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Being assistant or going to school?


helinophoto

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Hi

 

34 year old computer professional here (10 year experience), trying to make the move into professional

photography (3 year experience trough "self teaching")......need some help.

 

I've been reading up and down former questions, both there and other places; Trying to figure out if it is better

to take an education in photography or try to get an assisting position with a working professional instead.

 

Now, my plan for 2009, is to leave my own country and job and move to Milano, Italy and try to get an assisting

position. I really want to work within the fashion industry, so Milano seemes like a great place to start, no? I

have been saving money for the past two years, so that I have some financial backing as well, should things fail

miserably or if I should need money for something.

 

But how to I go about getting an assisting position, really?

 

Do I just knock on doors with my port under my arm at various photographers in Milano? =)

 

I was also thinking about applying to IED (Istituto Europeo di Design), but there are a couple of snags with this;

- It cost money.

- I really don't know what I get.

- I will have to learn Italian very very good in a very short time to understand the lectures.

- it takes time (1-3 years).

- I still have to go as an assistant after an education.

 

If it is possible to "make it" by assisting other photographers? It would be awesome because;

- You will earn money while you learn.

- From what I've read, you will learn more from assisting than trough education. (is this really true?)

- You will get a foot in the door to the industry and you will learn how to work in the industry.

 

Any pointers, experiences or tips that anyone here could give me, would be nice.

I know that I have a lot to learn, and should my adventure into the pro fashion photography business fail, I can

always go back to my old job, which is as an IT consultant, well paid too, but my passion is for photography.

 

I have no illusions, I don't think the fashion photography business is a pink cloud of easy living, I know that

it demands hard work, persistence, business skill and the ability to self-innovate and adapt.

- And that it is mode business than actual photography some times and that the income is not the best always.

 

Well, I'd really like some views on my plans here, as I am preparing to pack up and leave during the first half

of 2009, any information I can gather until then, will probably be very valuable.

 

I have been doing the odd TFP sessions with amateurs and semi pro models and here are some of the results:

 

http://znapper.ath.cx/photostation/thumbnails.php?album=56 (my attempt at various fashion things)

 

http://znapper.ath.cx/photostation/thumbnails.php?album=60 (gothic models and alternative fashion).

 

Will I get laughed out if I print these and use them as my port? (they represent what I know at the current level

and with the current resources I have by shooting out of my living room).

 

If anyone know someone in Milano that need an assistant, give me their number! =)

 

Kind regards

Ole-Henrik

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Hi Knack,

 

I was exactly where you are back in 2002.

 

I left the software industry and jumped into being a full time photographer.

 

I tried the assisting route in San Francisco for a while but realized quickly that was not what I wanted and wasn't getting

me anywhere quick.

 

In 2004 I moved to Massachusetts to attend the Hallmark Institute of Photography and graduated at the top of my class

in '05.

 

After that I moved to Vegas to start my own business and haven't regretted it for minute.

 

The photography industry is a crowed industry and professional credentials give you an edge over all the other wanna be

photographers flooding the market. Of course your work is what sells you as well.

 

Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assistance.

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Hi, thank you for sharing. =)

 

So you went to Hallmark? But one year only, what was the class?

I'd really like not to to a full bachelor, 3 year thing.So, what do you recomend that I look for in a short-term education?

(seems like it is kind of hard to find something that deals purely with fashion and advertising photography)

 

Even though my mind is set for Milano, nothing is ever set before I actually arrive there, so the plans can change. (the only thing that is set in stone, is that 2009 is the year I move into photography for real).

 

=)

 

Kind regards

OH

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Hello Knack,

 

I did the college route. I shot my first wedding at 16. I had an excellent high school teacher taught me the fundamentals of photography, I was shooting

4X5 and medium formats. I start in commercial art then moved into photojournalism while in school. I put myself through school by shooting for two

newspapers and the college information office. I have worked for Scripts League, Pulitzer Inc, and Lee Enterprises. I am now a freelance editorial and

commercial photographer.

 

I think a good portfolio is nice but you need to focus on also knowing the basics. You will need to have a basic understanding of lighting and gear. Make

sure you know the fundamentals of photography. You may want to take a short course at a junior college or a couple of workshops. I would also say

prepare a resume, and online portfolio. I would start email perspective photographers now. Ask them questions, look at their work and style.

 

If I were to recommend a local program to look at, I would would suggest Brooks Art Institute. Although they are not as good as they once were they still

have a decent program.

 

Well Good Luck.

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Wow, I love this site!

 

I've been reading the catalog from Hallmark and it seems really interesting indeed, 2 years of education compressed into 10 months.

Seeing I am 34 now, I feel that time is important (haha), so a short but intensive program which also teach you the business part of photography feels like a really great idea.

 

For Ralph: (you can see some of my past work at znapper.ath.cx/photostation )

I know the basics (at least I feel i do), and I have some experience with film as well (although not MF, just 35mm), developing and scanning at home. I don't know "everything" though, but I've reached a point where I don't know anyone in my area that can actually teach me stuff, without becoming an assistant. This comflicts with my 9-17 day job.

Usually people use me to teach them stuff instead...(which sucks, because I've used a lot of time to educate myself trough books and the internet). I need to learn more and progress, so the logical way is to either get a formal education or become a full time assistant.

 

So, 10 months at Hallmark and then assisting in Milano.....would be cool if that worked out, no? =)

 

Depending a little bit on the dollar value here, as a little variation in that, can mean a lot of money saved/lost.

 

Tnx to all for giving valuable advice here.

 

Regards

 

OH

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  • 2 weeks later...
I met plenty of Assistants who have degrees in photography who are still Assitants after years of in that field. I guess there is nothing wrong with being an Assistant. I have seen the same thing in the software industry QA/Analyst or Testers with programming degrees.
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<p>I will aslo vote for Hallmark, or any of 6 or 8 Community Colleges who teach "workforce" not fine art. </p>

<p>When you are prepared for advertising/fashio, the only practical approach is assisting as an associate of ASMP.  You should be working in a city where there are adv/fash photographers working and there arent'' that many.  Dallas, TX is the hot bed since that is where all of the catalog producers are located.</p>

<p>Lynn </p>

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  • 2 years later...

<p>I have a Bachelors in Marketing and 20 years in Finance. I am ready to learn the technical side for Weddings. Should I try to build a portfoilio on some classes at the community college or just go to a really good school. Problem is I have a good paying editing job in the day. Moving would be okay for a NIGHT PROGRAM. I could keep my editing job, but it would be tough. Cheryl Richards is my favorite and she went to the NEW ENGLAND SCHOOL.<br>

ANY IDEAS ??? THANKS ANN</p>

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