Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer Jen OSullivan » hiring

Photo Studio Practice: Finding, Hiring, Training, and yes, Firing Assistants

Jen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:27:14 +0000

There are two roles an assistant can take: studio assistant or production assistant. They sometimes cross over each other, but most times do not. Studio people tend to be the ones really good with the left brain stuff like organizing, tracking, billing, paper work, filing, etc., while production assistants are the more creative types. They want to be in the action. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of people who are good, if not great at both, they are just harder to find. So, how do you FIND an assistant? How do you interview and HIRE an assistant? How do you TRAIN your assistant? And how do you FIRE them if they are a bad apple. Sorry folks, some people will just not work out and you HAVE to fire them. It is part of being a business owner. Here are some helpful tips within each stage of the employment process.

Click HERE to learn more about FINDING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about HIRING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about TRAINING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about FIRING AN ASSISTANT

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Photo Studio Practice: Finding an Assistant

Jen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:26:01 +0000

Here are ten tips on how to find just the right assistant:

1. Write out a list of things you will need them to do on a weekly basis.

2. Determine the number of hours per week you will need them.

3. Decide what the best days would be for you to have them in your studio (home office or brick and mortar.)

4. Decide if you want to pay an assistant or hire them as an intern for work experience as their pay.

5. If you decide to pay them, you will need to set up a W2 or 1099 for them. 1099s are easier and you can just get their Social Security number and have your tax person send them a 1099 at the end of the year.

6. If you decide to have a work for trade internship, clearly define the agreement. For instance “For every 25 hours of work you give me, I will give you an hour of private lessons.” What I do is “pay” my assistants who work for trade $15 per hour to go as credits towards whatever they want: photography lessons, Photoshop or Lightroom lessons, or actual portrait sessions.

7. Ask around first. Remember there is “strength in weak ties.” You never know who is looking to assist in your area of expertise so put the word out EVERYWHERE.

8. Go to the local community colleges in your area. Connect with the department chair of your field of expertise and give them a physical job description for them to post up and email out to the students. They are more than happy to do this and you will most likely find some really eager people.

9. Connect with your local High School Career Resources person. They are the ones who work closely with the Juniors and Seniors to help them figure out what Colleges and career paths to take. They really know the students and can usually hook you up with someone who is incredible. Just tell them the type of person you are looking for and they will pass your info on to the students.

10. If you are involved in a Church or Synagogue, these can be great resources too. Let a few people know you are looking for an assistant and the news will travel like wildfire (especially if you or your spouse is involved in any women’s groups.)

Click HERE to learn more about FINDING AN ASSISTANT (You’re on this Page!)
Click HERE to learn more about HIRING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about TRAINING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about FIRING AN ASSISTANT

Click HERE to go back to the beginning of this discussion.

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Photo Studio Practice: Hiring an Assistant

Jen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:24:24 +0000

Here are ten tips on how to successfully HIRE an assistant:

1. Write up a list of thoughtful questions to ask. Click HERE for a list I use.

2. Create a simple form for them to fill out. Go to any local store and ask for an application, then copy it for yourself. You may want to email this to them and have them email it back BEFORE you meet.

3. Meet with them at the place they will be working if for a studio position.

4. Meet with them at a neutral place such as a coffee shop if for a production position.

5. If you are meeting in a coffee shop, or the like, YOU pay for their coffee or drink.

6. Dress professionally. It will show them what you expect of them. If you show up in ratty old jeans and tennis shoes they will start out with a “friend” impression of you rather than a “boss” impression.

7. Bring a note pad, and actually take notes. If you are interviewing more than one person, believe me, you will confuse them. You will need to make the most informed decision. After all, this is YOUR baby!

8. Do not let the interview take longer than 30 minutes. This is not a time to get chatty. Keep it professional.

9. Have a list of work responsibilities for them as well as the agreement in plain terms. Go over it with them so they fully understand what you are looking for and what they will get in return.

10. Look for these key things when conducting the interview: body language, are they giving you eye contact?, are they slouched back or perched forward on their chair?, what are they wearing (note their shoes,) are they well groomed (look at their finger nails,) do their answers seem rehearsed?, are THEY taking notes? It is not that all these things are super important, however they will tell you a little bit more about them. People put their best foot forward (or at least they should) with interviews, so look at the details.

Click HERE to learn more about FINDING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about HIRING AN ASSISTANT (You’re on this page!)
Click HERE to learn more about TRAINING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about FIRING AN ASSISTANT

Click HERE to go back to the beginning of this discussion.

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Photo Studio Practice: Training an Assistant

Jen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:23:55 +0000

Here are some useful tips on how to train both a Studio Assistant and a Production Assistant.

TRAIN an Assistant (Studio)

1. For Studio Assistants, give small repeatable tasks at first to get them warmed up. You will learn a lot about HOW they learn right in the beginning. Get them into a routine. This will help build their confidence.

2. Set them up with their own space. Don’t hover over them all the time.

3. Tell them how you would like the phone answered and how you expect them to talk to people. You will be surprised at how little people really know about phone etiquette.

