looking for a wedding assistant

[RobMitchell]

......

(been reminded why I don't post to BD anymore)

[theokus]

As the topic says..

I'm looking for an assistant to help on the 26th Sept.
Someone with a driving license, reliable, good concentration and willing to work. pass equipment, hold flashes, bounce screens, etc, etc. Enthusiasm is a must.

It'll be a long day of course, so it goes without saying that food and drink are included.

To be clear though, I'm not looking for a second shooter for this occasion, but it's an opportunity for any keep amateur to see how it all happens. Fun and learning can be assured.

If anyone is interested, please contact me asap with a phone number and contact details.

Thanks,
Rob.

You are clearly living in a different world.

[RobMitchell]

You are clearly living in a different world.

<sigh>
no, very much the real one.
I knew I shouldn't have bothered posting it on this forum..
Thanks for reminding me why.

[theokus]

<sigh>
no, very much the real one.
I knew I shouldn't have bothered posting it on this forum..
Thanks for reminding me why.

Rob

Please read your own signature:

Beroep
I make photos for €

[RobMitchell]

Rob

Please read your own signature:

Beroep
I make photos for €

and?.... your point is?

So a professional photographer isn't welcome here?
No problem.

[theokus]

and?.... your point is?

So a professional photographer isn't welcome here?
No problem.

Maybe I was too hasty
I was talking with your wanted assistent in mind.

[geertvandenbroeck]

there are more than enough people that would like to walk around with a pro on a wedding day.

some little known facts:
1. I never pay my wedding assistants;
2. all of my collegues that I ever asked about this never pay assistants;
3. sometimes my assistants are non-payed pros holding the sunbounce and installing flashes. I compensate them by doing the same when they need an assistant and I have a weekend without bookings.
4. eventually, when the assistant is a would-be or starting pro, I allow him/her to make some images for his portfolio.

We all learn from each other, that's the most important part.
If you're afraid to lose business by teaching skills to others, then you're maybe not confident enough as a photographer. Also make clear what an assistant is expected and allowed to do and there's no problem:
- no handing out of business cards or self-promotion
- operate in your name
- share images for the wedding album (I request about 10 images to have some different angles or great shots that I maybe didn't see, it happens...). I only ask basic editing of these images so I can apply my personal style on them.
- dress up



@trebs: I'm busy on the 26th. Wedding season is a full force at the moment!

G

[RobMitchell]

there are more than enough people that would like to walk around with a pro on a wedding day.

some little known facts:
1. I never pay my wedding assistants;
2. all of my collegues that I ever asked about this never pay assistants;
3. sometimes my assistants are non-payed pros holding the sunbounce and installing flashes. I compensate them by doing the same when they need an assistant and I have a weekend without bookings.
4. eventually, when the assistant is a would-be or starting pro, I allow him/her to make some images for his portfolio.

We all learn from each other, that's the most important part.
If you're afraid to lose business by teaching skills to others, then you're maybe not confident enough as a photographer. Also make clear what an assistant is expected and allowed to do and there's no problem:
- no handing out of business cards or self-promotion
- operate in your name
- share images for the wedding album (I request about 10 images to have some different angles or great shots that I maybe didn't see, it happens...). I only ask basic editing of these images so I can apply my personal style on them.
- dress up



@trebs: I'm busy on the 26th. Wedding season is a full force at the moment!

G

Geert, exactly.
Real world practice, correct, professional and rewarding to all who take part.

To those who have and will contact me, I thank you in advance for you offers and enthusiasm. I will get back to everyone very shortly.

With respect for those who have respect.
Rob.

[Sultana]

Don't worry Rob, certain people do need a reality check of their own.
I do ventilate my opinion here also from time to time and not everyone else needs to be agree with me but I do get crancky when people feel the urge in reacting to all posts written on this forum, and I do mean all of them (what chit chat concerns) with texts not written by themselves or just blunt statements.
Today or tomorrow I get my new lens and will be out shooting again and can only advice this to some other people also.

