Features of working as a photographer's assistant

Today the work of a photographer is considered one of the most prestigious. If you also want to try yourself in this role, but do not have enough experience and skills, then you can start your professional career as an assistant (or assistant) of a photographer... You should be aware of the peculiarities of such a job, as well as how you can get the desired position.

A photographer's assistant is a person who carries out the instructions of the photographer, as well as carries out various preparatory activities. In general, all people holding this position can be divided into several categories.

1. First of all, it is necessary to highlight such assistants who are independent professionals in their own right, however, they were invited as assistants for a specific project or individual shooting. Due to the fact that such a specialist has a sufficient amount of experience and professional skills, he can express his professional opinion. In addition, he does not need to be taught the basics of professional activity.
2. The second category of assistants is those people who aspire to become independent photographers and are temporarily in the position of assistant... Their main goal is to gain experience, learn professional skills and abilities, as well as create the necessary theoretical knowledge base and get useful contacts.
3. Among other categories, such assistants who enjoy supporting work. They do not strive to become independent professionals.Often, such assistants are valued more than others, as they are determined to work with one photographer for a long time. Accordingly, they understand his style and are well acquainted with his requirements.

In order for a person to effectively perform his functions as an assistant, he, first of all, must have a certain set of personal characteristics. Among them are usually distinguished:

• punctuality;
• a responsibility;
• attentiveness;
• diligence;
• creativity;
• sociability.

Almost any person with the appropriate aspiration can become a photographer's assistant. If we talk about the requirements, they depend on each particular photographer, his desires and preferences. First of all, only a person who has reached the age of 18 (experts consider younger applicants much less often). It is also important that the applicant possessed at least a minimum level of education, had a school certificate.

The thing is that the work of a specialist is connected with communication with people, which is accompanied by various stresses. Photographer assistant must be able to smooth out the conflict and not react to provocations.

The responsibilities of a photographer's assistant can be very different. It all depends on what auxiliary functions a particular specialist needs to perform. Consider several possible tasks that may be included in the job description of a photographer's assistant:

• assistance in the installation and operation of additional equipment such as reflectors, flashes;
• assistance in the transportation of equipment (due to the fact that professional photographers have a large amount of equipment, the assistant may need a personal transport);
• monitoring of equipment operation (you need to ensure that all cameras are turned on if necessary, that all settings are in order, so that the battery is charged);
• work with an exposure meter;
• installation and adjustment of light;
• work with various lenses;
• assistance in the implementation of test shots (for example, the assistant often stands at the intended place of the model so that the photographer can take a test shot);
• communication with customers and clients;
• work with documents (for example, keeping records, drawing up reports, assistance in maintaining accounting records);
• assistance in the filming process (for example, providing additional accessories, adjusting the model's posture);
• installation of scenery.

So, for example, you may be instructed to find an appropriate site, negotiate with the management of a particular location, negotiate with customers, keep a photographer's calendar... Most of the work can be helping with the photo processing.

Thus, the photographer's assistant is an important figure on the set. In the process of implementing large-scale projects, a professional photographer cannot do without an assistant. Besides, if desired, the assistant can develop and improve in order to eventually become an independent specialist.

Before officially applying for a job as an assistant photographer, it is very it is important to discuss in advance and in detail all the tasks that will be part of your functional responsibilities. In addition, talk about the fact that if additional tasks arise, your pay will increase. Thus, you can protect yourself from all sorts of negative situations and conflicts with the employer.

If you want to become a photographer's assistant, but do not have relevant work experience, then you should convince the potential employer that you have a great desire to master the profession, and that you are an active and proactive person. First of all, you need create your personal portfolio. This means that you need to provide a potential employer with examples of your copyright photographs. It is desirable that the photos were taken with a camera, but if it is not available, high-quality photos taken with a phone will do.

Print your best shots or take a photo book. At the same time, at your request, you can create a universal portfolio with photographs of various types (for example, wedding photos, portrait photos, nature), grouped into separate categories. Alternatively, you can take a highly specialized set of photographs (for example, only photographs of food).

In addition to the portfolio, you should compile and professional resume. This document should inform the photographer not only of your professional skills and abilities, but also of your personal characteristics. In addition, the resume must contain personal information (age, marital status). You can also write a cover letter if you wish.

If you have finally decided to connect your life with the position of a photographer's assistant, then you should find a few people with whom you would like to work. You should be close to the author's style of the photographer, and also like the area in which he works. In this case, it is not necessary to immediately apply for the position of his assistant - for a start, you can simply make a business acquaintance with him.

This approach will set you apart from the rest of the applicants.