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hangman Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #1 · What is the best way to become an assistant? Okay, so I have been wanting to do wedding photography and figured that being an assistant is a good way to get my feet wet and hone my skills. I have tried calling about a dozen photographers in the Houston area to see if they need an assistant, but all responses have been negative. I am wondering if fellow FM'ers here started out as assistants and if so how did you guys do it? Did you just cold call in search of need or is there a directory or group you join to find out? Or is the competiiton so much out there right now that photographers are reluctant to take assistants knowing that eventually they'll be a competitor? Jul 25, 2008 at 08:39 PM

hassy501 Offline [ X ] p.1 #2 · What is the best way to become an assistant? Why do you want to do wedding photography ? Jul 25, 2008 at 09:05 PM

Conradp04 Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #3 · What is the best way to become an assistant? well i did the same thing as you did when i first started..i called most wedding photogs in the area and finally found a studio that would take me in...just don't give up... but yea..like hassy is asking...why weddings? Jul 25, 2008 at 09:20 PM

hassy501 Offline [ X ] p.1 #4 · What is the best way to become an assistant? hangman wrote: Okay, so I have been wanting to do wedding photography and figured that being an assistant is a good way to get my feet wet and hone my skills. I have tried calling about a dozen photographers in the Houston area to see if they need an assistant, but all responses have been negative. I am wondering if fellow FM'ers here started out as assistants and if so how did you guys do it? Did you just cold call in search of need or is there a directory or group you join to find out? Or is the competiiton so much out there right now that photographers are reluctant to take assistants knowing that eventually they'll be a competitor? And you are right on one aspect, the market is flooded with wedding photographers of all qualifications........everyone thinks it's an easy buck..........we get flooded with requests just like yours......they come on board, suck up whatever they can, then leave......so some of us are very wary when we bring on new talent. Edited on Jul 25, 2008 at 09:22 PM Jul 25, 2008 at 09:21 PM

weeums Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #5 · What is the best way to become an assistant? see the thread about how and why we got into wedding photography.... hmm.. if I can find it I'll edit this post to have it included.. - travis Jul 25, 2008 at 09:25 PM

liza Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #6 · What is the best way to become an assistant? You might reword your request when you contact local photographers so they're clear about what you are interested in doing. "Assistant" to me means someone who carries (and guards) equipment, does the lighting set up and tear down, holds reflectors as needed, helps me herd the wedding party for the formals, brings me CF cards/batteries/drinks, and does other tasks as assigned. But they don't shoot a frame. That task is relegated to the second shooter. And like Hassy said, the market is flooded with amateurs who want to second shoot because they want to "do weddings." I've had at least 10 inquiries since April and have turned all of them down. Try a face to face with someone outside your area, show them samples of your work, and be prepared to articulate why you want to "do weddings." Jul 25, 2008 at 10:16 PM

hangman Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #7 · What is the best way to become an assistant? Thanks everyone for your replies. Hassy501, It seems the main question is "Why I want to do wedding photography" so let me answer that first. Honestly, I want to do it because I think it would be fun and I enjoy knowing that I contribute to someone's lasting memories. I know it sounds cliche.. but it is what it is. Also, I don't have intentions of doing it full time professionally, just want to be able to "have done" wedding photography. I do not believe that wedding photography can come anywhere close to my current salary, no matter how successful I become. I enjoy photography as a hobby, and am interested in taking the hobby to the next step. I want to do it, simply because I believe I will enjoy it. Come to think of it, I want to do just so I have done it.. and like I said a chance to hone my skills.. Conradp04, thanks, I will continue to find someone who wants a second shooter. weeums, thank you.. I will search for that thread. liza, thank you for the clarification between assistant and second shooter. You are correct, I want to be a second shooter, not an assistant. Also, I forgot to mention that I don't expect any compensation as a second shooter, just a chance to work along a pro in a real wedding... Also, I was up front with the photographers that I have contacted in the length of time I am interested in , which is about 2 to 3 months only. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places. Edited on Jul 26, 2008 at 12:32 AM Jul 26, 2008 at 12:28 AM

