Popular Photography on Campus April 2016

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ISTOCK.COM/MR_MORTON; ISTOCK.COM/BARRAND 8Bring your own “kit.” Pack simple tools and materials that will reduce your need to ask for things—a multipurpose pocket tool, clamps, gaffer’s tape, a roll of black foil to control light, a pad and pen for keeping notes, Power Bars so you won’t have to work on an empty stomach. “I used to bring memory cards, which more than once solved what could have been a huge problem,” says Gale. 9Anticipate the photographer’s needs. Don’t make the photographer ask for everything he or she wants you to do—go ahead and start to do it. Be judicious, though. “Some of my assistants know exactly what needs to be done before I even tell them because they’ve worked with me so long,” says Styer. “But if it’s your first time assisting a particular photographer, I’d pay close attention and just be ready when you’re asked to do something.” 10 Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. Your boss knows you’re there not just to earn some money, but also to BE A JOINER Join professional photographers’ groups such as PPA, APA, and ASMP, and volunteer to work at their conventions. These groups often offer discounted student memberships and maintain searchable assistant databases that can help you find work. learn. Just don’t overdo it—after all, you took Photo I in school. “Be confident, but be teachable,” advises veteran Minneapolis-based assistant Tim Olsen, who maintains APhotoAssistant.com, a website dedicated to assisting. 11 Be ready. Sometimes photographers need assistants at very short notice— especially if a member of their go-to crew can’t take on the assignment. Lastminute substitutions can lead to regular work. 12“If you pay attention, Have a positive attitude. listen, and can focus on a task, that’s what I care most about,” says Gale. “Knowing more is always good, but if I’m going to spend from six hours to several days with someone, personality is important.” 13 Don’t use your smartphone on set. “It’s very disrespectful, especially when time is money and so much is on the line,” says Jack Reznicki. “If you have to, do it on your lunch break or go to the bathroom.” Reznicki tells of a case in which a photographer was sued by his client because his assistant uploaded a behind-the-scenes image of the shoot to social media. 14assisted a Follow up. If you’ve photographer and all went well, send a thank-you note saying you’d like to work for him or her again and expressing the hope that he or she will refer you to other photographers. 15 Keep networking. Even if you end up working full-time for one photographer, it’s important to establish new connections. Do this on shoots, of course, but attend photo community events too. And be sure to make friends with your local photo equipment rental house. 16 Exploit social media. “It’s actually one of the ways I’ve met a lot of wellknown photographers,” says Detroit-based Matthew LaVere, who is now making the transition to full-time professional. “Down the line, they’ve called me up to see if I was available to assist. Instagram and Twitter have really helped me network.” Facebook offers similar opportunities, among them The Crew Group, an informal gathering of assistants. (Search for groups/ TheCrewGroup.) 17 “It is absolutely Start mixing in your own jobs. possible to assist and shoot at the same time,” says Gale. “I know some people believe you should make a clean break as soon as you think you’re ready, but I’m not sure that’s realistic. Gradually shooting more and assisting less is a perfectly fine way to do it. And if you start turning down shooting jobs because you’re already booked to assist, you know it’s time to quit assisting!” 22 POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY ON CAMPUS APRIL 2016
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