For the rest, keep on posting Rob.

[TommyG]

I would be super happy with a chance like this, and I really like the fact that you post it here... Don't worry about those old time winers!

[paly]

You are clearly living in a different world.

Snap ik niet.

some little known facts:
1. I never pay my wedding assistants;
2. all of my collegues that I ever asked about this never pay assistants;
3. sometimes my assistants are non-payed pros holding the sunbounce and installing flashes. I compensate them by doing the same when they need an assistant and I have a weekend without bookings.
4. eventually, when the assistant is a would-be or starting pro, I allow him/her to make some images for his portfolio.

We all learn from each other, that's the most important part.
If you're afraid to lose business by teaching skills to others, then you're maybe not confident enough as a photographer. Also make clear what an assistant is expected and allowed to do and there's no problem:
- no handing out of business cards or self-promotion
- operate in your name
- share images for the wedding album (I request about 10 images to have some different angles or great shots that I maybe didn't see, it happens...). I only ask basic editing of these images so I can apply my personal style on them.
- dress up



@trebs: I'm busy on the 26th. Wedding season is a full force at the moment!

G

Mee eens.

[35a]

Volgens mij was iederéén die tot nu toe hier postte in staat om dat in het Nederlands te doen.

Waarom het Engels gebruiken ?

[TommyG]

Och jongen toch... De originele post was in het Engels, en de TS is Engelstalig, dus wat is het probleem? Ik krijg het op mijn heupen van die taalpuristen... Als je niet tegen Engels kan blijf dan van het internet en van computers in het algemeen...

[35a]

Ikke een taalpurist ? 't Zou best eens kunnen, TommyG !

Maar geef me eens 1 goeie reden waarom iedereen hier het Engels aanhoudt !

Ik krijg de indruk dat het bewust wordt gedaan om een afstandje te scheppen. 2 Websites heb ik bezocht (Die van de starter én die van jou. Schit-te-ren-de foto's overigens, op jouw site !) en wat lees ik ? JAWEL : Nederlands !

Waarom dan hier in het Engels ?
Geloof me : er zijn genoeg mensen die het Engels niét machtig (genoeg) zijn om te kunnen volgen. Er was éérst lezen en dàn "begrijpend lezen" ; als je je dat nog herinnert ?

Als het Vlaams of het Nederlands "jouw" taal is (ah ja, je gebruikt ze bijvoorbeeld op je site) ; welke reden kan je dan hebben om in het Engels te oreren ?

En dan heb ik het natuurlijk niét over jouw standpunt in de hele discussie want volgens mij hebben zowel de starter van de draad als jijzelf gelijk. Ten andere : het is ook maar een voorstel, elk moet voor zichzelf uitmaken of hij daar iets kan doen en (vooral) leren.

[Fotofolio]

Volgens mij was iederéén die tot nu toe hier postte in staat om dat in het Nederlands te doen.

Waarom het Engels gebruiken ?

Iets iesy, four te foureign visytors ei!

...

[Fotofolio]

2 Websites heb ik bezocht (Die van de starter én die van jou. Schit-te-ren-de foto's overigens, op jouw site !) en wat lees ik ? JAWEL : Nederlands !

Site van TS is in het Engels dacht ik?

[TommyG]

Ikke een taalpurist ? 't Zou best eens kunnen, TommyG !

Maar geef me eens 1 goeie reden waarom iedereen hier het Engels aanhoudt !

Ik krijg de indruk dat het bewust wordt gedaan om een afstandje te scheppen. 2 Websites heb ik bezocht (Die van de starter én die van jou. Schit-te-ren-de foto's overigens, op jouw site !) en wat lees ik ? JAWEL : Nederlands !

Waarom dan hier in het Engels ?
Geloof me : er zijn genoeg mensen die het Engels niét machtig (genoeg) zijn om te kunnen volgen. Er was éérst lezen en dàn "begrijpend lezen" ; als je je dat nog herinnert ?

