What’s Your Preference?

Mamarazzi_2008 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 08:05 PM

Hi guys! A little about myself before I ask questions:

I have always loved photography and am frequently found with a camera glued to my hands and/or face. I do fairly well and was able to land myself a job as a Contract Photographer for the Newborns in the Hospital. While I do love my job and I do rather well, its not exactly doing it for me...there is little room for true growth as a photographer in this job as there is just so much you can do in a hospital room with 15 minutes or so.
I was thinking of taking a side job as a Photographer's Assistant, but do not know how to go about doing so, or if that is even a possibility. Do photographers hire assistants? And would they be able to help me grow into my own?
How do you approach an admired photographer and offer your assistance? How much should you expect to make as an assistant?
Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on the topic!

Alex168 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 08:11 PM

I m intrested here i will keep checkign this out, also wanted to try to get a job as an assistant, so if i find anything i will share it!

Japaslavian · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 11:36 PM

Of course photographers hire assistants.

I was an assistant to a commercial photographer for a little while. It was an amazing learning experience even though I decided to not to pursue anything in the field afterwards.
Finding a position is definitely going to be interesting though. Luckily for me, my boss was looking for a younger person looking to learn more then assist, as he has been in the field for years and years and just wanted to share his knowledge with someone. The only reason I even landed the position was because his wife know my mom and they were talking about how I wanted to become a photographer and things happened from there.
So I guess in my case, networking is a good way to start. Check on craigslist for jobs that might open up. Otherwise, I'm not really sure. Asking a professional can't hurt I guess.

Aperture Nine · #4 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Japaslavian

Finding a position is definitely going to be interesting though. Luckily for me, my boss was looking for a younger person looking to learn more then assist, as he has been in the field for years and years and just wanted to share his knowledge with someone.

Lucky indeed! I wish I was THAT lucky!

What an opportunity!

thenimirra · #5 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 12:10 AM

actually I would be interested in how you got that job taking pics at the hospital.

Major_Small · #6 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 05:53 AM

I've seen plenty of photographer's assistant jobs come and go here in NY. I've even used people as free assistants myself in the past.

You can cold call a professional to ask, but I would second the craigslist thing - that's where I see most of the postings for that type of position.

@thenimirra - one way would be to call your local hospital and ask them if they take newborn portraits, and if so, which company they contract out to. Then you'd want to contact that company and apply. Our365 is the company that handles most of the hospitals in my area.

Zane · #7 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 03:04 PM

I agree on Craigslist. The problem I have found - it might just be a Phoenix, AZ thing - is that the photographers here look at it more as an internship opportunity. It is a big commitment timewise for something that won't help me pay the bills. The learning opportunity could be great though.

Mamarazzi_2008 · #8 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenimirra

actually I would be interested in how you got that job taking pics at the hospital.

By going up to the hospital Labor and Delivery Unit and asking who takes their pictures. The nurses can either point you to a company who does so that is contracted through the hospital, or the Nurses themselves do it. But more often than not, if the nurses are doing it, then they are happy to have you there doing it for them, and you can pose them and get more sales that way.
I also do the fetal demise and bereavment photography which many of the nurses do NOT want to do and cannot handle doing it.
I like that I can provide a greiving family with pictures of them with their child rather than just the standard bassinet photo.

Lori Kean · #9 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 10:45 PM

Wow! That does sound like a neat thing actually. Because, as sad as that moment is, it's an honor to be a part of it.

Mamarazzi_2008 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-18-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lori Kean

Wow! That does sound like a neat thing actually. Because, as sad as that moment is, it's an honor to be a part of it.

I would love to get myself proficient enough in Photoshop to have the ability to retouch those photos for the families as often the babys do have a bit of discoloration. I think that ability would really have a place in all of that kind of photography, KWIM?