How to get a job as a photographer's assistant

I get a fair few e-mails from people asking about how to get into the photography business.

I got this one recently and thought that since I went to the trouble to write a proper answer, I may as well share it with the world:

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I have recently become crazy about photography, I have just bought a Canon EOS 30D, which is producing (in my opinion) awesome photos. I'm then finishing them off in Photoshop CS2 which adds to the touch as you already know.

I'm currently working as a chef & am wanting to change to a career in photography. My interests are food photography & aviation photography, I don't mind a bit of nature as well.

I wonder if you can suggest any food photographers that exist in Melbourne.

Also how to get work as a photographer in this specific industry. I know I will need to do a course on the principles, but I have found in life that you learn better & faster when you are thrown in the deep end, I guess you either sink or swim (is it easy to get work experience in this industry, in other words work for free) I would prefer to do work experience rather that learn out of a classroom

Any help would be great

Thankyou Kindly,

Stewart

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Hi Stewart,

Good choice with the 30D, I think you'll find you'll be very happy with that. It's quite capable of taking professional-quality pictures - you won't need to upgrade for a while.

Sorry, I don't know much about the food photography scene. Best way to find food photographers to approach is to look through the food sections of the lifestyle mags, newspaper colour supplements, etc, and note their names from the photo credit. Then get to work on Google! You'll find that most of them are in Sydney but if you're persistent you'll find some here in Melbourne, too.

In terms of approaching photographers you want to work with (or publications, for that matter), the key is polite persistence. I've got to tell you, we get inundated with requests for work experience or assisting jobs. I reply to all of them (eventually) and my usual answer is 'nothing at the moment, but feel free to stay in touch'. 99% of them I never hear from again, which could mean one of two things: (1) Soon after contacting me they landed a high-paying, full-time gig as a photographer or assistant, or (2) they were too lazy to stay in touch.

All it takes is to put the follow-up in your diary (a reasonable time might be three months later). The 1% that did bother to do this, are the people I work with when the opportunity arises. There are a few reasons for this. They are probably obvious, but for what it's worth: (1) I'm busy, I'm forgetful! - People who contact me regularly are more likely to be at the top of my mind. (2) It shows they are in the business for the long term. (3) It shows they are organised and professional enough to keep a diary and also to keep their word.

If you follow this simple process (and are courteous and professional in your attitude), I GUARANTEE you'll get a gig eventually.

Good luck, and of course - feel free to stay in touch and keep me posted on how it goes!

Cheers,
Steven

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By the way, I agree with Stewart about learning from experience. While it's definitely worth reading everything you can about photographic technique, style and history, ultimately you've got to get out there and find out for yourself. Of course if you want to go to uni for the social scene, that's fine too :-)

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