How to be an efficient assistant
The main tips and skills needed to be an efficient assistant:
Good at multi-tasking - This is a good skill as if the studio has a client in or is super busy you
are more than likely to be called to do little tasks such as going
getting dinners or cleaning up meaning you need to be able to leave a
certain job and go straight back to it.
Be intuitive - If you feel a client is tired offer a chair, always offer people if they want a drink.
Be three steps ahead.
Listen and see - If the photographers/assistant/manager/client has an empty cup ask if they
want a drink. If you hear something needs doing, do it without them asking.
Be helpful - Always say yes, and ask if there is anything you need help doing, this will go a
long way.
Always drop what you are doing and help - If you are doing a job and get asked to do
something else, say yes stop what you are doing
and go help, as this will probably be an urgent job
(e.g. products need to be packed away for picking
up)
Listen carefully to what you are being asked to do - Especially is they have clients in, you are
most likely to be given a list of jobs that
need doing throughout the day, so listen
and remember so that you don’t get in the
way or have to asked what else needs
doing.
Take the camera from the photographer - If you are assisting on a shoot, especial a model
shoot, and the photographer is holding the camera
for the whole day when they take breaks take the
camera off them as this helps then as cameras can
get heavy.
Be clean and organised - This is important, as a clean space means a clean head and it helps
the photographers keep track and have a clear place to work.
Furthermore this helps reduce risk of health and safety. You will
most likely be asked to put things away and find things so keeping
things organised doesn’t only just help you co-workers but youself to
keep track of where things are.
Cover up leads - It is important to move leads to the side of hide them under matts so that
people do not trip.