How do you become a photographer’s assistant (specifically Photoshop retouching)?
One of my absolute obsessions is portrait retouching. I spend a lot of time helping people learn photoshop and retouch their photos on various online communities, and in my spare time I would actually love to start working for a photographer to help with their photography post-production.
My question is, how on earth do you get a position like this? Essentially what I’d love to do is just be handed gigs of RAW files and spend my free time making them look great, but most traditional photography assistant positions are either for help on shoots or shooter smaller gigs. What’s the best way to get a job that’s more focused on the post-production?
I would say the big thing is to have a website that you can post examples of your work on, as well as a physical portfolio. Most assistants jobs nowadays require something, and in retouching its really critical to be able to show many examples of your skill.
To actually get a job though, there are two ways i can think of:
1. Research photographers in your area, and find out what they specialize in. Portrait, wedding and commercial guys want to be busy shooting, not sitting at a computer. Email, write, call, drop by, anything you feel is best in order to get at least a conversation going with them, seeing what their needs are. Maybe they dont want constant help, but could hire you on a freelance basis.
2. Contact the large retouching businesses. Very often commercial photogs send out ALL or most of their post work to a retouching house so they can get more work shooting. Contacting these guys is tricky, but doable. Again, a portfolio is crucial.
The point is is that you have to network within the photographic community to get work. People have to know who you are and what you do in order to be able to hire you.
The only other thing i can add is to be open to doing the other assistant stuff as well as post work. Having a well rounded view of the industry is important for future success. Good luck!
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