Photographic assistant

A photographic assistant, also known as an "assistant photographer" or "photographer's assistant" is commonly employed by a professional photographer in the everyday running of their photographic business. The work of an assistant photographer is often referred to simply as "assisting". They tend to be employed either on a full-time or freelance basis. The former will often involve assisting a studio-based photographer, not just helping out on shoots but also carrying out the mundane day-to-day running of the studio.

A freelance assistant, on the other hand, will typically assist a number of different photographers on a shoot-by-shoot basis.

Previously, one of the main tasks of the photographic assistant would be reloading 120 film for the photographer. With the onset of digital photography, the task of the assistant is increasingly involving digital work, be it downloading compactflash cards or basic retouching.

An important ongoing task of the assistant photographer, whether working with digital or film, is that of setting up lighting, taking light meter readings and, generally speaking, doing much of the manual setting up work on a shoot.

External links

* [http://www.photoassist.co.uk Photoassist.co.uk] - a database of UK-based photographic assistants, including jobs and discussions forums, plus samples of work by assistants.