How to start..

[Nocturnus]

Well, i've been messing with the idea on/off for a while. I actully did some work start of the year (jewelry product shots for a catalog) and that went really well. I've already got my name, dba and tax id now for a while.

My real question is, how do I go about finding someone local that needs an assistant? I really need to learn how to photograph people better. I'm going to look into taking the lighting classes and all when I can also.

Thanks.

[*Mike*]

Originally Posted by Nocturnus

My real question is, how do I go about finding someone local that needs an assistant?

Find a photogs style that you like, and ask them. The worst that happens is they say no. In our experience, finding a good assistant or intern is like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you want to offer up yourself to be the needle - go for it.

[Shelby Lane]

My best assistant found ME. So, like Mike said, I'd find people you admire and ask if they are hiring. Do not expect to shoot right away, particularly if you're working for a portrait photographer. Most of us in the portrait world are interested in hiring session assistants, photoshop work, phone people, etc -- not extra shooters. But, for instance, my assistant is not only doing a lot of the photoshop work and assembling orders, she's also helping out during sessions and you can learn so much from watching and asking questions. Good luck!

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Shelby Lane

My best assistant found ME.

Same here.

[bondarnes]

Wow, are you in the right place at the right time. Since you are in Austin I would suggest that you contact either Lynn Jones or Kathryn Watts-Martinez at Austin Community College. Take him/her/them to lunch/dinner and tell them your dreams. Lynn has been around this industry for many years and used to write for Rangefiinder magazine. ACC is one of only a handful of colleges/community colleges in the nation that have a professional level photography program.

[Nocturnus]

Yeah, i'm not really looking to get hired on anywhere. I've love to be around the situations, help out where I can, learn and ask questions.

I've always looked at the stuff over at ACC, UTexas used to have quite a few photography classes in their "Informal Class" site.

[Shelby Lane]

Ed, that may make things more difficult, especially locally. Personally, I don't take shadowers or volunteers during sessions. If you're there, you're either the client or you're on staff. Now, I will bring in clients when I teach, to use as models, but that is different because they understand what they're doing there, and that these are other photographers that are learning. But during a paid session, I don't let people shadow because it diverts my attention away from the client and often makes them uncomfortable, and I just don't feel right about that. So really, if you're looking to "watch, learn, and help" you may get more out of some classes than a working studio, just because it may be harder to find someone who takes "ride-alongs" when they are working with paying clients.

[Nocturnus]

Yeah, it's just not possible for me to give up my regular job for this right now and my work schedule doesn't leave much real time for anything (I do a 2pm-12am 4 days/week shift). I've got a few friends that are willing to deal with me using them to learn.

I'm def. looking at the classes, have been for a long time now.