What are effective ways to find photography assistants or second shooters?

It's only competition if you compete. I have made a point of reaching out to other photographers in my local area who I can refer work to that I may not be able to do or want to do. This leads to strong relationships with other creatives, and also supports your own brand in that you have still solved the customer's problem by recommending someone who can help.

I'm a graphic artist and visualizer working in an ad agency, holding a diploma in applied art (painting) from an art college. My true passion lies in photography, particularly capturing the essence of rural and semi-urban life in India. India's rural areas hold a unique charm that sets it apart from other countries, and my goal is to showcase this uniqueness on a global stage. D

By integrating these approaches, you enhance the likelihood of discovering photography assistants or second shooters who possess both the necessary skills and a shared alignment with your creative vision and business objectives. This includes leveraging networking opportunities, exploring freelance websites, collaborating with photography communities, utilizing social media platforms, and conducting thorough portfolio reviews.

In the past I’ve reached out to production agencies to introduce myself and offer myself to be an assistant for their roster. It lead be being a 2nd assistant for a major commercial production! From there other assistants asked me to work on sets because of my work ethic and behavior on sets. I was able to work with 4 assistants across different jobs simultaneously! Be attentive, flexible and shoot your shot!

I've met other photographers on other jobs, usually at events such as Club events, Weddings, Business meet-ups, and Fashion Shoots. These events usually attract a lot of other photographers, so if you're starting out as a photographer and want to meet other photographers just start shooting even if you are doing it for free. Another place I have met other photographers is at photographer meet-ups through paid training. When you first start learning how to shoot, people offer paid workshops when they teach you how to shoot certain styles, for me, this was mostly how to with models in natural and studio lighting. Once you know how to work with models in these conditions you can pretty much do any shoot

All photographers have a 'style'. It's always best to seek out someone who has a different one. This could be as a result of the camera they use - from 4k to the iPhone.

Leverage industry connections, attend photography events, and explore online platforms like professional forums or social media groups. Additionally, consider collaborating with local photography schools or workshops to discover talented and passionate individuals eager to assist or work as second shooters. An established reputation will likely attract skilled professionals looking for valuable opportunities.

Also as a photography instructor . I have many students who need to attend practical training , this helps me a lot It's a win win situation they practice, when i am finishing my work in a low budget without losing control

Not only networking with other photographers will help you find assistents and second shooters but you will also grow your knowledge and gather artistic influences, this is specially important when starting as a photographer because defining your artistic style is the starting point to improve.

If you are looking for professional photography assistance, there are several platforms you can explore, such as photoassistant.com. You can also check local photography groups on Facebook or consider reaching out to photo organizations and universities/schools in your area. However, it's crucial to ensure that the individuals or organizations you choose to work with are qualified and experienced based on your specific needs. Before making a decision, take the time to review their portfolio and confirm their skills.

The best places I found to find second shooters / other photograhers / videographers were always social media groups, Linkedin have many different photography groups, these sometimes can be for the city that you live in. Just post that you are looking for either free or paid, you will be surprised as to how many people photographers are in a constant state of building a portfolio

Indeed, online platforms are really helpful. If you have established some experience in the photography business, there will always be beginners who will be eager to learn from your experience. So a perfect exchange of learning and growing can happen on these platforms. The only thing is you might have to invest more time and multiple shoots in finding your perfect match of people you can work well with, but that's how the process works in life also.

Whenever we are looking to add new members to our team as photography assistants, we often look to websites such as Handshake which give us access to local students who are interested in learning or beginning an internship to earn credits. This turns into a win/win for both sides as we receive the much needed help and we are also able to contribute to the development of a new and aspiring photographer. If you're lucky, the relationship can become long-lasting, well beyond the length of the initial intended internship.

A great way to find second shooters is to work with contract photographer companies! I’ve met many of my second shooters by being paired up and working with them on weddings in the past. Connecting on Facebook groups is another great way to meet second shooters and assistants!

Les plateformes en lignes et les annuaires sont également un bon moyen de trouver des profils intéressants. Ma préférence va aux plateformes en lignes car souvent le candidat a mis en ligne une biographie et son portfolio. Les annuaires sont souvent exhaustifs mais demandent à mon avis un peu plus de vérification à posteriori.

Online platforms are best way to reach out your desired candidate when you're planning to start your project in other cities or looking for remote assistance. Using online platforms one can find best candidate in thier respective places.

Sollte in der heutigen Zeit eigentlich selbstverständlich sein. Zur Informationsbeschaffung gibts kaum ne andere Möglichkeit, die so effizient ist , wie die Recherche übers Internet.

Utilize websites like Facebook, Instagram or even LinkedIn to post opportunities. Platforms like Instagram or photography forums can be effective for finding talented individuals interested in collaboration.

