Getting Started as a Photographic Assistant
by Phillip Simpson, AIPA Vice President (Auckland)
Photographic assisting can be an extremely beneficial stage in a young photographers professional development. The exposure to a wide variety of equipment and work practices provides invaluable experience that will help prepare an assistant for their own photographic career. However, the assisting field is also a highly competitive market that can be difficult to break into. If you're an aspiring assistant you will probably be wondering "where do I begin?" so here are a few tips to help get you started.
Research
Find the photographers whose work you most admire - i.e those who are doing the kind of work you aspire to doing yourself. The AIPA website and Workspace books are useful resources. Check out the credits in magazines you like. Look at advertising agency websites and find out who has shot their campaigns.
More Research
Find out as much as you can about your targets and think about their likely needs before you approach them. A studio based photographer will have a different workflow to someone who works mostly on location. You need to consider how you will become an asset to the individual photographers’ business.
Write a CV
This should be short and concise (no more then one A4 page ideally – you want it to get read). It should focus on one aim – conveying what skills and/or experience you have that will make you a valuable resource on a photo shoot. Remember this is a strategic marketing exercise and that you are competing with numerous other aspiring assistants to get noticed.
The CV should include:
> An introductory paragraph that conveys clearly who you are and why you are passionate about being a professional photographic assistant
> A concise list of equipment you are experienced with
> A list of photographers you have assisted/done work experience with
> Mention of a current clean drivers (if you have one)
> A brief, summarized work history. Only list non-photographic jobs if there are transferable skills
> Referees and their contact details if appropriate
It should NOT include:
> Your whole life history
> A list of every job you have ever had
> Anything that does not directly relate to your suitability as a photographic assistant
Establish Contact
Send an introductory email (including your contact details) that establishes that you know and respect the photographers work and that you are actively seeking to assist them in particular. Flattery will get you a long way.
I recommend attaching your CV at this point. (Some photographers recommend you wait until asked – but why not be proactive?)
Most new assistants send blanket emails that have obviously been sent to numerous people. There is nothing more unappealing from a photographers point of view. Remember this is a relationship building exercise, so your approach must be personalized to be successful.
Do not send images. You are not seeking work as a photographer. If you feel compelled to attach an image, make sure it is one that sums up what you are about and which is likely to appeal specifically (based on your research) to the person it is being sent to. Under no circumstances should you email any large image files (i.e. bigger than 200kb) as this is bound to annoy the recipient.
After a day or two, it is advisable to phone the photographer explaining that you sent a letter of introduction and a resume and politely request to meet with them. If they are busy, ask if there is a more convenient time when you could call back.
Remember to mention skills or experience you have that will make the photographer feel you could fit into their business.
If you get brushed off then make a note in your diary to contact the photographer again once you have increased your skill set. Remember you are embarking on a long-term process of establishing your reputation as a trusted assistant. It is not easy, but it is good training for when you start marketing yourself as a photographer.
Have the Right Attitude
Before emailing or cold calling, consider what kind of assistant you want to be. Those who view assisting as a demeaning, subservient role, or something to do while they are traveling will not get far. Photographers want to know that you are committed and that you will be in the role for a significant period of time before they will invest energy in you.
Those who view assisting as an important stage in their professional development are likely to get hired by those they admire and gain experience which will later be invaluable in establishing their own photographic careers.
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