The Salary of a Freelance Photographer's Assistant
The photography field contains various occupations, including scientific photographers, aerial photographers, fashion photographers and food photographers. Professional photographers often have assistants who perform tasks for them and assist them in completing projects. Many photographers' assistants work for a photography studio or company, but some assistants work under freelance photographers. Freelance photographers and photographer's assistants work on a contract basis and are generally self-employed.
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Training
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According to the Photographer's Assistant Salary website, no set training requirements exist for a photographer's assistant. However, having education, knowledge and experience in the field will help an assistant obtain a position. Assistants can take college courses to gain such knowledge. The My Majors website states that the majors that will help a prospective assistant get ahead in this career are general art studies, commercial photography, photography, photojournalism and general visual and performing arts.
Duties
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A photographer's assistant performs a variety of duties, including running errands and scheduling appointments. They can also include more hands-on tasks, such as setting up lights and equipment, editing, adjusting subjects, archiving digital images and loading film, according to the Photographer's Assistant Salary website.
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Skills and Knowledge
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Photographer's assistants generally possess customer and personal service skills. These skills are required because an assistant must be able to evaluate the needs of her photographer and of customers and have the ability to simultaneously provide quality service to both parties. The assistant must have sales and marketing skills to be able to assist her photographer in her goals of maintaining existing clients and gaining additional clients, particularly in a freelance environment. Computer knowledge is also essential to the assistant as photography is highly computerized and technological. The assistant must be able to edit her photographer's images using computer programs. She must also be able to maintain communication with clients via email. Clerical skills are also a must. She must have the ability to manage her photographer's files and records.
Salary
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As of the time of publication, a photographer's assistant averages around $26,000 per year. Some of the higher earners bring in $60,000 and the median salary is around $33,000. Freelance photographers also pay within that range as freelancers tend to pay the current market rate. Salaries for freelance photographer's assistants vary widely by location, experience, significance in the field and by their client list, according to the Photographer's Assistant Salary website.
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References
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
