How To Become A Photography Assistant
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- You may have noticed that I reached out on instagram yesterday looking for a local assistant. I actually filmed this well before then, but it seemed fitting to post it up now having seen some mistakes a few of you made by applying.
Here is my advice to those who are looking to quit their day job to become a professional photographer My NEW WEBSITE is ready ! www.tinhouse-s...
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I gave a shoutout looking for an assistant over the weekend on instagram, but I had filmed this before, but it seemed an appropriate time to post it instagram.com/scottchoucino/
Been assisting off and on for a number of years and this was absolutely spot on.
Especially making coffee and knowing how to take a food order.
But I recommend to anyone who wants to make it in photography to assist for a few years and learn on the job, but remember the photographer will always know more. And if you want to know why they did something a certain way ask at the end of the day not during the shoot.
Hi Scott, just to let you know we've also just filmed a video on the value of assistants to photographers, which will be released in the next couple of weeks. Purely coincidental!
Hey Karl. Good stuff, be interested to see your views especially as you live on a smaller island than me. I bet it brings its own challenges with this sort of thing.
Two masters here, I will watch yours too Karl, as I always do
I would be useless, I am unemployable and had to be self employed all my life. I found 2 assistants who had the qualities I needed and they stayed with me for over 20 years. Good luck with your search, it is your stage and the actors use your script.
I am also unemployable haha. I had a couple of great ones, but they were young and far too talented to assist so moved on with their own careers.
Scott your videos are excellent. I've been binge watching them since I discovered your channel but this particular one has triggered me. I'd love to see you do a follow up video that prepares photographers for hiring assistants and collaborators and the responsibility they have in doing so.
If you expect Assistants to arrive 10 minutes before their start time then you need to make that clear before hiring them and the call sheet needs to reflect this expectation as well as their time sheet. People start giving up their time for employers the moment they leave the house in the morning.
Communicating expectations before hiring anyone is how you avoid having disappointing experiences with assistants and collaborators. If the rule on set is 'do not speak unless spoken to' then make this clear in the team meeting before the shoot. Reassure Assistants at this point that their ideas are valid but not appreciated whilst the client is on set. Give them permission to vent freely at the pub afterwards.
This is coming from someone who has assisted a lot both voluntarily and paid. Some of the most traumatic work experiences I've had have been in this industry and while a lot were my own incompetence and lack of experience a lot were also down to poor communication and assumed expectations from DOP's and Photographers.
I'm sure people will reply to this comment that I sound like an entitled milenial but the industry needs a shake up and needs to be held to a higher standard when it comes to how we treat each other. Just because you were treated like shit on set when you started out it doesn't mean that's how we treat the next generation.
Here are some of the things that have been said to me over the years...
After arriving on set at 6:45am for 7am start. "Did you shit the bed mate? F- off we're not ready"
After arriving at 7:05am for a 7am start. Remote country location. 3hr+ drive from the city. Not on Google maps. Relying on a hand drawn map. "We can't afford to have a late starter, go home." I had literally spent my last $20 on fuel to get to this job.
I have plenty more horror stories as I'm sure we all do. I also need to make it clear that these are in the minority and most experiences have been positive.
Hey Scott. Let me tell you, I've been following you for some months now, and you are one of those that you cant miss a video. Everything is very well put and explained, without roses and flowers. It's straight to the point talk, teach and opinions. It's 8min, and it's straigh good info all the way. So.. keep it up! I'm looking forward for all the next ones.
Would be an honor to be your assistent, unfortunatly I live in Portugal, so at least I hope I can motivate you to continue what you are doing! Cheers from Portugal!
Thanks for the kind words
I spent 5 years assisting other photographers. It was a great time and I still keep in touch with some of those photographers even after 30 years!
do you have to know how to take photos just as good as the photographer?