Als het Vlaams of het Nederlands "jouw" taal is (ah ja, je gebruikt ze bijvoorbeeld op je site) ; welke reden kan je dan hebben om in het Engels te oreren ?

En dan heb ik het natuurlijk niét over jouw standpunt in de hele discussie want volgens mij hebben zowel de starter van de draad als jijzelf gelijk. Ten andere : het is ook maar een voorstel, elk moet voor zichzelf uitmaken of hij daar iets kan doen en (vooral) leren.

Euh, ik weet niet welke site jij van mij bezocht hebt, maar mijn site is in het Engels...

Als iemand mij een vraag stelt in het Engels of Frans dan ben ik gewoon zo beleefd om in die zelfde taal te antwoorden, zo simpel is het...

[Lucas1711]

Ikke een taalpurist ? 't Zou best eens kunnen, TommyG !

Maar geef me eens 1 goeie reden waarom iedereen hier het Engels aanhoudt !


.

hoffelijkheid oftewel "courtesy"

[RobMitchell]

Ikke een taalpurist ? 't Zou best eens kunnen, TommyG !

Maar geef me eens 1 goeie reden waarom iedereen hier het Engels aanhoudt !

Ik krijg de indruk dat het bewust wordt gedaan om een afstandje te scheppen. 2 Websites heb ik bezocht (Die van de starter én die van jou. Schit-te-ren-de foto's overigens, op jouw site !) en wat lees ik ? JAWEL : Nederlands !

Waarom dan hier in het Engels ?
Geloof me : er zijn genoeg mensen die het Engels niét machtig (genoeg) zijn om te kunnen volgen. Er was éérst lezen en dàn "begrijpend lezen" ; als je je dat nog herinnert ?

Als het Vlaams of het Nederlands "jouw" taal is (ah ja, je gebruikt ze bijvoorbeeld op je site) ; welke reden kan je dan hebben om in het Engels te oreren ?

En dan heb ik het natuurlijk niét over jouw standpunt in de hele discussie want volgens mij hebben zowel de starter van de draad als jijzelf gelijk. Ten andere : het is ook maar een voorstel, elk moet voor zichzelf uitmaken of hij daar iets kan doen en (vooral) leren.

Heb je iets zinvols te zeggen over het topic.. of alleen zever over mijn gebruik van het Engels?

huh?

[theokus]

Don't worry Rob, certain people do need a reality check of their own.
I do ventilate my opinion here also from time to time and not everyone else needs to be agree with me but I do get crancky when people feel the urge in reacting to all posts written on this forum, and I do mean all of them (what chit chat concerns) with texts not written by themselves or just blunt statements.
Today or tomorrow I get my new lens and will be out shooting again and can only advice this to some other people also.

For the rest, keep on posting Rob.

Tell me.
In for a penny, in for a pound.

[theokus]

there are more than enough people that would like to walk around with a pro on a wedding day.

some little known facts:
1. I never pay my wedding assistants;
2. all of my collegues that I ever asked about this never pay assistants;
3. sometimes my assistants are non-payed pros holding the sunbounce and installing flashes. I compensate them by doing the same when they need an assistant and I have a weekend without bookings.
4. eventually, when the assistant is a would-be or starting pro, I allow him/her to make some images for his portfolio.

We all learn from each other, that's the most important part.
If you're afraid to lose business by teaching skills to others, then you're maybe not confident enough as a photographer. Also make clear what an assistant is expected and allowed to do and there's no problem:
- no handing out of business cards or self-promotion
- operate in your name
- share images for the wedding album (I request about 10 images to have some different angles or great shots that I maybe didn't see, it happens...). I only ask basic editing of these images so I can apply my personal style on them.
- dress up

@trebs: I'm busy on the 26th. Wedding season is a full force at the moment!

G

Geert,

Als mijn Engels mij niet in steekt laat,
gaat het hier onder meer over respect, professionalisme,
"al jouw collega's die je het vroeg willen het zo".

