[by Judy Herrmann]
While building my “Breaking into the Biz” seminar, I asked about 100 photographers what makes a bad assistant. I spoke with architectural photographers, fashion photographers, editorial photographers, advertising photographers, wedding photographers and more. From coast to coast, big city to small town, their answers were remarkably consistent. Here are seven simple things you can do to get deleted from a photographer’s call list:
- Be late.
If you can’t avoid being late, call and give an ETA that you know you’ll be able to make.
- Dress inappropriately.
If you’re not sure whether it’s ok to leave in piercings, show your tattoos or bare your midriff, ask.
- Take personal calls, text or listen to your iPod while on set.
‘Nuff said.
- Sit or eat when the photographer isn’t.
Sound medieval? Keep in mind the photographer is charging their client for you to be there. If you’re lazing around, the next time a photographer puts an assistant into the budget, the client’s gonna balk. Besides, you’re getting paid – keep yourself busy!
- Stare off into space.
Pay attention. Stay alert. Be proactive. The assistant who reaches for a power cord when they see me grab a power pack is the first one I call the next time.
- Embarrass the photographer in front of the client.
If things aren’t going well and you have an idea that will save the day, don’t just blurt it out. Take the photographer aside and let him or her decide if they agree it’s as brilliant as you think.
- Forget who your client is.
As tempting as it may be to promote yourself to the photographers’ client, that’s the quickest way to end your assisting career. Word of your misdeed will have spread through your community before you’ve made it home from the job.
I can’t promise that if you never do any of these things you’ll rise to meteoric success as an assistant – building an assisting business takes a lot other skills including strong understanding of sound business practices and marketing. I’m pretty confident, though, that if you don’t avoid these things, those other skills won’t be enough to save you.
Judy Herrmann‘s Breaking into the Biz program will be presented at Photo Plus Expo in New York this fall. In the meantime, you can learn more about building a successful photography business here and on her blog, 2goodthings.com.