Assistants (?)

[thebeginning]

I've come to a point where I realize that I need (or should have) an assistant for my portrait shoots, and possibly even my wedding shoots as well. It seems odd, but I find that I could use assistants more with portrait jobs than with weddings...hm.

Anyway, here's my question. What do you look for in an assistant for portrait shoots - namely bridals, seniors, and families? I know of many young people (friends, family friends, etc.) that might be willing to work for me on a shoot-to-shoot basis (not contracted labor), but I'm having a hard time deciding who would be best. I don't know of too many adults that would be interested, so I'm mostly limited to teens.

Assuming that I could teach them everything they would need to know as far as 'photo jargon' and such, and all of them would be physically capable of doing what I needed, what else is important? Should I look for a girl or a guy? Someone that's confident and calm, or outgoing and bubbly? I obviously will know which people will be reliable or not, I'm just not sure what would be best for the client's experience. Any experiences or suggestions would be much appreciated!

[thebeginning]

i'm starting to feel like this might be one of those common sense questions...and i just look like a total noob.

[Killeenguy]

I would say yes to your question if your busy enough to hire an assistant. An experienced hand would be better suited in my opinion, someone with passion for the job.

I almost forgot to answer your last question, I believe a person who is positive and understands how to treat customers with knowledge and in a tactful manner would be a higher priority before looking at their gender.

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by thebeginning

I've come to a point where I realize that I need (or should have) an assistant for my portrait shoots, and possibly even my wedding shoots as well. It seems odd, but I find that I could use assistants more with portrait jobs than with weddings...hm.

Anyway, here's my question. What do you look for in an assistant for portrait shoots - namely bridals, seniors, and families? I know of many young people (friends, family friends, etc.) that might be willing to work for me on a shoot-to-shoot basis (not contracted labor), but I'm having a hard time deciding who would be best. I don't know of too many adults that would be interested, so I'm mostly limited to teens.

Assuming that I could teach them everything they would need to know as far as 'photo jargon' and such, and all of them would be physically capable of doing what I needed, what else is important? Should I look for a girl or a guy? Someone that's confident and calm, or outgoing and bubbly? I obviously will know which people will be reliable or not, I'm just not sure what would be best for the client's experience. Any experiences or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Daniel,

In your position, I would look for a female. Male and female clients alike are more comfortable around a female. They will respond and relax quicker than if a male is posing, fusing with hair etc. unless the male assistant is very adept at what they do.

A female should be able to position and hold reflectors, etc just as well as any male assistant. So that shouldn't be an issue.

One thing I would be sure of in any one you hire: make sure they have excellent personal hygiene habits. Nothing is more of a turn off than having someone around you (clients) with poor personal hygiene habits and grooming.

CJ

[Killeenguy]

funny story...a repeat friend was in the studio and after rescheduling over her hectic schedule, we couldn't get my make up artist to assist with her magic.
Well she was left to try her hand at curling her own hair. After getting her settled into the make up room I noticed her having trouble with the iron. So I asked her if she needed any help? By all means I've never curled hair before but being the artist and adaptive person I curled her hair.

My point is...interviews may be your best tool to finding the person who meets your needs. In my 8 years of portraiture I've never had a problem setting a client at ease.
So Agreeing with Coby adaptive males do exist they are just hard to find.

[bondarnes]

I use summer interns a lot and have had much better success with female assistants. They are not as good at mowing the lawn during slow times, but they are much more intuitive during a shoot and will pick up on what I need them to do much quicker.

Most of them are interested in photography as a career or an artistic outlet, but I have had a couple of very good assistants that were only mildly interested in photography and were not really here to learn more about it. It was just a summer job.

An outgoing personality is a plus and attention to details is a must. Almost to the point of being OCD. And an amen to good hygiene

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

Daniel,

In your position, I would look for a female. Male and female clients alike are more comfortable around a female. They will respond and relax quicker than if a male is posing, fusing with hair etc. unless the male assistant is very adept at what they do.

