Photography

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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.

This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.

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What's it like being a photographer assistant? (alien.top)

submitted 11 months ago by radhotchocolate@alien.top to c/photography@viewfinder.pro

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Hi there. I posted in a group about a possible career transition and a photographer reached out to me about needing an assistant. I made sure they were legit. I posted that I have experience in customer services, office services, education services, childcare services, etc. And that I have a bachelor's degree in Child Development. They commented about working in a studio w/ newborns, children, families, and various types of different photoshoots w/ props and settings. I told them I have no experience in photography however I did love supporting creative jobs such as these and that I used to love backstage when I did theatre such as props, makeups, costumes, and stage settings. So that being said if everything goes right and I get the job offer I'm curious what it's like working as an assistant to a photographer w/ their own mini studio.

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[–] sbinst@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Photographers expectations of an assistant will vary somewhat based on the scale of the shoot. I think the basic expectations from a technical standpoint at the scale you’ve mentioned would be

• digitech (managing files on a computer if shooting tethered. Marking good shots etc. capture one is the industry standard software) • facilitating lens changes/battery swaps (so worth understanding some basics about camera gear like lens focal lengths. The photographer will most likely say “can you grab me the fifty?” And you need to know how to identify the 50mm lens quickly. • moving lighting based on direction from photographer (look up how to safely set up a C stand and add sand bags, and how to safely reposition them)

Beyond the technical bits each photographer is different, I personally love creative input and suggestions from my assistants to a degree, but some photographers may not like that. Thats where you figure out how that photographer likes to work. If in doubt, ask!

There’s also a chance this photographer may need more help in the admin side of their businesses and may be expecting you to help with some bookkeeping, organising shoots, client emails and file delivery etc.

Key thing for assistants on set: NEVER guess. If you’re unsure, then ask. Especially when it comes to lights on stands near the public and newborns!