Becoming an assistant ?

[Jared]

I have been doing photography now seriously for about the last 2 years and Im looking to further my education by becoming a professionals assistant. I would really like to find a landscape photographer who is in need of an assistant because landscapes are mainly what i shoot. You can see some of my pictures here on Facebook. Thanks
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...&id=1359271211

[Jared]

Does anyone know anything ? this would help me greatly. Thanks

[KMariePhoto]

When I was looking to assist I really just pursued the people who had work that I liked. I would explain that I was a student and wanted to learn from them, some people only had time to meet with me for coffee and help me work through business plan type things and other people let me come along and learn. A lot of photographers are very nice and SO helpful, I would still be at square one if it wasn't for the people who helped me. So I would start looking at photographers you like and pursuing them individually.

[Redneck]

I would think there are not many professional landscape photographers out there. And probably even less who need an assistant. You might want to consider to broaden your spectrum.

[Outlaw]

One of the best ways to get any kind of work position you want is to find someone you want to work with and say, "What would it take?" Such as, find any and all landscape photographers in your area (lots of these in the local clubs and guilds), sort them by who you'd most like to work with and learn from, and start at the top - ask them "What would it take to become your assistant?"

Have the basics ready - portfolio to show, awards you've won, etc., same as you would for any job interview. Introduce the idea not as "Will you hire me?" Or, "Do you need any help around here?", form it as an open-ended question, a problem or puzzle for them to solve. "What would it take?"

Even if 'what it would take' is way more than what you can provide at this point, you'll at least know where you stand and what you have to do. If you learn an artist's requirements to take you on as an assistant and you spend the next three months, six months, or year fulfilling those requirements - you will make a far, far bigger impression on them than anyone who walks in the door with just a resume and desperate smile.

Think outside the box - use a blog, web site, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube to create and build your personal 'brand.' Show your capability, your potential, and your eagerness. Run in their circles, breathe their air, become a part of their network, volunteer when and where you can for specific projects, show imagination and tenacity.

A good mentor will multiply your educational gains over the time you work with them. If you want a huge jump start in your art and business, earning a mentor is an excellent way to get it.