Looking to set up almost like an internship with a photographer

[techguy82]

I am wondering how to go about this. I am basically looking to work for a photographer in my area (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, but will travel a small distance as well) in exchange for camera equipment/lessons on photography. I am wanting desperately to get into photography and have not had the extra funds for a camera yet. I am hoping this may be a way I can get my feet wet and help someone else at the same time.

[faeriegodess612]

Do a Google search of all of the photographers in your area. Visit their websites and see if you like their work,..to me theres no use in learning from someone that you think you could do better than. There are a lot of people out there that market themselves as "pros" and they really arent. That and sometimes you can get an idea of the person from their about page. Then email the ones you like. Tell them that your looking to learn from them, and maybe be an assistant. That your not looking to be paid, just to help and learn. Expect to get a lot of no one contacting you back. Photography is a very competitive industry. Some arent looking to train someone who could potentially become competition. But there will probably be at least one person. One thing I've learned is that photographers usually arent in studio to answer the phone, if they have a studio. So they easiest way to contact them is thru email,..because that gets checked on a regular basis.

Good luck,..Hope this helps.

An almost like internship?

Is that sorta like a pretend-made-up-make-believe-I-made-it-up-in-my-brain-sorta-like-OMG!-no-way!-like-yes-way!-Shut-up!-Totally-right-on like thing? Because those are easy to come by.

[JFeinbergPhotography]

It's either an internship or not. Interns do not get paid by any compensation. By them giving you money or equipment, you are an employee.

Go outside your town or quite far so the photographer doesnt feel threatened that you are trying to take over their area.

[techguy82]

Thank you all for all of the great advice. I wasn't sure how to word it, that's why it came out quite odd. I am basically trying to break into photography as a hobby and hopefully eventually an income stream. I have been trying to get a starter camera like the Nikon D3000 or D3100, but have had a nice long stream of bad luck as well as a brand new baby, so the funds just have not been there.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by techguy82

Thank you all for all of the great advice. I wasn't sure how to word it, that's why it came out quite odd. I am basically trying to break into photography as a hobby and hopefully eventually an income stream. I have been trying to get a starter camera like the Nikon D3000 or D3100, but have had a nice long stream of bad luck as well as a brand new baby, so the funds just have not been there.

Sorry for your bad luck I guess...

...If I were you, I'd probably look into picking up a cheap older generation kit set up... it will easily help you get a handle on technique and theory until you can afford something bigger and better... bodies that were considered good a couple of years ago can be picked up as a steal these days.

[Gobae]

Originally Posted by techguy82

I am wondering how to go about this. I am basically looking to work for a photographer in my area (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, but will travel a small distance as well) in exchange for camera equipment/lessons on photography. I am wanting desperately to get into photography and have not had the extra funds for a camera yet. I am hoping this may be a way I can get my feet wet and help someone else at the same time.

It sounds like your past experience is extremely limited. If you're so new that you're looking for lessons and equipment don't be surprised if no one takes you up on your offer to help.

A professional is going to need someone who has the basics down solid and with whom they can communicate photography concepts easily. Someone who is just starting out will be more of a hindrance than a help. Remember interns already have some education in their field and the "employer" adds real-world experience to that. The employer doesn't do all the teaching.

[Tzetsin]

something you could try is to join a local photography club. Some clubs actually have club cameras that you could use, and having all those other photographers around to help you grind through the basics will be much more valuable than some professional that doesnt have the time to teach you because he's actually "at work".

I've noticed that most photographers are more than happy to share basic photography with just about anyone. Dont ask them how they did this or that picture, or their super secret advanced technique, because thats going too far. But if you need to know about shutter speeds, iso, aperture or basic composition, they'll trip over themselves to explain it to you.

[kcoppock]

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

Dont ask them how they did this or that picture, or their super secret advanced technique, because thats going too far. But if you need to know about shutter speeds, iso, aperture or basic composition, they'll trip over themselves to explain it to you.

I wouldn't say don't ask -- they're free to not answer the question if they don't feel like it. I can't speak for everyone, but I know if someone wanted to know how I got some particular result, I'd enjoy explaining it.

[Jim Bryant]

nowadays photographers who hire interns want to hire someone with at least a knowledge of photography. They don't want to hold hands and babysit. Well......at least that's the way I feel.