Finding Work as an Assistant
OK – so you’ve decided you want to be a photographer. And you’ve also rightly decided that the best way to do this is to get work as an assistant first. How do you do it? Here are a few ideas... Bear in mind though that the best ideas will be your own!
1) Be persistent. Finding assisting work isn’t going to … Continue Reading ››
Effective marketing with Sponsored Listings
Sponsored listings can be a great way to promote your photography. But far too many people don't set up their campaigns effectively enough. A guide to pay-per-click advertising, particularly Google AdWords, including keyword optimisation, effective use of adverts and landing pages, as well as the new ranking methods being used by search engines.
If you're lucky enough to have a web … Continue Reading ››
An Introduction to copyright and licensing
What is copyright?
As the photographer, you own copyright in images that you take. In the UK, you do not need to register copyright in a photo – it is automatically yours. What does this mean? At its most basic level, if someone wants to use a photo in any form, they need to seek permission from the copyright owner. This … Continue Reading ›› Photographing in Public Places
It seems to be getting tougher and tougher to photograph in public places these days without attracting adverse attention, especially when there's an increasingly heightened public awareness of issues such as terrorism and paedophilia (in no small part stirred up by certain sections of the media themselves). Who knows if Cartier Bresson, Robert Frank, or any of the other great … Continue Reading ›› The Importance of Personal Photography Projects
When you start out in photography you won't have much else in your portfolio except personal work. But rather than just wandering around with your camera hoping you'll see something worth photographing every now and then (which isn't to be dismissed, but you're just as likely not to see anything worth photographing), it's worth putting some thought and effort into … Continue Reading ››
A day’s assisting in South Africa…
This is an article I wrote a long time ago now, back in 2002 when I worked as a freelance assistant. At the time I was working with a number of advertising, corporate, and fashion photographers in the UK. One of my photographer clients had a particularly nice contract that involved going to South Africa fairly regularly. I went out there … Continue Reading ›› What’s in a name?
The following are all different ways that I’ve come across of describing the job of the person who assists photographers, and there are probably more. Is there any difference between them? And should it be important how you describe yourself?
Photographic Assistant
Assistant Photographer
Assisting Photographer
Photographer’s Assistant
Photo Assistant
Photography Assistant
Photographic Assistant
This was the term I learnt first and believed … Continue Reading ››
What is a photo assistant?
All-round super-hero
A good assistant is someone who isn’t afraid to ask questions. Someone who has an almost scientific attention to detail. Someone who has initiative, who can help the photographer out of a tricky spot. Someone with diplomacy. Someone who’s enthusiastic. Someone who leaves their own photographic aspirations at the studio door. Someone with useful contacts. Someone with a good … Continue Reading ›› Why work as an assistant?
Is assisting really necessary?
The short answer to this is no, but by spending a couple of years assisting you can learn a wealth of photography skills and other skills relevant to running a photography business that it could take you years to pick up on your own.
But I just want to get out there and set up my own photography … Continue Reading ››
Putting together a portfolio
If you’re serious about getting photography work, you’ll need a portfolio. There may be less need for them now that more clients are commissioning photographers based on websites, but there are still more than enough people wanting to see folios to make it a necessity. You can’t beat the look of a great print - an image is always going … Continue Reading ››