Assistant/Second tog

[Moonhawk]

Does anyone have any experience on how to go about getting into this. I want to gain some experience in wedding/event photography - but feel that cold calling professional photographers may be a bit cheeky.

[Simpo Two]

I got my first wedding experience by doing one!

[Klankie]

It is a difficult one, I imagine most PP's would turn you down for fear of you taking business away from them at a later date, but if you don't ask you won't get, I mean your local togs may believe that they are the bees knees and are not afraid of up and coming competition.

There is also several courses. On offer which I Imagine would also give you some practical experience.

Let us know how you get on.

[Moonhawk]

Thanks for the replies.

Simpo Two - Yes I had a similar thought and have been advertising my services for free in order to try and get experience. I have had a few enquiries - and one semi-firm booking, but its not till January. I am also doing a model shoot for a friends hair dressing business in september.

Kalnkie - already ahead of you on the courses front. I went on a two day RPS wedding photography course last month which was really good, got some good shots, picked up some good tips and learnt a great deal about workflow etc - i'm also booked on a portrait photography course next month.

I have advertised on a few of the photography jobs forums to see if anyone is interested. I have had some luck using this method and I am meeting up with a pro photographer in a few days to discuss a collaboration, but he doesnt do many weddings - mainly sporting events. It's all experience though

[Simpo Two]

I think photography is largely a solitary occupation. For my part there's no way I could use an assistant at a wedding even if they were free - I carry my own kit and travel fast and light, and an extra body could only trudge along behind with little or nothing to do. I know some wedding togs have an assistant but they structure their work differently and charge more.

I was able to survive a first wedding because (1) I'd spent many years using film SLRs as a hobby, (2) digital allowed me to check as I went along, and (3) Photoshop allowed me to rescue the rest. Even then the results were far short of what I currently achieve (but the price reflected that). I don't know what level of skill/knowledge you have but you need to be very conversant with your kit before having a go. There's also the people aspect, and the pressure, and the responsibility, and the business side. It's not to be taken lightly. But if you have any friends who are getting married, that could be a good time to practice and discover the pitfalls.

As you can imagine it's quite common for some guests to have DSLRs and be keen on photography - I affectionately call them 'Uncle Phils'. I enjoy talking cameras with them and let them follow me around if they want, since I don't sell prints (so I'm not losing money if they copy my shots). Sometimes the 'Uncle Phils' can feel intimidated by the 'pro', which is quite wrong IMHO. In my book we're all equal.

Moonhawk said:

I am also doing a model shoot for a friends hair dressing business in september.

That sounds like a safer place to get some shots under your belt. There'll be far less pressure, but you'll have to bone up on lighting. PM me if you think I can help further.

[Moonhawk]

Wow dont things change quickly.

I posted a couple of free ads and on a couple of internet forums offering to do free wedding photography and now have 5 weddings and a photo shoot booked. I'm also assisting another photographer on a 4 day sporting event.

With a few courses I also have booked I should get a pretty good grounding - but talk about trial by fire

SIMPO - thanks for the offer. I did go on an RPS wedding photography course a month or so back and we did some flash work there. I am also booked on a nude photography course and a portrait photography course too - so hopefully I should be fairly competent by the time the first wedding comes up. I have two flash units with stands, brolleys and remote triggers.

Edited by Moonhawk on Friday 12th June 09:23

[andy-xr]

Very brave

I dont think it's something I'd be happy doing, fear of ruining someone's big day for something that to me is just a hobby. Each to tehir own though, I dont know what your skills are

[Moonhawk]

andy-xr said:

Very brave

I dont think it's something I'd be happy doing, fear of ruining someone's big day for something that to me is just a hobby. Each to tehir own though, I dont know what your skills are

I have made it absolutely clear to all involved that I should not be considered an alternative to a paid professional owing to my lack of experience. I have shown them examples of my work and they seem happy to proceed on that basis.

None of the people were intending to have photographers (or where simply getting a mate with a camera to do it - which they still can as backup if they want).

This isnt simply a hobby for me - I am trying to make a real push and set up a business. The problem is its kinda chicken and egg. Few wedding photographers seem prepapred to take on a rookie tog, and you can only gain experience by doing a wedding. Doing it this way may be a bit risky and is going in at the deep end a bit - but it seems like it is the only viable option.

Edited by Moonhawk on Friday 12th June 09:32

[andy-xr]

Fair play

I think it'd be the shouting at 50 people to "look at the fking camera" that would probably do me

[Simpo Two]

You're a brave man Moonhawk and I applaud your tenacity. I think you've tackled it in absolutely the right way, managed expectations and of course, if you're doing it for free, they can hardly complain if you forget to put a card in It also takes some of the stress off, so hopefully you can relax a bit and enjoy what you're doing.

It'll be interesting to see what problems you find on Wedding One, because the first few will be a steep learning curve, especially with multi-venue weddings, churches and 100+ guests! Homework for tonight - dynamic range...

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 12th June 09:50

[Moonhawk]

Thanks for the words of encouragement - i'll probably be bricking it for the first few, but it'll definately be good experience.

I plan to meet up with each couple before the wedding day (preferebly at the venue) - this should allow me to get a good idea of what exactly they are looking for, and will also give me a chance to properly scope out the venue before hand and make some notes.

I'm drafting an agreement/contract at the moment. Any tips would be appreciated.

[kybo]

This might help. Not format freindly as it's posted straight into a forum but you can paste it into word and alter as you see fit.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

There are a few links further down the page to another contract.

HTH

Scott

PS - I too applaud what you're doing. I'd love to be doing it with Motorsport events and would gladly do it for free [or as an assistant] to get some experience/grounding.

GOOD LUCK with it all.

[Moonhawk]

kybo said:

PS - I too applaud what you're doing. I'd love to be doing it with Motorsport events and would gladly do it for free [or as an assistant] to get some experience/grounding.

GOOD LUCK with it all.

Take a look at this forum. I posted a request for "assistant experience" on here a few weeks back and got a bite. I am assisting another photographer with a sporting event over the next two weekends.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/forumdispl...

[oilslick]

You might find this link useful for some ideas when shooting your first wedding

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/78466-weddin...

[Moonhawk]

oilslick said:

You might find this link useful for some ideas when shooting your first wedding

http://photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/78466-weddin...

Thanks - i'll take a look.

Just finished my first job assisting at a sporting event (under 14's football tornament). It was very interesting, pretty hard work, but fun. Got some great action shots (especially since the final went to penalties ) and some good feedback from the pro's I was working with.