hassy501 Offline [ X ] p.1 #8 · What is the best way to become an assistant? If you came to me with those intentions, I would not take the time to train, oversee and take responsibility for you while im working for my client on the biggest day of their life. It would be irresponsible of ME to have someone who only wants to do if for fun. How much can you expect to learn in 2 to 3 months ? Not much......... A photographer would have to TRUST you to get the shots that SELL. Second shooting is not merely showing up and shooting whatever your heart tells you to shoot. There's a method and plan to every wedding job. It's not like just walking around Disneyland taking snap shots. If your skills are that great at this point to warrant second shooting, then shooting for only 2 to 3 months is not going to teach you much. And any pro is NOT going to be teaching you on the job. You must already have the skills to second shoot. Your best bet would be to shoot some FREE weddings for family and friends, develop a portfolio THEN go approach working pros with your samples. I have had too many to count aspiring second shooters come to my studio with discs of images which THEY think are the "cats meow", when in reality they are nothing more than snapshots. It will take a very very very trusting working professional to let you tag along on paying jobs... Good luck !! I sincerely mean that. Just for info purposes, I started in the wedding business AFTER years of shooting model portfolios, news and sports for college and local papers. I photographed my brothers wedding for free, then was forced in to shooting weddings by my cousin who had a home based studio. He was turning away wedding clients so he asked and asked until i said yes...... I then ASSISTED him on some weddings, he wrote me out his shot list (film days) then sent me out on my first job with his wife to guide me. From there it grew,........and i found i had a knack for it......... It's a lot of work........... Edited on Jul 26, 2008 at 12:44 AM Jul 26, 2008 at 12:43 AM

hangman Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #9 · What is the best way to become an assistant? hassy501, I appreciate your honest and candid response. I also understand completely where you are coming from as a professional photographer. And I do understand that my approach and answer above, which is the same answer I gave to the photographers I approached, is the main reasons I am not getting any interests from them.. You are right in that I can shoot some free weddings for friends and family to develop a portfolio. In fact I have had many requests, but have turned them down for all the obvious reasons. I guess I am in delimma. I cannot change my story when they ask me why I am interested, as that is the truth and I do not want to mislead or mis represent my intentions to them, that would just be wrong. Oh, and I do understand it is a lot of hard work. Edited on Jul 26, 2008 at 12:59 AM Jul 26, 2008 at 12:58 AM

hassy501 Offline [ X ] p.1 #10 · What is the best way to become an assistant? Why not do the free weddings ? After all, free is free......they know what they are getting........ Jul 26, 2008 at 01:04 AM

hangman Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #11 · What is the best way to become an assistant? Well, I resently had a cousin who requested I shoot her wedding for free, since they are on a really tight budget and cannot afford a pro. I thought about it, but in the ended decided to hire a pro for them as a wedding gift. All the prior requests from friends came at a time when I was actually not interested in wedding photography. You are right though, free is free, and I will give it some serious consideration the next time I get asked. Edited on Jul 26, 2008 at 01:11 AM Jul 26, 2008 at 01:09 AM

David.G Offline Image Upload: Off p.1 #12 · What is the best way to become an assistant? hangman, hassy is right, free is free, and there are lots of brides looking on Craigs List for just that. Some may not care if you take great pictures, they just care that you can do it and they don't have to worry about what they might get from asking their guests to do it for them. Try a simple ad and see what kind of results you get with it. But, getting a gig as a second shooter is usually a better way to get some experience and to watch someone else and how they do it. Jul 26, 2008 at 06:31 AM

hassy501 Offline [ X ] p.1 #13 · What is the best way to become an assistant? hangman wrote: Well, I resently had a cousin who requested I shoot her wedding for free, since they are on a really tight budget and cannot afford a pro. I thought about it, but in the ended decided to hire a pro for them as a wedding gift. All the prior requests from friends came at a time when I was actually not interested in wedding photography. You are right though, free is free, and I will give it some serious consideration the next time I get asked. Wow, that was very nice of you to hire a pro for them.........!!!! Jul 26, 2008 at 01:56 PM

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