Utilizing social media can help you expand your network and build quickly, you're able to see their content and style from what they've shown online. Places like Instagram and Facebook offer an easy way in to gather options and then from there you can interact and narrow down until you find the right person for the project.

The first thing I would do is ask around within my circle. From former coworkers to previous places of work and even my alma mater. I would first reach out within my circle for a referral. I would consider personal referrals to be the most consistently reliable resource.

Ask your network for recommendations, chances are they will have contacts of all skill levels depending on your needs, industry group chats where you can also find assistants. If you ever shoot in a studio multiple times you get to know certain people in the studio and what they are like to work with, the assistants there are usually freelance they either shoot themselves or are in the process of coming up through the ranks sometimes great for networking, creating a post on social media stories is sometimes a quick and easy method and I also like to sometimes post some jobs on my old university FB group to give something back if I have enough notice before the job.

If you're a location shooter, traveling a lot for projects, the simplest thing to do is to phone up photography rental houses and retail shops near the location in question and ask if they have any employees who freelance as assistants. Maybe they know a guy who knows a guy. In the past we would call film labs, too. Those days are mostly in the past, but a few survive.

We all seek reliable resources for our needs. Referrals are an effective strategy, especially when the source is trustworthy, making it a quick and efficient method. However, I suggest avoiding referrals from your immediate family, cousins, or friends. The reason behind this is that when hiring an assistant, it's crucial to maintain a professional work environment where rules and responsibilities are strictly adhered to, and personal relationships may complicate this dynamic.

Ask fellow photographers or industry contacts for recommendations or if they know of anyone looking for assistant opportunities.

La méthode du bouche à oreille est efficace mais plus aléatoire en revanche elle permet de garantir le sérieux de l’assistant recherché. Jusqu’à présent elle ne m’a pas permis de rencontrer une personne car les personnes recommandées n’étaient pas disponibles.

Seeking referrals from clients and contacts is a practical approach to finding assistants or second shooters. Leveraging personal and professional connections can lead to reliable recommendations based on firsthand experiences. Engage with your network by asking past clients and contacts for referrals. Inquire about their experiences and any assistants or second shooters they recommend. Friends, family, and colleagues may also provide valuable leads. This method not only helps you identify skilled collaborators but also ensures a level of trust and professionalism based on personal endorsements.

Wenn Sie bereits Kunden haben, fragen Sie sie, ob sie jemanden kennen, der als Assistent oder Zweitfotograf für Ihr Fotoprojekt geeignet wäre. Kunden, die Ihre Arbeit schätzen, könnten qualifizierte Personen empfehlen. Sprechen Sie mit Ihrem persönlichen Netzwerk, darunter Freunde, Familienmitglieder und Kollegen, und fragen Sie, ob sie jemanden kennen, der in der Fotografiebranche tätig ist oder Erfahrung als Assistent hat. Wenn Sie Fotografen in Ihrem Netzwerk haben, die bereits Assistenten oder Zweitfotografen beschäftigt haben, können Sie sie um Empfehlungen bitten. Diese Kontakte können Ihnen qualifizierte Kandidaten empfehlen, die sie selbst getestet haben.

The very first thing I usually do while looking for an assistant on a shoot is to call a friend in that area and see if they have worked with some beginner photographers who can be great assistants, and it works more than 90% of the time as well. We all want reliable people to work with and if someone has already worked with a friend, they are most likely a good help for you too. As advice to my budding photographer friends, word of mouth is probably one of the best ways to market yourself. All you have to do is work well within the network of some good photographers that you admire and their network will surely take you forward from there.

Leverage your existing network by asking clients or contacts for recommendations. Your clients may have worked with talented individuals in the past, making their referrals valuable. Likewise, seeking recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues broadens your search and may lead to trustworthy and reliable assistants or second shooters who come with positive endorsements.

Best way to develop young entrepreneurs and make sure they use your SOP’s while apprenticing for you. When they, inevitably, want to spread their wings and set up their own shop they would have had training, mentorship and real-world on-the-job experience. Thereafter, you have a trusted service provider/sub-contractor who you can do business with going forward and they can grow on their own terms. Win-win.

In the training area it is important not to come across as an expert to a new assistant but as a mentor willing to advance the trade. Just take anyone out without a camera and just sit and talk about what they and you see. You will get a good idea as to the mind of that person in a creative or non creative way. It then depends on you to either develop the person or look elsewhere for another. Sometimes the other might be your spouse or partner. Do not limit yourself.

Teaching others is so rewarding. Not only does it help keep your own skills sharp but it encourages others to want to support you when you're in need of an assistant.

