 BetterPhoto Member |
Wedding Photography I have been interested in photography for a long time but was not sure which direction I wanted to pursure. I would like the opportunity to become a wedding photography assistant or have the chance to observe and learn. Does anyone have any advice on how I can become an apprentice? I would be grateful for any advice! Thank you.
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Kerry L. Walker |
Ask every wedding photographer you know or can find. Offer to work for free at first, just to get some experience. Then, shoot a few weddings for friends for just the cost of supplies.
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Mark Feldstein |
Greetings Megan: Essentially, I think the way to go about getting a gig as an assistant is the same as looking for any other job. Although I do commercial work for advertising and corporate image shooting and I have one full-time assistant, sometimes we need an extra pair of hands or two. Initially, if I'm short on resumes, I'll check the registry of assistants with ASMP. http://www.asmp.org. You may qualify to sign up on the call list there which may not get you weddings but if you're called, it'll get you experience plus paid for your efforts. Also, joining a local chapter of a professional association like WPPA, PPA, ASMP, etc. will help you meet potential pros you can work for on one basis or another. It'll also contribute to your education on practices and pricing. When I interview someone who's interested in an assistant position, I expect them to show up with some kind of self-promotional enthusiasm beyond "Hey, dude, I wanna be an assistant". I like to see some kind of portfolio of their work but nothing fancy; some type of resume with a work and education summary even if it's only being a high school student bagging groceries at a local market; a certain level of enthusiasm is appreciated; a neat appearance and some kind of idea about how much they want for salary. I also appreciate people who interview me at the same time, asking questions like "Why should I want to be your assistant?" or "What could I expect to learn working here?". I don't ever expect anyone to work for free. Never. Nor do I expect them to audition for free. I get paid, my crew gets paid. It's that simple. Anyone who accepts an offer to trade experience for free labor is what I call a "schnorer". I'd walk away from them. You deserve to be paid for your efforts. Personally, I tend to appreciate those who express a willingness to do scut work initially, cleaning up, packing and unpacking gear, cleaning equipment, sweeping studio floors, straightening up etc., but at the same time, letting them observe studio shoots. They also get familiar with equipment, enough to assist in studio and on location shoots. It's called "paying dues". Wedding photography should be no different. I also think that in the wedding photography business, a little experience can be a dangerous thing. Of course, enthusiasm and self-confidence are important, but there's a lot more involved in wedding work. I'm sure others will disagree, but when you tackle a wedding especially for a friend or family member (assuming you want to keep them as friends or not be disowned) whether you're compensated or not, you need to be prepared in terms of experience and equipment to handle the multitude of technical and social (and political) situations. This is not the same as shooting a portrait or product when bad results can usually be reshot or reassigned. You only get one opportunity to produce at least usuable, marketable images at a wedding or special event. Offering to shoot just for the cost of supplies is a euphanism for "Gee, if it doesn't turn out, you just owe me for material costs". That's a pretty capricious way to enter a profession. In my view, you're either good enough to be paid a reasonable customary fee for the area you live in, given the services you're offering, or you're not and should continue assisting. While low-balling fees is one common way people try to get into this kind of photography, it's not only unprofessional, but your reputation will precede you with local pros. If you ever need help from them, and at some point you will, under those circumstances what do you think they'll do? I won't apologize for the length of this response. I think your question is an important one and deserves a detailed response. Meanwhile, best wishes in your quest, Megan. Feel free to drop me an e-mail and let me (us) know how you fared. Mark "feldstein@attglobal.net"
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