Surrounded by nine computers, fifteen strobes and more light stands than you can shake a tripod at, I’ve been daydreaming. The dreams have been about what it would take to create a “bare minimum” photo business. Sometimes you grow a business and look around and one day the idea of paring things down sounds appealing.
Starting tomorrow we’ll be looking inside …

Today I was thinking of a photo shoot I once did for a top manufacturer of motocross (motorcycle) clothing. They paid me to attend a race and photograph their star rider in racing action wearing brand new gear they were about to release. Rather than photograph the rider on a closed course, I was hired to photograph him in peak …

If you started with prophotolife at the very beginning you might remember that one of the specific reasons I started this blog was to help young photo assistants / aspiring photographers. Some of the earliest entries here were on the subject of starting out as a photo assistant. Tonight I’ve compiled nine of those assisting entries into a downloadable PDF …

thirty seven s…
volume 1 2006
By Jim Talkington

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In 2006 I started a photo blog and decided to publish a photo a day. There was a definite purpose to this. No, it wasn’t so much to get my work seen by a bunch of people, it was so I would commit to creating new work. …

1981: first SLR, Nikon EM

You all remember your first real camera, I know you do. The way it felt in your hand and what it looked like through the viewfinder. Maybe you’re still using your first real camera. If you’re a young photographer that’s considering photography as a profession then I’d like to take you on a little trip.

There are …

An introduction to my favorite basic lighting equipment including the “stick in a can” and simple clamp lights from a hardware store.

Let’s use some very simple lighting to shoot glassware in the studio:

As a freelance photo assistant you’re in business for yourself. This means that after you work for a photographer / studio you will be billing them for your services. And, generally speaking, there will be no payroll services or taxes taken out by the studio, the responsibility for paying taxes on this income is your responsibility.
Pay rates for the Cincinnati …

Though it was many years ago, I still remember my first days of photo assisting. You may feel like your entire career hinges on doing a great job that first day you work in a studio. Each individual studio will set their expectations slightly differently. Here’s how you should prepare:
1. Make sure you are there a few minutes early. Plan …

When you interview with a photographer about freelance assisting it is customary to bring a portfolio. That lets the photographer better understand your particular interests and level of accomplishment. Earlier we talked about displaying professionalism and passion. These qualities should be obvious in your portfolio. You will score bonus points for being neatly organized and having a uniform presentation. Make …