Starting out

[tandberg]

E-mail dave (dave@capturethemood.co.uk)

Hi all

I have been working for a photographer assisting at weddings with her, and for her, but i am wanting to go on my own now.

Could people give advice on albums and putting them together as i have never seen this done.I dont know really who are the best to purchase from Eg reasonable price albums to more up market client albums i live in west yorkshire, any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

[tonymidd]

Google, Spicer Hallfield, Middlewall, Smiths Albums, Acerboni, Art Leather. That should give you an idea of whats out there, also visit Focus at the NEC at the end of the month.

[Stemmy]

Just what Tony said. You need to know what you are going to charge for your weddings. This will narrow down your search. Focus is a good place to get your hands on some.

[tonymidd]

I forgot, get as many of your potential competitors price lists as you can. Also read the 'interesting read' thread. http://www.photography-forum.org/

[nell]

hi guys,

sorry not really related to this thread but wasn't sure where to post message?! i'm a keen amateur photographer and i got a phone call today asking me to go into see this photographer guy as he needs an assistant. i've never worked as a photographers assistant and was wanted to be sure that i wasn't getting used and not paid well. how much should i expect to get as a photographic assistant??? can anyone help me? i just want to be prepared so i don't get taken advantage of, as i'm very wary to the fact that he knows i don't have any photographic qualifications!? please help!

thanks, nell. x

[Stemmy]

To give you an idea.

I offer a two camera shoot on all my weddings - I pay the second photographer - £70 for the day.

I also employ another photographer who can do a "Full Wedding" ie the "Posh" shots - I pay him £150 for the day plus 10% of all reprints over £500. Keeps the incentive there.

I think photographers are paying people just to assist ie. carry the bags - no photography around £40 - £50 per wedding.

Hope this helps

[mfynes]

I just took on two assitants, one who has no experience at all and gets paid nothing, but if her shots are purchased or used in the main album, she gets a cut of the sale price. The reason being is, I am not trying to use them in anyway, the fact is, the knowledge and time I give is investment into them, they are learning for free, but once they become able to frame and shoot, using light etc. etc. I would then sell their services to the client and pass the majority of the extra charge over to them, including print commissions. After all, they have asked to go to school!

The other assistant who is a capable photographer will be earning from day one.

[nell]

hey,

thank you for both of your replies. i think i may be there just to make coffee, make clients feel relaxed etc and hopefully learn on the job, so do not expect to get paid much if anything. i just wondered what the 'standard' rules were as such.

Mike (and everyone else), is it common for a photographer to take on an assistant in order to train them? should i expect to be able to progress into this industry from becoming an assistant? or would i always struggle to find another job with no qualifications? I thought i'd ask you seen as had taken one on assistant with no qual. and were experienced in this. i just want to go to see this guy being as best prepared as i can. any help/advise you can give me would be great as this is really something i want to get into and this opportunity just seems to good to be true at the moment!! :grin:

thank you for your time.

nell.

[Dotty.c]

Don't know if this will help but but the guy who coached me through my City & Guilds, and runs his own photography business started out as an assistant, after being a "runner" on fleet street, he reckons it's the best way, just make sure you are going to learn as you go, even if you only brain pick for a while the info will be invalueble

[mfynes]

I can only give my view on this, if I was to advertise for an assistant, then that is a paid position. If I am approached or hear that someone wants to learn all aspects of the business in taking wedding photos and the photographer is prepared to take them under their wing, then this is a non payed trainee, as after a period of time 18 months or so he will leave and compete against you, what is the benefit to the photographer.

If you can find someone willing to take you on, then I would jump at the chance. Just my view. Of course I think the photographer should be giving you some form of incentive (financial reward) but this is not the clincher, experience and knowledge transfer is.

[nell]

thanks for all your help guys! that's great! :Dm