photographer who assisted

How do you go about becoming an assistant if you live in a city that does not have rental studios? What are some tips for networking in a rather small city if it is absolutely out of the cards to move to a large city? I am married with a child, so moving is out of the question. We live in the capitol city, but it’s smaller than any other ‘city’ in the state. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Droops,..so right in saying that! Photographers who have assisted before are usually (but not always) in my experience much better to work for. They just get it. They tend to have more technical and practical knowledge – and also aren’t stressing me out because I’m having to run around after them fixing up weird/dangerous little things they do that they haven’t told me about… all while being discreet about it so they don’t look silly in front of the client! Photographers who used to assist are also often faster, more practical and more organised.

“you have to be more attentive because they used to do what you do and probably better.” – that part is particularly true!!!

Having said that – I worked with a photographer who assisted for a long time and was one of the top assistants in our city while he was doing it. Once he started shooting, his expectations of his own assistants were so high and patience so diminished that he would honestly make me feel like a sack of crap while working for him. I don’t think he means bad… but I now understand that he probably assisted for way too long and just got really bitter and never quite recovered.
i have assisted for many years before i started shooting and can tell you this. most photographers, besides the upper tier, are lazy, indecisive, and lack confidence. i was constantly holding photographers hands cause they had no idea what they were doing, but just had good contacts. its unfortunate that photography allows for non creatives. unless you are steven klein or nick knight shut the fuck up and have fun. if its a bullshit job get through it, be professional, then go have fun. i pay my assistants very well and they are psyched and have a reason to problem solve with me. then we go out and party. its about having fun and going further then you think you can…