how to get a LF photography assistant job?

[Brian C. Miller]

I will get out the college soon and plan on relocating either LA or NY for assistant job.

Why not start shooting now? A good number of photographers got their start by literally photographing a bunch of people on the street or in their neighborhood. Then they took the photos and drummed up business with those. Just set up on the street and ask people if they'd let you photograph them for a college project, and send them an 8x10 print in return. Go through 200 sheets of film, like Freestyle's Arista EDU.

Yes, you will make mistakes. But no problem, nobody has any towering expectations of a college photography project. But this is a good way to get experience and build up a portfolio.

[brian mcweeney]

If you are looking to assist in the NYC or LA commercial photo market I would first suggest you seek out photographer's work you like. The Workbook, Google, etc. are your friends. The ASMP workshops are a great suggestion. I would check out the rental houses and labs for connections and contacts.

Most professional photographers aren't going to have much time to be looking for assistants, and especially inexperienced ones. You may only get to talk to the studio managers or the first assistants. You are going to have to make the initial calls and be ready for anything.

I have had 4 or 5 really memorable assistants through the years. They all usually started with a cold call from them.

Good luck.
Contact me if you need any further information.

[jnantz]

maybe a museum ?

[yuexiachou29]

ya, have handed in my application in interning at MOMA.
Wish me luck!

[Uri A]

I know this thread is a couple months old, but I regularly hire assistants for LF when I am shooting my personal work. Mostly just as bag schleppers, but if they want to learn I always spend time showing them the way things work. Surely other shooters do this as well?

[Kirk Gittings]

Yes I do it BUT I wouldn't call it a job job.

[Uri A]

Yes, well.. full time LF assistant is a job description that went out with full time scrimshaw artist assistant

I feel lucky to have had the chance at the time.

[C_Remington]

Why do you want to be an assistant? What do you think you'll get out of it??

[bdkphoto]

Why do you want to be an assistant? What do you think you'll get out of it??

It's probably the best way to learn every aspect of the business, get paid while doing it, and make lifelong contacts and friends. It's the best education, and you can make a living at it.

[C_Remington]

It's probably the best way to learn every aspect of the business, get paid while doing it, and make lifelong contacts and friends. It's the best education, and you can make a living at it.

But, that business (LF) doesn't exist anymore right??