I had the opportunity to try out being an assistant to a local photographer, and I fudged it up for many of the reasons you mentioned here. I didn't understand at the time that being an assistant is a dedicated roll within the workflow on a set. I understood it to be something closer to a loose apprenticeship role, a learning opportunity. Because of this, I asked a lot of questions, and I thought far too much for my own good. I also did not do things exactly as described, I tried to innovate, and while I didn't''t feel anything I did was too far off of the instructions at the time, I now recognize any difference can make a problematic impact. I was politely let go very quickly, and I don't blame the photographer at all. I do wish I'd seen this video before then however, because going in, it was just a referred job due to my budding interest in photography, and this delineation was never clearly explained to me at the time.
Very valid points here. Yes listening is key and knowing when to shut up and do the job. I am a graphic and web designer but from time to time I may be on photographic shoots for my clients. I appreciated this video.
I assisted a commercial photographer in Hessle when I left college between that and my first job in photography, and in schools term when I was 15 🙊 he’s a relative of mine and I knew I wanted to be a photographer so I was lucky. (Yes, I feel lucky I got to spend my school holidays working for free 😂) it was an amazing experience! I worked with some massive brands
That sounds like it was a great opportunity
It really was 😂 I remember getting to assist on Thornton’s Christmas website in March 😂 a whole week of photographing chocolate 🤤 and got to take it all home after 😍
This probably isn't want you filmed this for but it made me laugh. Good to see I'm not the only crazy cat person in England. More genuinely, some cracking insight to a running a business 👍
Thanks Riley
Another really interesting video, I've not assisted on a big photoshoot before, but I have done on big(ish) video shoots. The experience ranges between human c-stand to being used as a second camera opp thinking I should be getting paid more for this. I think it's important to have someone good in charge who knows how to manage people - sometimes that can seem like you're being totalitarian but in practice it's just good leadership.
Its always a fine line being in charge. Especially when you are trying to delivery whilst managing people.
@@TinHouseStudioUK Indeed, I'd rather work for someone who knew what they wanted than the alternative.
Great points Scott. At the end of the day as assistant your job is to do what ever needs doing, no bitching, listen, watch what happens on set and just do what's asked.
Also any applying or assisting will need to understand......
No you are not first assistant... That's Moggy's job.
Good luck finding someone. Unfortunately I live on the other side of the planet.
haha. yeah finding someone local is a real challenge for me
It is super hard to find reliable people, honest, trustworthy and who know their stuff! Quality people!
Love this. Spot on! I got to learn ALL these in film school. And yes, I made all these mistakes! 😝
Wait so... emailing, calling and DMing doesnt work? What else is there?
this is one of those times when starting out, to assist for free.
they wont expect a huge amount cause it's not costing them money, and they'll be more willing to teach.
fundamentals such as turning on time should be expected in any case
if they're paying, they expect you to deliver value
Would you recommend anyone to ask if they can give ideas or just do what they are told to, before getting the job. You like to work on your way, others may like new ideas from assistants. As I'm writting this, I realise that maybe if a photographer needs an assistant's idea, maybe they aren't that good? No one is perfect, maybe the photographer is not on a good day and the assistant can save it with a good idea (If the photographer let's him give it). Basically, the assistant would be saying that he is open to wathever is necessary, since they may not know that photographer's personality.
Its a real tough one to be honest. id always rather not have them unless its someone I have worked with for years and they can read the room.
😅 you could certainly do with one of those human assistant robots 🤖 from Korea or Japan 😂 looking at list of requirements, it seems you’re in-fact looking for a grown up, seasoned person (yet choosing to use word ‘assistant’ to pay them less perhaps) who would help on each and everything unless it’s to do with photography itself 😁 (the very reason for them joining😁). It’s interesting you don’t want them to ask any question yet how one’s supposed to learn if they don’t ask questions and you’re not prepared to answer 🤔 😁
I think the miss-understanding is that a photography assistant is anything to do with the photography. It is no different to the stylist to styling assistant roles in the commercial world.
That was very helpful, thank you.
