Photographer’s Assistant: What I look For

1. Great attitude
2. Great attitude
3. Hard working
4. Knowledge of technical/equipment
5. Great personality

Notice photo school is not on here, nor is 10 years experience, nor are a lot of things you might expect. For the newest assistant on the team, I’d way prefer to have simply a great attitude, be a hard worker, have an open mind, and a working knowledge of most things photo. And do note, this is is not for a first or second assistant. I have those on staff (you guys rock), but if I didn’t, I would only look to tweak the description above to put ‘knowledge of technical/equipment’ up one notch just below just one ‘great attitude’ and one ‘hard working’.

You get the picture. There’s actually a lot of information to take away from this…
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…post. Hope we those interested can read between the lines. Happy Friday. Have a great weekend.

[FWIW, this isn’t a hint that we’re accepting applications or to email me about assisting, we’re fully staffed….Reason for this post is that, in a strange confluence, I got asked that question a zillion times last week via email, just like this one below, reprinted with permission…]

Hi Chase,

When have a second I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. I was wondering what you look for in assistant before you hire them, esp. if they have just graduated from school. I live in Montreal and I am ready to adventure into the world of assisting. I know times are touch with the recession, so I would just like some input from a successful photographer and there requirements on hiring a fresh new assistant from graduated from school.

Thanks for you informative blog!

Enjoy life!

Best,

NIkol Mikus

23 replies on:
Photographer’s Assistant: What I look For

Bipin Regmi says:

July 11, 2009 at 5:43 am

I just hope all the job requirement are as good as this one. People look for everything else then what you look for and you know the results…
I might have gone to a fancy training place however that won't make me Jack…
What you can do is more important then what you might be able to do 🙂

Thanks Chase
Michael Warth says:

July 10, 2009 at 5:33 pm

Cool list Chase – simple and to the point! Now all I have to do is become good enough to need an assistant. I hope I get the chance to use your list when I hire an assistant.

BTW – thanks for sharing this too. I have often wondered what it takes to work in your studio. I am too old and too poor to go back to school but always willing and always working to learn new things. Therefore it is nice to see education is not a driving qualification in your eyes.

As always – you (and your staff) rock!

Mike
SantIR phptography says:

July 10, 2009 at 3:30 pm

man, haha i didnt see the second part. just ignor my email chase.. haha
but i have what your looking for if you ever need an assistant, in my email you can see what im coming from and how hard of a work ethic i have, and for not going to school and learning from McNally from the side lines and infront of the camera i think i have what any pro needs for an assistant.. With that said here is my email if any one is looking for a great assistiant.. santiiscool@gmail.com
GregtheBunny says:

July 10, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Some of my best assistants are also models. Girls that really 'get' what it takes to make a great photoshoot and who work hard to make a great experience for the model that is in front of the camera at that moment
Gregory says:

July 10, 2009 at 10:56 am

I wish more people had the attitude… that formal training isn't necessary to be successful at anything in the creative industry.

Technical skills and the specifics of how a company does things are easily taught and trained… having a good attitude and work ethic and being generally creative are not.

I've lost a few jobs because I don't have a creative degree. A shame.

Nice post, Chase.