Has anyone here worked as a photographer's assistant?

[ThomasOwenM]

I'm considering doing that line of work and would appreciate feedback from someone who's done it. What skills are usually expected and what's the typical work day like?

[sfaust]

I haven't worked as an assistant, but I hire them daily and can give you a feel of what I expect on a job.

First and foremost is reliability, ability to work with people well, proper appearance for the project, and a good work ethic.

Reliability is self explanatory. I don't want to count on an assistant only to have them flake out the day of the job. This also means reliable transportation with a backup plan for failures (cab fare, etc). If an assistant is crucial on a job, I hire two just in case. If they are that crucial, then having two will be an asset to the project anyway and gives me backup.

Since its a people business, the ability to work well with others is essential. I obviously can't tolerate someone that rubs people the wrong way since its a direct reflection on my business.

Appearance is also a direct reflection on my business. If we are shooting at a local business, shabby clothing, piercings, wild hair, etc, have no place. If we are shooting rock stars, well, an assistant dressed out this way could be an advantage, even giving me credibility in that world :)

Work ethic. Someone willing to put in a full days work, see what needs to be done and jump right in. My best assistant knows how I work, and always seems to be there with equipment I need.

For photographic talent, I need them to be able to use a light meter, understand the settings on my lighting equipment. Know how to assemble and remove light modifiers.

I expect them to unload and repack the equipment on their own. 80% of the time I help with this, but other times I need to be working with the client and they need to be self reliant. I am creating a sheet with an inventory of items for each case, with a photograph showing how it all fits. They will be able to verify the inventory and pack it correctly using these sheets. One for each case.

For assistants I've used before and work with me often, I teach them my cameras, equipment, settings, etc. and they generally handle lens changes, tripod or grip setups, etc. I verify all settings before I shoot, and I handle the flash cards myself.

I also expect them to help out with whatever I need during the shoot. Anything from being a gofer for whatever we need, adjusting lighting, help the models or stylists, holding reflectors, adjusting props, scouting, driving the equipment van, grabbing food for the crew, etc. Pretty much whatever.

If the shoot is complicated and we need shot by shot records, an assistant usually documents each shot on a form shot list. Depending on the shoot, I may also ask them to run the computer during tethered capture sessions. If I shoot medium format digital, I sometimes also hire a digital assistant or digital tech to handle the digital end of things.

There is probably lots more, but nothing that I can glean off the top of my head.

[Go Go]

Stephen gave some great advise.

Let me add that ASMP can also help you reach working photographers. And ASMP has a special membership level for assistants.

Good assistants become very popular, and in a big city can be working every day they wish to.

good luck

[ClickClick]

I wish I could find some in the Ft Lauderdale area to assist.

[Go Go]

http://www.asmpflorida.org/

[Funky B]

Out of curiosity...what would someone that could meet sfaust's criteria reasonably expect to get paid?

[ClickClick]

Out of curiosity...what would someone that could meet sfaust's criteria reasonably expect to get paid?

Heck, I would be willing to do it for free a few times if I could learn.

[PhotosGuy]

Stephen gave some great advise. I agree! what would someone that could meet sfaust's criteria reasonably expect to get paid? I'm not up on todays rates, but the peanuts I/we was/were paid decades ago were worth their weight in diamonds.
OTOH, someone who is already a professional assistant can expect a "living wage".

[breal101]

It varies by location but $150 to $250 a day is somewhere in the ballpark.

[ClickClick]

http://www.asmpflorida.org/


Is that club worth the $10 it costs to join?

What I am asking really is do they really hire assistants off their member lists? Has anyone ever used it?

[breal101]

ASMP dues are a lot more than 10 bucks, at least when I was a member a few years back they were. Joining as an assistant I don't know about but there are different levels of membership. And yes they do hire assistants from that list. ASMP is a very good organization, local chapters vary but it is well worth considering.

[ClickClick]

ASMP dues are a lot more than 10 bucks, at least when I was a member a few years back they were. Joining as an assistant I don't know about but there are different levels of membership. And yes they do hire assistants from that list. ASMP is a very good organization, local chapters vary but it is well worth considering.


I just joined the club, it really was only $10. But that is prorated until December 31st. I figure that is adquate enough time to let me judge how it is and if I can find some assistant jobs out there.