This guy is the most uncharismatic and unfolllowable boss you could imagine to have. Make coffee and do as your told at all times!? Pipe down??? Can't imagine anyone lasting 5 minutes working for this ego maniac.
I think my cat makes up for my lack of charisma :D
You haven’t worked in film or photography before have you?
@@Captain_Jackass do you think 'working' in photography only constitutes working as a commercial photographer and turning it into a soulless pursuit of clients and money or working for an uncompromising boss? I believe it's an art form, and thus, I work in photography every day.
@@retrospective77 being a hobby photographer and working in photography is two very different things. I don’t think one is better than the other, but if you work as a photographer it’s a business. It’s stressfull and time is money. It doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable. Quite the opposite. I love it because it’s fast paced and creative. But it’s not comparable to being a hobby photographer.
@@Captain_Jackass I never said I was a hobby photographer. I do work as a photographer, but it's not a business for me and it doesn't have to be, it's my life's work. Photography is art, it doesn't have to be bound by the realms of 'business'.
Thank you for this video, I like very much your cat :) I was for 4 years photo assistant and I had learned a lot, it is a very good start!!!
Great advice in general for any staffing situation! 👍
Awesome video. I'm making a video on this topic right now!
Hi sir any assisantant photograper need in yours am interested film photography
Unrelated: What football team do you support if you support one? More related: Been working on a TV show past few (pays the bills between shoots while my food work is still growing), and my annoyance has been having only one assistant instead of two and that's because the TV studio won't pay for a second assistant (already paying the first one a bad rate which I don't like) that assistant is not doing well enough in some moments but it is because he is overworked and I think that's unfair on both of us.
If I was local I would totally throw my hat in the race. Unfortunately I'm stuck in America.
Where do I get the barista license so I can work with you?
If an assistant has questions on why you may have done something, is after all is said and done all tasks are done to be able to ask questions?
I like your standards 🎉❤
Just to put it into perspective: Try emailing an airline looking for a pilot telling them you're eager to learn on the job...
Great video 👍
Crikey Scott, assisting you sounds dreadful 😂
Errrrrrrm! Wish I’d seen this before I contacted you! I was Face palming all the way through! My apologies.
hey, i have still a question do you think it would be possible to work as an assistant with an other mother tongue than the master, because of understanding...) thank you
You sound like a hard man to impress but I had a great experience in my assisting days I just made a video on my channel about my experience 👍🏽
I will check it out
good channel,
Thanks
Ah a familiar face! Hey Rob
I'll do it pal, might have to bunk on your studio floor as I'm not commuting from Manchester every day. Gets me away from my 5 kids and the endless suffering of no bookings.
I was thinking the same, also MCR based
@@WhenWillILearn Get your filthy hands off this Sean! Did you miss the part about 5 freaking kids? Huh? HUH?
@@WhenWillILearn Tell him, Scott! He doesn't even have a beard FFS!
@@CraigTravis Denied, 😂 what length does it have to be to be considered a beard?
@@WhenWillILearn Somewhere between that fluff on your face and the hyper masculine face fuzz on Scott's = Mine
hello sir actuly i like photogrhaphy, but i am not a profesional photogrhaper.i watched yours video. and what you actuly needs i can understand. i need a good track for my carer wher i can build up my back bone. and here is the place wher i can do something for your profesional carer. if you want than i will join you as a assistan ....thank you sir...please reply me.
I could handle the job but I'm moving to the United States. =/
Would you never consider taking an apprentice? Sometimes traffic is bad, you can’t always avoid that, especially in Leicester! One of the reasons I want to go into photography is getting away from people “instructing” me to do things. So few jobs allow you time to think & be yourself. You have put me off the idea of being an assistant! It sounds like a horrible job & this idea that you have to “blag” is basically encouraging people to lie, surely? Do you really want people to lie about their level of experience?
What's the average though?
Around £200 a day
Well, I posses ad least one qualification: Love of cats ;-)))! Too bad you are half world away.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA IT MUST BE A JOKE