I mentioned before that I worked at a studio while I was in NYC. Initially this was an internship that I applied for through the school I was at (Parsons). I was not required to take an internship during semester, but I wanted to gain some more insight into the industry in NYC other than through school.
I was advised to approach the bigger studios by an assistant working in NYC. He suggested that it was all about who you knew and then who knew you. He couldn’t be more right. It doesn’t matter if you know the inside workings of a digital back or how to light a face with a 2 stop ratio in rembrant style if you don’t know anyone. The bigger studios in NY have interns working in the equipment room most days of the week. If you’re up for some hard work and looking busy during the other times it’s a great way to meet other assistants. In some cases it’s the photographers who hire the assistants, in others it’s the first assistant and in some cases it’s the producer (other members of the crew also hire assistants but these are the three main ones).
I originally had a personal bone to pick with interning unpaid. I feel that anyone who brings a benefit to a business should be paid accordingly. If you truly are learning and aren’t able to bring some expertise to help get the job done then it is possible that your gained experience is your payment – but only for a very brief period of time. In an over saturated industry like photography there is a much higher supply than demand and as a result there are all manner of ways to “get your foot in the door” and unfortunately some of them don’t pay. That said after interning at the studio in NYC for two months (two evenings a week) my name was passed to a photographer who needed someone for a two week job. Following that I saw the work I did at the studio equipment room as an investment into my future earnings – I knew the gear, I understood more of the operation with regards to shoots in NYC and was able to add some value to the shoot. My recommendation for anyone looking to assist would be to intern up to the point that you believe you have gained what you can from that position and would be an asset to the photographer and then approach them with a discussion of remuneration. Be diplomatic about it and honest about your own capabilities – a really green assistant can be more of a hindrance on a shoot than a benefit – and if you believe you are ready and the photographer wants you to continue to work for free then walk. Take the experience you’ve gained and add it to your resume and go find a photographer who is worth working for.
All the best for others out there looking for assisting work.
