Wanted Photo Assistant for overseas shoots

[Belle&Sebastain]

Why do we have to equate passion with low wages?? :dunno: Does this mean that only people who do what they don't like with a certain degree of reluctance deserve to command higher or at least decent renumeration?

exactly!

I would be passionate as a photographer to upgrade all my skills and charge a decent amount of money to substain my 'middle income' lifestyle so i could use all my energy to do the best i could for your images.

passionate means to observe, learn and apply, to go the extra mile, for me, does not mean exploit or be exploited.

 

[hondasleeper]

I think emulsion wants a bigger share of the pie and not even pay a decent wage or as he said a stipend, for the amount of work.

Let’s say he’s charging the client $1500/day, over 5 days that’s $7500, and he can’t even afford to pay the poor assistant $100/day. How greedy can you get?? It’s not like the photographer is paying for the airfare, meals and lodging, all of these things are going to be billed to the client one way or another. Probably charging the client at least $30,000 for the project for the 3 different trips overseas, can’t even afford to pay more than $450 for all 3 trips. To use passion as an excuse to pay someone that low is unacceptable. It is pure exploitation! Or if you want to put it bluntly bordering slavery.

Do the math!!!! Whoever is even considering it think about it again. You are getting screwed and you probably don't even know it.

emulsion is no better that people coming to CS asking for cheap photography.

 

[Deadpoet]

I think emulsion wants a bigger share of the pie and not even pay a decent wage or as he said a stipend, for the amount of work.

Let’s say he’s charging the client $1500/day, over 5 days that’s $7500, and he can’t even afford to pay the poor assistant $100/day. How greedy can you get?? It’s not like the photographer is paying for the airfare, meals and lodging, all of these things are going to be billed to the client one way or another. Probably charging the client at least $30,000 for the project for the 3 different trips overseas, can’t even afford to pay more than $450 for all 3 trips. To use passion as an excuse to pay someone that low is unacceptable. It is pure exploitation! Or if you want to put it bluntly bordering slavery.

Do the math!!!! Whoever is even considering it think about it again. You are getting screwed and you probably don't even know it.

emulsion is no better that people coming to CS asking for cheap photography.

Can't say it better myself!

 

[Enchanted]

I'm paying $150 per day ... Sheeze, i think i am over-paying for the "assistance' guys ;p

 

[KPuser]

I'm paying $150 per day ... Sheeze, i think i am over-paying for the "assistance' guys ;p

Maybe you wanna think about me next time when you need Assistant.

 

[hondasleeper]

I'm paying $150 per day ... Sheeze, i think i am over-paying for the "assistance' guys ;p

If you think you over paid, you probably did. Trust me I have come across assistants that charge more than they should have, and were not worth what you paid for them or even a fraction of. Use them once and then never used them ever again.

A good assistant is well worth the money. A good assistant is someone who knows what to do how to handle the equipment, talent,..... the list is endless. You'll keep hiring them.

Judging by some assistants that I have come across, no wonder you think you over paid, I know I did.

The whole mentality of some of these 'kids' who want to assist, they think they know everything and think they know better. But then again I have met some good assistants but it is hard to come across a good assistant.

One thing that I have noticed that the mentality that is associated with being an assistant here is that it is not very highly regarded. Well it is, but if you know what the heck you are doing there will be photographers out there that will respect what you do and actually trust your judgement.

I have met full-time freelance assistants in the US, and some of them are really good. Of course the natural transition is to become a photographer but not after working for 2-3 years. But most start off working as a full-time assistant for a photographer before going out on their own.

 

[Yezrah]

Passion only happens when one excels in his work and constantly gets rewarded or gains great satisfaction. It is very evil to manipulate others passion just to cut one's costs. Be it client paying a photographer or a photographer paying an assistant, we should pay according to the kind of work others can produce. If the client pays you peanuts, and in turn you have to pay your assistant peanut oil, then the greatest winner will always be the client. This is surely helping to support the global trend of increasing income disparity where the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer.

 

[LazerLordz]

It's not a mickey shoot, and there is clearly disproportionate remuneration.To each his own, but quality is never cheap. That's reality.

 

[hondasleeper]

Sure doesn't sound like a Mickey Mouse shoot but the "pay" sure is.

Maybe the photographer, instead of paying $150 for the entire job to the assistant, should pay him in Monopoly money and tell him it's all about the passion no the money.

 

[yqt]

You got tp be joking, $150/- a week for a paying oversea shoot? I pay more to hire a maid than $600/- a mth ( gov + maid's pay = around $650/- )

Are you a professional photographer ???
I really hope that you're not, if you are, you're giving all professional photographers a very bad name!!!
If you want to exploite anyone go do it somewhere where people don't know better,don't come here under the guise of offering someone " a chance to learn from a pro ", " to see how a commerical job is done ", " gain experience ", " people with passion ", this is all just EXPLOITATION!!! No two ways about it, no matter how you try to snake your way out of this by using passion, YOU'RE JUST HERE LOOKING FOR CHEAP LABOUR!!! STOP GIVING WORKING PHOTOGRAPHERS A BAD NAME !!!

