AOP: Photographers: Getting into Assisting
Association of Photographers held an online event held by several different photograpers about how to get into assisting (especially with professional background). As this is something I want to continue in my practice I paid a small fee as I’m not a member to join and watch. With a panelist of photographers and assistants in the industry they talked about their advice when getting into the industry. They mentioned that good skills would be:
Keen to learn
Problem Solver
Learning as much as you can about the software i.e. Capture One
Any Video Experience
Learn about the photographers kit and take care of it as if it were your own
A big thing about becoming an assistant is about networking and connecting with different photographers. A good way they explained doing this was not only contacting the photographers listed on the AOP website but also to contact agents as often agents will help manage photographers and often assign assistants to photographers. There are also accounts ran on Instagram that advertise different ongoing jobs that are looking for people in the creative industry. Each photographer shared what they wished they knew before they started including:
Create an easy to navigate website- photographers don’t want to have to look through a ton of information on a google drive
Don’t wear a smartwatch on a shoot- the photographer may see you glancing at your watch and think you’re distracted
Put everything back exactly as you found it (take a picture beforehand if you struggle remembering)
Take as many paid opportunities as possible even if you think you may not be interested in that field- you may be pleasantly surprised if you keep an open mind and if not it helps you figure out what you’d like to persue in the future
The photographers from the association present at this talk: Ira Giorgetti, Sarah Hogan and Adam Shaw
The guest speakers: Aiden James, Georgia Quinn and Sam Royston
Useful Links: https://www.the-aop.org/ https://www.aopawards.com/aop-photography-awards/ https://www.the-aop.org/information/f22-women https://www.the-aop.org/join-us/assisting-photographer https://www.the-aop.org/find/assisting-photographers https://www.the-aop.org/shop/beyond-the-lens
