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Photographer's assistant?
9/23/2011 11:20:18 PM
So, I got a message yesterday from a good friend who is a photographer, and she needed an assistant for a wedding coming up where her normal assistant couldn't make it. Long story short, it looks like I've landed a part-time gig as her new assistant. I think this will be a great learning opportunity for me, and sounds like fun. Anyone here ever worked as an assistant? What have I gotten myself into? 
9/27/2011 8:45:23 AM
You'll just be the second shooter, you help shoot, set up lights, move things around and get things set the way that he/she wants. Just remember if you're shooting and the pictures aren't coming out the way you think they should ask him/her what you can do it improve what you're doing. You're there to help him but he/she should be there to help answer your questions and make sure you're getting the shots right.
9/27/2011 10:55:50 PM
How did it go?
9/28/2011 12:35:53 PM
This is how I got started when I did them. One of the best in town taught me. Now technically, he was the best. Former Eastman Kodak employee that worked in their production department. This guy taught me soooooo much about using a strobe on camera and how to balance light between existing and strobe, and how not to leave big ass shadows in the photos. Fill light in the out doors, etc...
Great opportunity!
Great opportunity!
9/28/2011 12:43:20 PM
Usually you're a hand.
If you're lucky, you'll be a second shooter but don't count on it.
If you're lucky, you'll be a second shooter but don't count on it.
9/29/2011 2:01:02 AM
The good news is you are going to be a monkey lifting and moving things, and you get to shoot candids at the reception. You could not pay me any amount to to shoot a freaking wedding. Either the bride, her mom or the maid of honor will be a bitch on wheels and ruin the shooters day. Never fails. At least as an assistant, you can deflect the bitchiness to the one getting paid. LOL
9/29/2011 8:50:09 AM
Originally Posted By strick909:
The good news is you are going to be a monkey lifting and moving things, and you get to shoot candids at the reception. You could not pay me any amount to to shoot a freaking wedding. Either the bride, her mom or the maid of honor will be a bitch on wheels and ruin the shooters day. Never fails. At least as an assistant, you can deflect the bitchiness to the one getting paid. LOL
The good news is you are going to be a monkey lifting and moving things, and you get to shoot candids at the reception. You could not pay me any amount to to shoot a freaking wedding. Either the bride, her mom or the maid of honor will be a bitch on wheels and ruin the shooters day. Never fails. At least as an assistant, you can deflect the bitchiness to the one getting paid. LOL
This is why I just say NO to weddings now.
9/29/2011 2:14:04 PM
Originally Posted By ScottsGT:
This is why I just say NO to weddings now.
Originally Posted By strick909:
The good news is you are going to be a monkey lifting and moving things, and you get to shoot candids at the reception. You could not pay me any amount to to shoot a freaking wedding. Either the bride, her mom or the maid of honor will be a bitch on wheels and ruin the shooters day. Never fails. At least as an assistant, you can deflect the bitchiness to the one getting paid. LOL
The good news is you are going to be a monkey lifting and moving things, and you get to shoot candids at the reception. You could not pay me any amount to to shoot a freaking wedding. Either the bride, her mom or the maid of honor will be a bitch on wheels and ruin the shooters day. Never fails. At least as an assistant, you can deflect the bitchiness to the one getting paid. LOL
This is why I just say NO to weddings now.
You have to do your research and not just accept anyone.
After a few dozen weddings the past several years, we've only had 1 truly bad client and 2 or 3 somewhat annoying/problematic clients. The first "bad" client was our wakeup call, and now we will flat out refuse to do business with people we get a bad feeling about during our consultations. That has kept the riff-raff down to a minimum.
But even most of the good weddings are stressful and have some downsides to them.
We are considering cutting back/stopping weddings, but it's mostly due to the ridiculous amount of time and effort that goes into them.
10/1/2011 11:09:28 PM
it really depends on the photographer, and on the type of shoot. I've worked for some photographers where I was a second shooter and it was great and other times where the assistant is the "gear bitch" hauling equipment around and and holding reflectors, so it really depends. generally speaking for event photography you're more likely to be the a second shooter where as with studio/modeling shoots you're more likely to be the bag carrier/light adjuster/reflector holder.
10/4/2011 12:09:56 PM
Haven't gone yet, the wedding is in just under two weeks. I will be helping carry gear and shooting, and she is very interested in helping me learn and advance my skills. She uses an assistant for most weddings to help capture a second perspective, and get more candid-type shots. If I like it, I'll have the opportunity to keep working with her, and to stay aboard as an assistant, eventually going out to shoot on my own for her company.
Talking with her yesterday, she's only had a few weddings she's been asked to shoot that were a pain... most apparently go really smoothly. So, I'm going to reserve my judgement on that until I get a few under my belt.
I can't wait.
Talking with her yesterday, she's only had a few weddings she's been asked to shoot that were a pain... most apparently go really smoothly. So, I'm going to reserve my judgement on that until I get a few under my belt.
I can't wait.
10/5/2011 2:23:09 PM
Originally Posted By ColonelHurtz:
Usually you're a hand.
If you're lucky, you'll be a second shooter but don't count on it.
Usually you're a hand.
If you're lucky, you'll be a second shooter but don't count on it.
This. Youll likley be a gopher, tie straightner, light mover, pack mule, coordinator, etc.
You might get to shoot as its basically free if the photog has a secone (digital) camera.
Oh and if you go outside youll be a mobile reflector/shade holder
I had fun doing it but its not as common as it used to be.