4. It is important to make yourself available for them for the first few weeks in case they have any questions.

5. After a couple of weeks start giving them more responsibility. Consider training them in something a bit more advanced by giving them a “lesson” in how something is done.

6. Have tasks ready for them before they come in. Think of ways to show them your business while they help you.

7. Create time cards or have a place they can keep track of their time.

8. Be kind and thank them. Tell them they are doing a good job every once in a while.

9. Correct them when they make an error. Some of you hate the idea of conflict. Sorry, but it is part of being a business owner. You need to get over this and remember they need your correction if they want to learn. Just do it in love.

10. After they work for you for a while (30-60 days) do an evaluation with them. Ask them how they are doing, questions they might have, if they feel this is something they are enjoying. At this point determine if you need to move into phase 4: FIRING an Assistant.

TRAIN an Assistant (Production)

Click HERE for my Assistant Guidelines.

Everyone is different so you will need to figure out what you want and need from a production assistant. Do you want a bag carrier, lighting assistant, second or third shooter? My assistants come in 4 forms: principal assistant (the person who shoots the groom and other things I cannot get to), second assistant (the person who shows up at the start of the ceremony to capture extra shots and then to capture the cocktail hour, portrait studio assistant (sometimes is also the principal, however this person is strictly in charge of shooting the portraits in the reception studio), third assistant (an intern working for free in hopes of gaining experience or working up to a paid position.)

Click HERE to learn more about FINDING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about HIRING AN ASSISTANT
Click HERE to learn more about TRAINING AN ASSISTANT (You’re on this page!)
Click HERE to learn more about FIRING AN ASSISTANT

Click HERE to go back to the beginning of this discussion.

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Photo Studio Practice: Firing an Assistant

Jen — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:22:59 +0000

Here are 5 tips on firing your assistant:

1. For Production assistants it is easy: don’t ask them back for your next job.

2. For Studio assistants you will have to sit down with them and actually tell them they are no longer needed. Be honest. Do not tell them a lie or give them an excuse. It will make you look like (and actually BE) a weak business owner. It is kind of like breaking up with someone. You may wish to give them constructive criticism on why you are letting them go and how they can improve, however I think it is best to just let them go by telling them it is not working out and move on. Don’t drag it out.

3. End things on a positive note. Remember, every connection you make is still a connection and you do not want ANYONE having a bad taste in their mouth about you or your business. It is bad for business.

4. Sometimes you have to let them go because you do not have enough work. This is fine but only if it is true. You would look like a louse if you let them go and then they found out you were looking for someone again.

5. Finalize your work agreement within 2 weeks. If you owe them money, pay them right away. If you owe them trade time, get it done within 2 weeks. If for some reason you cannot complete the trade within 2 weeks, give them an end date that it must be completed by.

Click HERE to go back to the beginning of this discussion.

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer, Jen O’Sullivan is a boutique wedding photographer who specializes in portrait journalism.

Jen O’Sullivan Boutique Wedding Photography | 357 South Robertson Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90211 | 310-494-6547

Assistant Wages

Jen — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:54:08 +0000

If you are hiring an assistant or want to become an assistant, the largest area of confusion is in the pay scale. There are two ways things can go:

1. The assistant will use the principal shooter’s cards during the event. The assistant will have absolutely no usage rights what so ever. Many times they will not ever see their own work. (Some shooters will give a disc to the assistant as a courtesy but will require that the images never be used for their own promotion.) This is how many of the higher end shooters work. If this is how they operate the assistant will need to be paid more. Anywhere from $50 to $125 per hour or just a flat day rate of around $800-900+ depending on the ability and talent of the hired assistant.

2. If the principal shooter is giving the assistant usage rights (the principal will still own the copyright, but the assistant will be able to use the photos for their own promotion) then the assistant will use their own cards and the principal should have a hard drive at the wedding to copy the assistant’s files. In this scenario the assistant will make less. Average $15/hr to $30/hr again, depending on the ability and talent of the hired assistant.

This is what is common practice, however there are assistant who still get paid less or even nothing and still do not get to use the work because the principal views it as free on-the-job training for the assistant. I do not feel this is fair because anyone who has ever worked a wedding knows how much actual work it is. The way I do things for new assistants wanting to work with me is For new assistants wanting to work with me I have a teaching system set up for their first time. They assist for free the first time and then get a one hour lesson after the wedding to go over everything: how they did, what they need to improve on, etc. If I feel they have potential then they will get hired on at $15/hr, then we go from there.

The flip side is also true. I know of some shooters who pay their assistants really well and also give them usage rights. These shooters are hard to find and it is usually when higher end shooters hire each other as assistants for big high paying events. Then the client is getting two studios that are working together and one is the principal while the other gets to “play” artistically at the event and still get paid. This shooter will also hold the rights to their photographs.

It can all get tricky, so pick a method that works for you. If you are an assistant who has a base price in mind, be prepared to not get call backs if that price is too high. If you are trying to beef up your portfolio make sure you ask the principal shooter if you will have usage rights BEFORE you work with them. You may be willing to work for free just to get some weddings under your belt, but always get usage rights. Remember, the studio that hires you has the actual copyright to your work, but you can always negotiate limited usage rights with them.