[sfaust]

Out of curiosity...what would someone that could meet sfaust's criteria reasonably expect to get paid?

For someone that meets the criteria I mentioned, I usually pay around $200-250 per day. There is only one person that I work with that I pay this rate to. Most others fall somewhere in the middle, and I pay $150-$200. This rate is pretty typical for the Boston area. For people that are new to me and haven't proven themselves, I usually hire them as second assistants at $100-$125 per day. And then there are times people volunteer to help out just to learn. I try to give them something useful in the way to info, and lunch and sometimes gas money.

[ClickClick]

For someone that meets the criteria I mentioned, I usually pay around $200-250 per day. There is only one person that I work with that I pay this rate to. Most others fall somewhere in the middle, and I pay $150-$200. This rate is pretty typical for the Boston area. For people that are new to me and haven't proven themselves, I usually hire them as second assistants at $100-$125 per day. And then there are times people volunteer to help out just to learn. I try to give them something useful in the way to info, and lunch and sometimes gas money.


How many hours of a day does your work in these cases require?

Give the choice, would you rather pay for an experienced assistant who knew a bit about the requirements and what you needed or would you rather have someone who volunteered to learn as they go and occassionally hit you up with the odd question regarding lighting and such?

[Funky B]

How many hours of a day does your work in these cases require?

Give the choice, would you rather pay for an experienced assistant who knew a bit about the requirements and what you needed or would you rather have someone who volunteered to learn as they go and occassionally hit you up with the odd question regarding lighting and such?


Thanks for the reply sfaust (and others) and good questions ClickClick. i'll hang up and listen...:)

[sfaust]

How many hours of a day does your work in these cases require?

Give the choice, would you rather pay for an experienced assistant who knew a bit about the requirements and what you needed or would you rather have someone who volunteered to learn as they go and occassionally hit you up with the odd question regarding lighting and such?

The rate is for a 10 hr day, but often we are done in less time. So there is an average of about 8hrs a day as a general rule. The 10hr is there to cover 8hrs shooting with the client, and 2 hrs for travel, packing equipment, etc.

It all depends on the project. If I will be very busy with the client and the shoot, I would have the experienced assistant since I'll have my hands full anyway. I don't want to spend any time explaining what I need done, I just want it done. If its a pretty relaxed shoot, then I'd take some much less experienced since I'll have more time to explain what I need done.

Or, I'll hire my best assistant to handle the technical stuff, and use a less experienced person to assist us both when I have the ability to use two assistants.

[Mike Photo]

Hello sorry to bring back an old thread and hijack it but i had some question and this seemed better then starting a new similar one. I have been doing assisting in the san diego area and now am trying to do freelance assisting in the Boston area. I have done some small work and have now gotten interviews with s few larger studios. I have set my rate around 150-200$ based on my limited experience in the area but large knowledge of handling equipment and restoration skills. but today i received an email asking in addition my overtime rates, traveling rates, and location rates and hours in a day. previously i based it on a 9hr day but your 10hr day seems fine aswell. but my problem is I have been going on no aditional rates for these services partly because i have limited experience in this style work. before i either was hired for a location shoot for a day or to or was hired to come work at a studio. this job will be larger so im unsure of what to establish as a rate.
Thanks
Mike Photo

[robgr85]

Hello sorry to bring back an old thread and hijack it but i had some question and this seemed better then starting a new similar one. I have been doing assisting in the san diego area and now am trying to do freelance assisting in the Boston area. I have done some small work and have now gotten interviews with s few larger studios. I have set my rate around 150-200$ based on my limited experience in the area but large knowledge of handling equipment and restoration skills. but today i received an email asking in addition my overtime rates, traveling rates, and location rates and hours in a day. previously i based it on a 9hr day but your 10hr day seems fine aswell. but my problem is I have been going on no aditional rates for these services partly because i have limited experience in this style work. before i either was hired for a location shoot for a day or to or was hired to come work at a studio. this job will be larger so im unsure of what to establish as a rate.
Thanks
Mike Photo

thank You for digging to that topic. Very interesting for me. You have very nice rates there in US.

Cheers,
Robert

[Mike Photo]

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