Do I think that poorly of all photographers? Not at all. I’ve got some really good clients in my roster. To be able to survive in this town, solely as an assistant, should attest to that. Just as income is feast or famine, there is an emotional roller coaster that rides shotgun. You’d think that after 5 years, I’d be over it, but that frustration still surfaces when I have to fight for my due over a job well done.

In any case, the write up on my assisting page still holds true. In the grand scheme of things, I am very happy with my life, and what I do. Otherwise, I would have long since cashed in my GI bill to Woodbury.

After I went freelance, I had some painful experiences assisting for other photographers. Berating me in front of clients. Weird passive-aggressive communications. Slow bill payers. “Why do I feel like a less worthy human being after working for this guy?” I politely refuse to work with some people now. “Sorry I am booked.”

Know that you are competent and valuable. If you are having nightmares, get out of that job situation.

I have to disagree with that photographer. Just as in any profession, there are some assholes, but there are more really great and honorable people. Watch out for the bad ones, but don’t let them color your whole working life. If you do, they “win.”

It’s about 1AM. I just got home after working a 13 hour day. A peek in the mailbox reveals a little more than junk mail. The check for the teching job that I did during the first week of January has still not arrived……even though It was “mailed” almost a week ago. So, I’ll call the studio tomorrow, and talk to the personal assistant, who then will wait for the bookkeeper (in another state) to return her call (which will take about 2 days). In the meanwhile, I’ll stress over what bills I can pay on time, and the photographer will enjoy a good night’s sleep.

“Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.”
Peter F. Drucker

On many jobs were the photographer is getting $10,000 to $60,000 a day I:
Sit down and discuss what lighting style from someone else’s shoot he wishes to use.
Pre-produce the job, order the equipment and studio or book the location.
Higher the other assistants or Digital techs.
Guide the crew, set builders and set stylists.
Calm the client and the photographer when the set builders knock over a 12K HMI and order a replacement.
Setup the lighting that the photographer selected from my lighting archives.
Tweak and color correct when needed.
setup, position and frame the first shot. (…and the 2nd & 3rd & …..)
Let the photographer know that stylist needs to put shoes on the model that’s on set.
Shoot each set sans models for the retoucher.
Secure the film and digital files and send for processing if needed.
strike the set and pre-light for the next day.

Accept that until this job the photographer was shooting book jackets, but now can’t take 15 seconds to thank you for the day.

One day soon these photographers will find themselves with out a crew and they will have to focus their own damn cameras.

Just an Assistant.