This is definitely the next step forward for my professional friends here. If you are at a stage where your brand is growing but you still work as an individual or in a small team, then training your second shooters or hiring your own team is surely the way to go forward. It helps in so many more ways than you can even think of. Trust me on this.

As a photographer this is really important, i have friends that like photography and want to learn more and they are good to lean on when in need of an assistant, teaching them helped me create a resource i can tap in when in need and helped me grow as a photograph because i learn the challenges of a new assistant or second shoot have to overcome.

It's interesting to me to read this. Sometimes everyone is booked but never can you not find a good assistant. Also, I know many if not most photographers never assisted, and they under pay assistants, and let me say they are one of the most important people on set. Also do not forget if you have them as a second shooter, they don't get assistant rates they get at least twice the rate of assistants. And that's barely fair. I wish more photographers actually assisted as they would realize how important assistants really are. Take care of your crew !!! Always !!!

Training is an essential aspect when onboarding anyone, regardless of the position or role, even if it's an assistant. It involves imparting your rules, work methodologies, restrictions concerning equipment, and client interactions. When you meticulously address the training process, covering all relevant aspects in the office, you set the foundation for a relaxed and professional demeanor on sets, especially when dealing with clients.

Certainement la méthode la plus efficace car elle permet d’une part la transmission du savoir ce qui est particulièrement important et d’autre part d’avoir un collaborateur qui connaîtra le style de son mentor. Les jeunes rencontrent de grandes difficultés à trouver des stages ils seront donc reconnaissants au tuteur et surtout cela permet de créer un binôme gagnant gagnant : un jeune motivé et reconnaissant et un collaborateur fiable et dynamique. Il peut être intéressant de se rapprocher des établissements scolaires pour leur proposer cette collaboration.

Training your assistants will be most economical and budget friendly. Assistants will be more helpful in term of project management as they're travelling with you from the beggining of the project they can share little load and manage the activities. Traing your second shooter will be more suggestable as they can continue your shooting and production process and you can look after other managerial activities in the mean time.

Training aspiring photographers as assistants or second shooters is a commendable strategy. Offering mentorship not only helps them develop skills but also fosters loyalty and long-term collaboration. Identify enthusiastic beginners and provide structured mentorship. Share your photography basics, workflow, and expectations, offering constructive feedback. Consider fair compensation or additional benefits to enhance the learning experience. This approach not only builds a reliable team but also cultivates a collaborative environment where assistants can grow alongside you.

Local universities are ripe with eager to learn students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Many need to make at least something fair to help with life expenses while others are simply seeking experience and the opportunity to become a trusted mentee and perhaps one day to even buy out the company/studio founder. Most universities have a Career Development Center and several use an app called Handshake to make those connections.

Remaining flexible and open-minded in your search for assistants or second shooters is a wise approach. Embracing different perspectives and adjusting project parameters can lead to valuable learning experiences and creative solutions. Embrace diversity in your collaborations, recognizing that the perfect match may evolve over time. Adjust project details to accommodate the skills and availability of your team. Stay open to new ideas and techniques that your assistants or second shooters bring, fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment. This adaptability not only enhances your network but also contributes to the growth of your portfolio.

There are lots of beginner photographers out there who are excited to start out. I have had people start working with me who barely knew the basics and within a month or two they were able to develop a great eye for portrait shots and details! Being willing to spend even a couple of hours with someone and shoot with them so they can see how you roll makes a huge difference in building up their self esteem to be able to push outside of their comfort zone and go after more complex shots, lighting situations, and practice posing on their own time. Creative people are everywhere, sometimes they just need some investment.

Maintain flexibility and an open-minded approach in your search for assistants or second shooters. Recognize that finding the ideal candidate may take time, and be willing to work with different individuals while learning from each collaboration. Adjust project scopes, budgets, or timelines to accommodate the skills and availability of your team members. Embrace new ideas and perspectives that your assistants or second shooters bring, fostering a creative and dynamic working environment. Being flexible and open-minded enhances adaptability, promotes collaboration, and expands both your network and portfolio.

If the assistant perceives that they are stagnant in their current position, and unable to develop their skills or acquire knowledge from the role, it can be an unsatisfactory experience for both parties.Many individuals who have worked with me have transitioned to excellent jobs and higher positions after leaving, with a majority securing roles through my referrals. The reason behind this most of the time to the limited positions available within my company, their growth is constrained. It's crucial to remain open to change and cultivate a long-term relationship with your assistant. By imparting knowledge, you contribute to their professional development, creating a mutual benefit where they can bring enhanced skills to the table in return

Ce qui est important dans les relations humaines est de comprendre que les différences enrichissent le flux artistique et plutôt que d’avoir une personne d’accord sur tout il est parfois préférable d’avoir un collaborateur qui a sa propre personnalité, le Maitre mot est la critique constructive qui permet à chacun d’évoluer en fonction de sa sensibilité artistique sans dénaturer celle de l’autre Par ailleurs cet échange permet au collaborateur de gagner rapidement en autonomie car elle augment sa confiance en lui.