 

[ortega]

maybe should report him to MOM?

 

[hondasleeper]

Even Indian labourers are paid more than that.

I think MOM should get a call. Anyone really know who this photographer is??

 

[hondasleeper]

You got tp be joking, $150/- a week for a paying oversea shoot? I pay more to hire a maid than $600/- a mth ( gov + maid's pay = around $650/- )

Are you a professional photographer ???
I really hope that you're not, if you are, you're giving all professional photographers a very bad name!!!
If you want to exploite anyone go do it somewhere where people don't know better,don't come here under the guise of offering someone " a chance to learn from a pro ", " to see how a commerical job is done ", " gain experience ", " people with passion ", this is all just EXPLOITATION!!! No two ways about it, no matter how you try to snake your way out of this by using passion, YOU'RE JUST HERE LOOKING FOR CHEAP LABOUR!!! STOP GIVING WORKING PHOTOGRAPHERS A BAD NAME !!!

Well said!!!!!!!!

Now I wanna see what the thread starter has to say now, in his defence.

 

[yqt]

Well said!!!!!!!!

Now I wanna see what the thread starter has to say now, in his defence.

Not " him " but " her " and according to her posting in B&S, her name is KJ Tan.

 

[vince123123]

There are actually many professional assistants in the USA who do nothing but assisting, and who never transition to becoming a photographer. I would even say that in a high level assitant, he will know things that a photographer does not, simply because it is an assistant's job and not a photographer's job. Just like how a doctor may not know how lab testing technicians works - he sends the test to the lab to be done.

So an assistant is not always a stepping stone to be a photographer nor a transition to becoming one. They are sometimes regarded as being two different professions, especially in the USA.

If you think you over paid, you probably did. Trust me I have come across assistants that charge more than they should have, and were not worth what you paid for them or even a fraction of. Use them once and then never used them ever again.

A good assistant is well worth the money. A good assistant is someone who knows what to do how to handle the equipment, talent,..... the list is endless. You'll keep hiring them.

Judging by some assistants that I have come across, no wonder you think you over paid, I know I did.

The whole mentality of some of these 'kids' who want to assist, they think they know everything and think they know better. But then again I have met some good assistants but it is hard to come across a good assistant.

One thing that I have noticed that the mentality that is associated with being an assistant here is that it is not very highly regarded. Well it is, but if you know what the heck you are doing there will be photographers out there that will respect what you do and actually trust your judgement.

I have met full-time freelance assistants in the US, and some of them are really good. Of course the natural transition is to become a photographer but not after working for 2-3 years. But most start off working as a full-time assistant for a photographer before going out on their own.

 

[eow]

I am looking for a photographer's assistant for a hotel brochure shoot in several different overseas locations. The job scope includes (but is not limited to) handling studio lights, photo accessories, setting up and dismantling, maintaining a log after every shoot and taking care of and ensuring the smooth running of equipment at all times.
All airfares, accommodation and meals will be provided, including a stipend of $150 a week. Applicants need to have a good attitude towards work, be physically fit (able to travel well and handle heavy equipment), willing to learn and take instruction, be a team player and ready to work long hours. Basic lighting experience would be an advantage.

First on-location shoot 7 - 13 Jan, second shoot 22 - 29 Jan. Future shoots scheduled for 12 - 25 March and April. If you are interested, please PM me with your photo experience and what you hope to learn from this. Details will only be shared with successful applicants.

Thanks!

read those highlighted in red...seriously ur expectation is too much..

 

[yqt]

read those highlighted in red...seriously ur expectation is too much..

I don't think it is asking too much of an assistant to do what was mention, it is what I would expect from a paid assistant, only problem here is that this small girl is asking for the right things from an assistance but want to pay only bread crumbs!!! She seems to know what she's doing but is trying to cover her as* by saying that there'll be " porters and inhouse electrician/technicians on standby " , that it is not complicated, she'll run through the equipment and need-to-do list beforehand . What a load of BULLSH*T!!!!

 

[jetspeed818]

I'm paying $150 per day ... Sheeze, i think i am over-paying for the "assistance' guys ;p

than i am even worst....paying my assistants $60 per HOUR!! And I though I am underpaying them......(too bad that's all my client willing to budget)....and I never keep a cent for hirering the assistant.

 

[deepcover]

EH emulsion dont give us that bull, about working for expereience ,exposure, what stepping stone to a photographer, you want to cheat newbies issit?
dont work for this guy, $21 for a day, dudes, dont be desperate for this kinda work
my day rate is $200 and still got people hire me!
so dont be duped by this kinda of A hole

 

[Wai]

I'm paying $150 per day ... Sheeze, i think i am over-paying for the "assistance' guys ;p

Ops...think i really overpaid someone to be my assistant liao....hope i didnt spoil the market for over-paying :think: