and all were booked on that basis. First two are free, and the third I'm charging just $200 as by then I'll have at least some experience. Depending on the outcome of these three I'll adjust my pricing.
Mike

[motogeno]

I was in the same situation as you and decided to bite the bullet and go on my own. Just offer to shoot for next to nothing and the expectations should be lower. Just do your homework and research and you'll be alright. If you are as intent on offering quality work and doing your homework as you say then there won't be an issue. Read all of Tim's threads for newbies as well.

[maytownme]

Hey guys thanks for the encouraging replies.Il take your advice for sure.

[howzitboy]

shouldnt have declined to 2 offers you had from family. thats the perfect way most people get started!! with family or friends, they will accept your little mistakes cuz they know u and know u are new. But, if anyone hires you, they would think you are used to doing weddings and may not be as forgiving.
just keep trying and post up on craigslist/

[maytownme]

Yeah I shouldnt have turned down the 2 offers I got,good opportunity gone.
I feel stupid for asking but what is "craigslist" ????

[jamiewexler]

http://dublin.craigslist.org/

[maytownme]

Thanks Jamie and everyone.thats fantastic,didnt even know that existed.

[maytownme]

BTW is it just me or does anyone else feel the sigma 24-70 f2.8 is very heavy?Would the 18-50 f2.8 be better or the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 ?

[Tish]

Just make sure that you not only set expectations with the freebie weddings, but that they understand you WILL be using these pictures as part of an online & print portfolio for advertising purposes, and make sure they sign a model release to that effect. Otherwise, you may find you've given your work away for nothing but the experience.

I'm currently soloing at very low prices for the portfolio and second shooting for another photog as well. A recent prospective client tried to line out the copyright bits in the contract (which are already pretty lenient) and refused to sign the model release--I wished them the best of luck in finding another photographer. :lol: While I could always use more experience (who couldn't?), at this point, my priority is great shots for my website, and clearly I wasn't going to get that here.

My policy on that will change shortly (in my case, once I've completed 10 weddings either solo or second; I'm not counting portrait work) and I'll start accepting weddings regardless of the portfolio usage. That will coincide with a new website & a price bump taking me to the lower end of the local mid range market.

Good luck!

[EOS mE]

They don't want to take you on because they're probably getting on the average of 5 requests per month from amateurs who want to "do weddings." They don't want to train someone who will eventually undercut them, thus the lack of response to your queries. That's been my own experience.

Liza.. ain't that the truth!! i've been trying to be a FREE assistant to local photog around my area and when i mentioned that i would eventually go into wedding photog.. that's when all communications cease to exist. :(

this kinda reminds me of how the old sku mechnics or top cheifs back in the day in Asia.. they would teach their pupil so much.. but would always keep a couple hands of their secrets to themselves only. just in case if their pupil decide to become their competitor one day.


Take on one or two with zero expectation via craigslist etc.

For someone who is not going to have a photographer a free one, even with zero experience, is a pretty good deal. No pressure on either side.

Then take the ball and run with it (to be read: market yourself) and if you are decent you will do fine.

Just dive in.

yup.. very good idea. thus far, i've been out on my own trying to make it. but one thing i've noticed is that you definitely need a porfolio first. it doesn't have to be a slamming portfolio, but u need one nonetheless. most of all, do a couple of freebies, whether it's for friends or family or even for ppl on craigslist.

thus far i've shot 1 wedding and 1 engagement for a friend and that was last december. then just recently, i had shot some makeup sessions and will have a freebie wedding shoot end of this month.

so, as u can see it's not all that easy.. but my porfolio is coming along. hopefully it'll get better this year... *time to pray harder now..* ;)

[maytownme]

Hey guys, best of luck in the business.

[sadowsk2]

I'm in the same boat just trying to get started... I just sent some email inquiries out to a couple local photographers shops, but i'm not holding my breath... If that doesn't work then I'll have to just book some dirt cheap...

[JC_Photo]

I didn't realize it is so hard to find a mentor to work with and learn from. I was fortunate enough to find a mentor willing to take me under their wing the first time I asked. We just shot our 5th wedding together on 6/2 and there will be a total of 14 weddings this year he's going to let me tag along on. He tells me I'm doing a good job and uses many of the images I take to show the bride and groom. I am so thankful to him for mentoring me and there is no way I would ever take anything away from him or speak ill of him.

Maybe the pros you have approached are afraid of future competition. Maybe they don't understand the loyalty they would receive should they accept you as an apprentice. Maybe they simply can not take someone on for legitimate reasons but still wish you well. Who knows for sure but if that is the path you feel you need to take I say stick with it. I would suggest that you try to find some photographer groups that meet in your area and network with some of the local pros around you. This might be the foot in the door you have been looking for. Build a relationship with them and then offer your services. It's much harder to say no to someone you know and have more of a personal connection with.

I could never have just jumped in both feet and gone on my own from the start. I did my research because I wanted to be as prepared as I could be. I wanted to be an asset to my mentor not a hinderance so I dug in and read everything I could. All of the studying I did was nothing compared to actually doing it though. I am a hands on person so I learned so much more in 5 days than I did in months of studying the subject.

Whatever path you choose I wish you the best of luck!

I'm going to go call my mentor and thank him again for the wonderful opportunity he is giving me.

JC

[jamiewexler]

Part of the jaded attitude from pros also comes from the lack of follow up from wannabe wedding photograhers. In the past year, I've been contacted by several folks who wanted to tag along. I gave them dates that were open for a 2nd shooter, and told them to get back to me with a date that would work. Not one of them got back to me. Maybe they found a better pro to follow around ;).

[maytownme]

JC you are very lucky in finding a mentor first off,trust me.I would really like to start that way by being mentored first but its not looking like it yet.I know for a fact that any photographer who did take me on would not be let down.I am willing to drive 50 miles away if I have too,I dont expect paid either or travelling expenses.

Best of luck JC.

[Eoseni]

Maytownme, I decided to go solo from the start and skip the mentoring. I had experience from shooting events, just not weddings. If you know the theory of photography, and have the equipment, and experience in other fields of photography, I'd just study up by reading books about wedding photography and forums like this, and then venture out...IF your gut tells you you are ready.

For my first wedding, i made it clear at the beginning of the interview with the couple that that was my first time. I still charged for it, but threw in a free engagement shoot.

From your posts, I see you are conscientious. How about ask the local priest or rabbi to call you if he/she hears of a couple who just wants "snapshots"?

[monter]

I didn't realize it is so hard to find a mentor to work with and learn from. I was fortunate enough to find a mentor willing to take me under their wing the first time I asked. We just shot our 5th wedding together on 6/2 and there will be a total of 14 weddings this year he's going to let me tag along on. He tells me I'm doing a good job and uses many of the images I take to show the bride and groom. I am so thankful to him for mentoring me and there is no way I would ever take anything away from him or speak ill of him.

Maybe the pros you have approached are afraid of future competition. Maybe they don't understand the loyalty they would receive should they accept you as an apprentice. Maybe they simply can not take someone on for legitimate reasons but still wish you well. Who knows for sure but if that is the path you feel you need to take I say stick with it. I would suggest that you try to find some photographer groups that meet in your area and network with some of the local pros around you. This might be the foot in the door you have been looking for. Build a relationship with them and then offer your services. It's much harder to say no to someone you know and have more of a personal connection with.

I could never have just jumped in both feet and gone on my own from the start. I did my research because I wanted to be as prepared as I could be. I wanted to be an asset to my mentor not a hinderance so I dug in and read everything I could. All of the studying I did was nothing compared to actually doing it though. I am a hands on person so I learned so much more in 5 days than I did in months of studying the subject.

Whatever path you choose I wish you the best of luck!

I'm going to go call my mentor and thank him again for the wonderful opportunity he is giving me.

JC

Part of the jaded attitude from pros also comes from the lack of follow up from wannabe wedding photograhers. In the past year, I've been contacted by several folks who wanted to tag along. I gave them dates that were open for a 2nd shooter, and told them to get back to me with a date that would work. Not one of them got back to me. Maybe they found a better pro to follow around ;).

I was fortunate enough to find someone with my first inquiries as well. but I had to work for it. Like Jamie, he got several requests a week and figured I'd be the same way. A year ago, he told me there was a date I could come along and to call him back that week to find the time. I had to call 3 times that week before he'd return my call. that way he knew I was serious. I started out with a couple weddings for free. then I moved to a graduated scale base on the number of useable images. Now I make a set amount and as a reward for my loyalty am shooting as a primary shooter for his company (4 gigs now). When I see the clients finished album, I am happy to say that about 50% of the shots are mine. that's a GREAT feeling! I look back on my first weddings and can't believe the progress I've made. I wouldn't trade the second shooter experience for ANYTHING !! Keep trying and good luck!!!