Adaptability is key. Consider candidates with diverse backgrounds or skill sets, as versatility can be an asset. Being open-minded allows you to discover hidden talents and unique perspectives among potential photography assistants or second shooters.

Versteifen Sie sich nicht darauf, den "perfekten" Assistenten zu finden. Unterschiedliche Menschen können unterschiedliche Fähigkeiten und Perspektiven einbringen. Seien Sie bereit, mit verschiedenen Personen zusammenzuarbeiten und deren Stärken zu nutzen. Möglicherweise finden Sie nicht immer jemanden, der genau Ihren ursprünglichen Vorstellungen entspricht. Passen Sie den Umfang Ihres Projekts, Ihr Budget oder Ihren Zeitplan an, um den verfügbaren Assistenten oder Zweitfotografen besser zu integrieren. Seien Sie flexibel und aufgeschlossen. Jeder bringt seine eigenen Ideen und Perspektiven mit. Seien Sie bereit, diese anzuhören und in Ihre Arbeit zu integrieren. Neue Ansätze können Ihre Projekte bereichern und erweitern.

Just listen to the people around you that you interact with each day. While shooting an event I spoke with an AV guy and he was telling me about how his wife has recently got into photography. Now she had some great family photos. I am always looking for subcontractors in my business that are a good fit and unfortunately on that day I forgot to get her in and forgot to give him my card so that she could reach out. When I picked my car up from valet, the valet guy had told me about the things he likes to shoot on the side and he is getting started. I did remember to give him a card and asked him to send me his portfolio. Unfortunately many times they do not follow through on their end. This is just a flexible way to find 2nd shooters.

Eu acredito que é uma maneira de achar um ótimo assistente, porém a realidade é quê existem uma alta competição entre os profissionais. São poucos que conseguem a realocação profissional muito profissional eficiente mas poucas vagas. Atualmente o sistema falho de plataformas como gupy por meio de empresas de contratação é uma realidade que essa escolha de ser "mente aberta" é vago e uma armadilha para engajamento.

Assistants and second shooters stem from long term relationships, colleagues that you trust and you know that they share your vision and your ethos. I am very loyal to my team and this is reciprocated by my assistants and second shooters. Some of my crew have collaborated with me for over two decades, that’s a lot of photos, travel 🧳 and memories. My advice is “teamwork makes the creative dream work” once you have found a team that works, be loyal to that team.

I rarely had a need for an assistant, but volunteered time at local photo classes and schools to meet some young shooters that I could use if I did need a helper. Getting to know other photographers was very useful for when I needed to refer a job. I was very picky because I wanted the client handled the same way I handled them. Being late or unprepared was not an option, be pleasant, professional and remember that the moment is not about you but is about the client and the event. I don't refer and forget, I refer and then visit with the client after the job. A bad report meant I re-shot the job at no charge if possible or I did their next job at no charge. Only had to do that once and I never lost a client to the referral photographer.

one very important thing to consider is the will to learn from your assistant, the will power to improve and do better, and to deliver accordingly. if your assistant does not have the will power to be serious minded, it will affect your workflow. so look out for dedicated persons

Look at their work. Search their potential. Can they endure critique? How much time do they spend with a camera? Whose work do they admire? Their ultimate goals?

Mentoring new photographers. This is the best way to find people who know what you want them to know, are committed to you personally and have had your core beliefs instilled in them.

Networking with other photographers you trust is your best bet. Form good relationships with them; you don't want inexperienced randoms touching your gear.

Establish internship programs with local photography schools or offer internships to students interested in gaining practical experience.

My freelance days of pictures are words / words a pictures taught, by trying, that those who somehow get assigned to an article, rarely succeed in interpreting the axiom that "the reader owns the publication"! This is why Ai copying and repasting of words, differs (I really hope) from graphic thinking of manipulated photographic elements. Bottom line: Creators Create; those that only Record run the risk of getting worn-out by overuse, or getting repeatedly stuck in a annoying groove...groove...groove... groove...groove...groove

Network Insights: Tap into your photography community for recommendations and attend industry events for potential collaborators. Chemistry Over Skills: Prioritize the right energy and chemistry during in-person meetings with potential assistants. Transparent Communication: From the outset, openly communicate your expectations, needs, and what you offer for a clear understanding. Trial Collaboration: Initiate trial projects to assess compatibility and working styles before committing to a long-term partnership. Support Growth: Encourage professional development, balancing reliability with opportunities for your assistant's career growth.