A female should be able to position and hold reflectors, etc just as well as any male assistant. So that shouldn't be an issue.

One thing I would be sure of in any one you hire: make sure they have excellent personal hygiene habits. Nothing is more of a turn off than having someone around you (clients) with poor personal hygiene habits and grooming.

CJ

Sexist.

Any particular height, weight or race?



Coby - I am just giving you a hard time....

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Sexist.

Any particular height, weight or race?



Coby - I am just giving you a hard time....

LMAO...Thank you Andrew. I needed a good laugh.

As sexist as it sounds, it is very true. Females just make better assistants, or rather as Ruben said, adaptive males are hard to find. I am rather adept at hair, wardrobe etc. when it comes to posing etc. It is just too much a pain to do it all yourself sometimes. Females always tend to pay more attention to personal hygiene as well. Guys, well that is sorta touch and go. LOL

CJ

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by CobyPhoto

LMAO...Thank you Andrew. I needed a good laugh.

As sexist as it sounds, it is very true. Females just make better assistants, or rather as Ruben said, adaptive males are hard to find. I am rather adept at hair, wardrobe etc. when it comes to posing etc. It is just too much a pain to do it all yourself sometimes. Females always tend to pay more attention to personal hygiene as well. Guys, well that is sorta touch and go. LOL

CJ

"Adaptive Male" - I better not touch that one with a comment.

[Killeenguy]

personal hygiene as well. Guys, well that is sorta touch and go. LOL

CJ[/QUOTE]

that's funny you mention that.... I don't know if it's because I'm so macho :P but I have the darndest time finding a good deodorant...I don't like sticks or gels...sprays used to do it for me...then I found old spice spray...strong but it works.

But seriously .. is it the older we get the stronger we smell? lol

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Sexist.

Any particular height, weight or race?



Coby - I am just giving you a hard time....

Height?? Tall enough reach the lights on rails and short enough to clear a door without ducking. Shorter or taller are worker's comp. risks.

Now that you ask I have found that heavier assistants have trouble keeping up with me. Especially heavy girls. They start running out of energy in the middle of the afternoon and want to go sit down.

I would use any race, but have only had caucasians apply up until this point. No I take that back, I had a black fella work for me for almost a year about twenty years ago. I kept telling him he wasn't ready, but he left me and started his own studio. It lasted about six months. I would have hired him back, but he didn't come around or ask.

[Killeenguy]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

"Adaptive Male" - I better not touch that one with a comment.

hey hey heyy! a guy has to do what he has to do...I'm no bi-sexual frog, but until I find a girl friend who does hair and make up...I'll continue being adaptive :P

[CobyPhoto]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

"Adaptive Male" - I better not touch that one with a comment.

You coward! LMAO

CJ

[Killeenguy]

I would use any race, but have only had caucasians apply up until this point. No I take that back, I had a black fella work for me for almost a year about twenty years ago. I kept telling him he wasn't ready, but he left me and started his own studio. It lasted about six months. I would have hired him back, but he didn't come around or ask.[/QUOTE]

I've been apprenticing for 3 years now while going to school for The studio in Temple... and I'm still not ready. But sure would like to work in the big city for a veteran photographer. I'm great at designing wedding albums "cough" cough" :)

[HotHolly]

I usually go for an assistant that compliments* my personality. If you're having fun the clients having fun. The 4 of us ALWAYS have a ton of fun. I also tend to look for people that are intuitive. They tend to work out better and can think on their feet. I like it when the intern or assistant can think. Makes my job easier. I'd rather pick the personality type/ work ethic and train them on the rest. My last intern had no camera when I hired her. Mike thought that I was silly, but she worked out great. You can always do a trial basis and test someone out for a couple of weeks. It usually takes a person a bit to loosen up. Then you can see what they can do.

My art brain was defining complimentary this way -
*Complimentary: color pairs on opposite ends of the color wheel. Placing them next to each other makes them both appear more intense than they would be alone.

Substitute 'color' with 'people' and you get the general idea. The people wheel. lol.