Career Paths Research | Professional Studies | Year Two

Photography Assistant

http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles_and_stories/job_roles/374_assistant_photographer

Basic roles of a photography assistant are all about doing whatever the photographer needs, as an assistant you need to make sure the shoot runs smoothly, assist the photographer in any way you can during and also dealing in administration. scouting shoot locations etc. 
This role will require you to do the following:

• be willing to learn

• be organised and practical

• understand how to operate digital and traditional cameras, and scanning equipment

• anticipate the needs of the photographer

• have excellent communication skills

• be able to foresee and evaluate potential problems, and deal with them calmly

• be skilled in image-manipulation and image-management software

• possess good office skills

• pay close attention to detail

Becoming an assistant to a photographer that you look up to or an up and coming photographer is a really good way to open lots of doors as a photographer, not only are you learning from an already established photographer but you have the time and facilities to create your own portfolio all whilst getting better.

This takes out the stress of owning the business themselves it means they can focus all their time on learning. One downside to this job is that it doesn't pay well, a lot of these job opportunities are in London, which is a very expensive place to live, this can cause issues financially for assistants. This is something that i almost consider a deal breaker for me, although the life lessons are priceless, the cost of living is just too high in some cases meaning sacrifice getting the job would be all i could do. 


Do you need any qualifications for this role?The advanced Apprenticeship in photo imaging is something that is recommended to have if you are looking into possibly getting a job as an assistant, also having a higher education in photography is something they may possibly look for. 

However in some instances due to it being a entry-level job some photographers may hire people with little of no experience, training them there and then. But experience even in the smallest amount is preferred. 

If you are hired by a photographer who is studio based a good thing to have knowledge on is setting up and taking down equipment such as lighting and backdrops. Once you are aware of how a photo shoots runs and how to run it you could be introduced to important people behind the shoot such as models, art directors, clients. The photographer may also give you an insight on future project and get you to work closely with them. 

Back to earning little money being a photographers assistant. Sometimes it is recommended that you serve as an assistant to a hand full of photographers this would benefit you massively in two ways, not only does it keep your monthly wages looking like that of a normal 9-5 worker but it also will give you a massive insight into the ways different photographers work and you may pick up various different traits that are good to have. Some photographers cannot even afford to employ one assistant then others may have several.

Where might the role take me?

• Advertising and Editorial Photographer

• General Practice or Social Photographer

• Unit Stills Photographer

• Fashion Photographer

• Press Photographer or Photojournalist

• Corporate (Industrial and Commercial) Photographer

• Staff Photographer

I like the idea of going to a photographer and helping him out being their assistant would teach me valuable lessons and traits that i couldn't get anywhere else, the money side of this job worries me tremendously, but i do know i like the idea of possibly having my own studio one day, portraiture and editorial photography interest me massively, and i feel in the future it could be beneficial for me to learn and work alongside an established photographer.