Craigslist ad for assistant...how to reply??

Someone I've been watching on facebook said she was looking for an assistant or two and put up an ad on craigslist.

I have no work experience as a photographer or assistant.

I am interested in talking to her about this but don't know how to approach her. Do I send a resume, cover letter and put together a portfolio? The professional in me says yes but with no real experience and just a few community school classes under my belt I have no idea what I would put IN the resume?!?!?

here's the ad...

I'm a wedding & portrait photographer and in need of 1 or 2 permanent assistants. I need someone (or 2 people as I realize not everyone is available week after week) - to assist on all assignments: engagements, bridals, boudoir, newborns, children and at weddings. A lot of weekend work is required but there should be no travel. This assistant position is NON-SHOOTING! I mainly need someone to help with gear, lighting, keep on schedule (for weddings), etc.

Compensation depends on experience, etc.

Thank you very much in advance.

I don't think a portfolio is necessary, she makes it clear that the assistant won't be using a camera. She is looking for someone to lug gear about and set up lights etc.

Just send a reply, mentioning that you enjoy photography and so know what the basics are going to be, you won't need to be told what a lightmeter looks like, if she asks you to get one from her bag etc. I wouldn't worry about lack of experience, she just seems to be after a gofer.

I can do gopher! I think I'll learn a lot.

Thanks for your thoughts!

JCJohnson wrote in post #11849642
I can do gopher! I think I'll learn a lot.

I'm sure you will. Gofering was always considered the way to go before turning pro, you learn the business on somebody else's dollar.

I hope it works out for you. Good luck with the application.

The way I got my assistant position was just by calling up to the best photographer in the area and ask if they needed an assistant and he asked me to come over. I brought over my lame portfolio with super saturated images cuz I thought it looked cool and we talked. It turned out he was getting tired of lugging around the medium format gear at weddings and I called at the right time! I ended up doing the first wedding for free to see how things went and I gave 200%. I showed up early, paid attention to everything I could, part of my job was loading the medium format backs and packaging up the exposed rolls with out exposing them to light, this was freaky at first cuz it was a lot to risk. I counted exposures and had the next back ready before he even knew he was about to run out of film and this is one thing that won me the job for the rest of the summer! He loved not having to wait to start shooting again.

My advice is to look up the most seasoned pros that are doing the best business *those advertising on craigslist may not be the elite of the pro's, but you never know* and ask if you can be their assistant, and maybe even offer to do the first wedding for free so they can check out the chemistry.