[JC_Photo]

JC you are very lucky in finding a mentor first off,trust me.I would really like to start that way by being mentored first but its not looking like it yet.I know for a fact that any photographer who did take me on would not be let down.I am willing to drive 50 miles away if I have too,I dont expect paid either or travelling expenses.

Best of luck JC.

Thank you very much for the well wishes.

I don't know what your going to do but I will be thinking good thoughts for you. What ever you do don't get discouraged! Keep working toward your goal so that when the opportunity comes up you will be prepared and able to handle it.

JC

[In2Photos]

Sorry to bring this thread back up but I wanted to thank everyone whom commented. I am considering venturing into wedding and event photography so I have been researching anything and everything I can. There is some great information in this thread and I intend to use every bit of it to my benefit. Thanks again.

[italianfemmy]

I have contacted pros in my area and asked if I could shadow with them, 2nd shoot for them or assist them. Everyone says that it would be a "distraction." They know how serious I am and also know I would not open up shop and undercut their prices because I am moving out of this state in 6 months. That's why I want to 2nd shoot here, so the pro I work with knows that I will never be taking any of his/her business since I will be many many hours away from here. Still, no luck. No luck in the surrounding areas either. I am willing to travel up to a couple hours to work with someone. :-( What else is there to do?

[maytownme]

I have contacted pros in my area and asked if I could shadow with them, 2nd shoot for them or assist them. Everyone says that it would be a "distraction." They know how serious I am and also know I would not open up shop and undercut their prices because I am moving out of this state in 6 months. That's why I want to 2nd shoot here, so the pro I work with knows that I will never be taking any of his/her business since I will be many many hours away from here. Still, no luck. No luck in the surrounding areas either. I am willing to travel up to a couple hours to work with someone. :-( What else is there to do?

Hey I thought that you already are shooting weddings???????

From I first posted this thread I have contacted maybe 25 more photographers about assisting or even shadowing,carring bags,making tea/coffee etc and still no luck.I think the only way forward for me is to offer to do a freebie first and make it clear from the word go about having no experience shooting weddings,I plan to do this in about 2 weeks because I am going abroad on holidays in 5 days time:lol: .

I have nearly all the equipment I need except for some small stuff.
The only thing I need is a shoot list and as i speak I am trawing the net for images to use.I think this is very Important to have when first starting.
Can anyone else tell me what I would need,except experience and no nerves:lol: ??????????

[italianfemmy]

NO, I am not shooting weddings. I went to a couple friends weddings out of state and took some shots as a 2nd photographer, asked by the bride and groom to do so. Also, the last wedding I attended in Atlanta, the pro gave me his camera which was already set up with strobes and a remote and stuff and told me to shoot away while he went to the bathroom and again, while he was eating. He loved my pictures and asked me to come and work with him, but that's 6 hours away and in another state! So, I have been looking for someone here locally to work with as a 2nd shooter until I get the experience I need.

[Philco]

The toughest thing about this is that no one values "FREE". It' s a hard situation to be in. I think any opportunity you get to shoot you should take, if only to build your portfolio even a little. A small portfolio will allow a pro to evaluate whether or not you can be useful to them or not right away. Find an attractive couple and take them out for a free engagement session (whether they're married or not!) Get some of your work together, mabye post a gallery if you can and share the link with the people you want to consider you.

From the pro's standpoint, it's just another person asking for a job. Find a way to offer your talent AND dedication instead of just being 'free.'

The first time I ever asked to shoot with a pro, I had a handfull of proofs from my friend's wedding to share (I rented a 70-200 F2.8 for that wedding) and because she like them, she gave me a chance. I shot four weddings with her, which of course opened a lot more doors. I realize luck played a part too.

At the time, My longest lens was a 24-70 and I'll tell you that it's just not always long enough to build a portfolio with if your'e the second and you're staying out of the pro's way. There's a reason the 70-200 is practically part of the wedding shooter uniform.

Best of luck to you,
Cheers
Philip

[maytownme]

Hi Philco.Thats something for me to consider,renting a longer lens,it does make sense all of what you said there.I do have a people portfolio (studio and location shots),and a lot of pros who responded to my emails,did ask to see it.Of course I showed them,but they never got back to me.Ah well,if at first you dont succeed,then try and try again!!!