Job Description of a Photographer's Assistant

Experience as a photographer's assistant will help advance an emerging photographer's career.

Working as a photographer's assistant ensures that you learn the intricate nuances of the specific genre of photography you hope to pursue as a professional. Learning by doing is more valuable than any classroom setting, and working with the right professional can help advance your photography career in many ways. Having a broad background in photography and post-production image editing will also help the assistant become a valuable asset for the professional photographer.

Training

While no formal training is required to become a photographer's assistant, a basic familiarity of photography is necessary to become the best possible assistant for the professional photographer. Each photographer hiring an assistant will require a different degree of experience; some prefer to teach the assistant using their knowledge and perspectives, while others will want the assistant to be able to do everything--from photographing subjects to complicated post-processing of digital images. Having several classes from a community college or university in photography will help in seeking a photographer's assistant job, but is not required.

Experience

Again, this will vary based on the photographer hiring the assistant, but most photography assistants should have worked independently with subjects in a variety of photographic situations. While this experience does not need to be professional, they should at least have some experience shooting, particularly in the niche or genre of the professional photographer that is of interest. Having experience in any industry that requires hard work, discipline, self-motivation and problem-solving skills is a plus.

Job Duties

Job duties will vary dramatically depending on the photographer. Many assistants are responsible for cleaning equipment, setting up and testing lights for studio shoots, coordinating models and stylists for commercial shoots, loading film cameras for art, wedding and portrait photographers, editing and archiving digital images and shooting as a backup photographer on certain assignments. The basic errands are also a given--fetching coffee, food and mail should also be anticipated.

Career Advancement

Working as a photographer's assistant is a wonderful way to advance in the specialty you hope to work within as a professional photographer one day. Learning from a professional who has achieved a certain level of success in her specialty is the best way to learn the craft. Certain high-profile photographers are also a great way to gain future employment in the field, as personal recommendations and networking through the professional photographer will open multiple doors down the road. Be sure to always act with the highest level of professionalism and be up front about your career intentions with the boss.

Types of Assistants

Assistants will vary depending on the specialty of photography and the experience of the professional photographer. A high-end commercial photographer will hire separate assistants for lighting, post-production and second shooting. On the contrary, a relatively new wedding photographer may hire an assistant to help him during the formal portrait sessions after the ceremony and to help manage the many family members involved in the shoot. Being proficient in all possible areas associated with the specialty will make the assistant a valuable asset for a photographer and help ensure future work as most assistants are hired through word of mouth and on recommendation.

References

• Photopreneur Online Magazine: Make More Money as a Photography Assistant