by Phillip Simpson, AIPA Vice President (Auckland)
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Network with Photographers
> Join the AIPA and attend local meetings.
> Mingle, network, get your face seen by the professional community.
> Introduce yourself at public events. For example the AIPA runs an assistants table-top expo in April where you can show your work/folio. This is an opportunity to meet photographers and talk in a relaxed setting and is a valuable relationship building opportunity.
Remember that you should always come across as organised, professional, positive, and knowledgeable about the industry.
Network with Other Assistants
> Get to know the assistant community and learn from your colleagues.
> Even the very experienced assistants should be willing to offer you advice and help as they have been through the same process as you.
> Let your friends know you are looking for assisting work and stay in contact with your classmates from university.
> Photographers will often seek recommendations when their favorite assistant is unavailable. These referrals may become your best source of clients.
> Mentoring – The AIPA has an internal one-on-one mentoring programme for members from all levels of the industry. This can be a valuable resource for teaming up with a more experienced assistant and gaining advice and support. It is not, however, a vehicle for directly gaining work.
Full Time vs Freelance Assisting
Working as a full time studio assistant is tremendously valuable, particularly in a hire studio (like Kingsize) that is being used by numerous photographers. However, in reality there are few full time positions available in a market this size.
There is also real value in freelance assisting with a variety of photographers to learn different business models, different personalities and the varied needs of photographers working across a range of disciplines.
The NZ market is much less specialized than say the USA or UK where an assistant might choose to focus on say fashion or still life, so you may need a broader set of skills here than you might elsewhere.
Getting Experience
The inexperienced assistants dilemma - if you don't have any 'real world' experience you will find it difficult finding assisting work.
Options:
> Observing – usually a short term arrangement for the very inexperienced. You would not expect to get paid, but would be offered coffees and possibly lunch if you are lucky.
> Work placements/internships – longer term arrangements which may involve a degree of mentoring and a bit of chipping in. Not normally paid, but food often provided (and sometimes access to equipment depending on how the relationship develops). Also a good way to get to know more experienced assistants. You will need to be very proactive and personable to secure this type of arrangement.
> Being a second (or third) assistant – charge less than an experienced assistant but don’t work for free. You should know the basics but you must be honest about what you don’t know.
This area is a bit of an ethical minefield and so I will just say that it is important to realise that there are advantages to be gained from these approaches that will make you more employable, but the rewards may not necessarily be financial.
However once you are suitably experienced, you must charge appropriately for your professional services. There is a balance to be struck and we all have a responsibility (at every level of the industry) not to undervalue our work, or the industry will become devalued as a whole.
Professionalism
As a professional assistant you must always convey a positive, can-do attitude.
Remember that the budget on any given shoot can be very large and involve a lot of people, so the photographer can be under considerable pressure. You are ultimately there to make the photographers job easier and to make them look good in the eyes of their client. Once you become an experienced first assistant, the photographer will be relying on you to ensure the smooth running of the shoot and to anticipate their needs. Only go into this role if you are ready to take on this level of responsibility.
Recommended Reading
The Photographer's Assistant Handbook
by Matt Proulx