Ik ga niet betwisten dat er mensen te vinden zijn die vol enthousiasme
een lange dag willen werken zonder betaling
Een sandwich met "Stilton" en een kopje thee zie ik
"in this case" niet direct als een
respectvolle beloning als het over eten gaat.
Alhoewel Stilton heerlijk kan smaken.

Persoonlijk vind ik dat hard werken en niks verdienen niet samen gaat.
En ik ga hier ook niet betwisten dat er mensen zijn die tevreden zijn met
hetgeen ze kunnen leren in plaats van betaald te worden in euro's.

Misschien wordt er onderhands nog iets geregeld?
En dit zou wel eens "professioneel" kunnen zijn, met veel respect
en dat een professional als normaal vindt?

En nu niet gaan denken dat ik niemand iets gun....

Trouwens Geert, ik heb ervaring.
En langs beide zijden: ik ben een paar keren meegegaan als "kijker".
En ik heb studenten kunnen helpen.
Alles op vrijwillige basis.
Plus ik kan het bewijzen met foto's.

[RobMitchell]

Ok, here's the score and maybe some issues cleared up too.

My name is Rob Mitchell. A bit of a clue there as to my origin. I am a British national who has been living in Belgium for 17 years. Almost half of my lifetime.
I have been here on BD in some form or other since 17th March 2004. Each and every post I have made has been in my mother tongue. Why? consider it a trade mark. Arrogant? maybe. That's how I have been from day one.

The truth is, I speak Dutch, well, Flemish. Not only that, but it's often been mentioned to me that I speak it better than some natives. I do not need subtitles like the news programmes need when they interview someone with a dialect.

I have integrated myself into this strange little country, or rather this division of the strange little country.. rather well I think, especially for a hard-necked Englishman, a species known for their strange characteristics, drinking and eating habits. Integration also means I have entrusted my work and business to the group of people that pretend to run this country. I pay my taxes and give blood to this nation. On the whole, it's a pleasure to live and work here. It's an easy place, (if you know the survival techniques needed)

So that's me. I'm a legal immigrant staying here on a residence permit, unable to vote because I remain a Brit, yet I do my part. The biggest part I did was being self-employed here. A nation that taxes tax and makes an honest living a very difficult thing to do unless you slot into the comfort zone of being an employee.

The one thing I hang on to, is talking English online. A habit, a trademark and a way for people to recognise me. Some run away, some stick around. Those who run, I never miss, those who stay all get a chance, as I do with them. Not once has that mentality been a bad thing for me.

Anyway, back onto this topic.

Yes, I am a photographer who is trying to make a living put of doing what I do, make photographs. Some say that is a bad thing, that people like me are ripping other off by charging money for something anybody with a digital camera can do. Others have a little respect.

I was very careful in my opening post. I made no mention of money, I was open and straight. My job is hard work, the compensation for that is hard earned. Learning my trade has taken a long time, cost a lot of money and mistakes. There have been countless topics on this forum about weddings, and all have been met with hostility. I am guilty myself for being hostile too, but I think as someone who does know a little of what I talk about, I sometimes have the right to air those thoughts too.
Anyway, I asked a rather simple question, to see if someone would care to come along and assist me... why? because alone, some weddings can be seriously hard work. Seeing that at first hand, the hard graft of this job is all about. I usually do them alone because I have had bad experience with assistants that are too busy trying to fill their own portfolio to actually assist. Right now I am suffering from a bad back, so out of need, I would be seriously grateful for someone to assist.
In return, that person will surely gain knowledge that cannot be bought. Experience that is so hard to gain in any other way than to be there, and see it..

Geert posted some points, very valuable and very accurate points. This is a trade, it's a job like another, it's not all glamour, it's work. I have no problem sharing that work or knowledge with people who appreciate it. In return, they too will be rewarded. It's a win win situation.

Again, to those people who have kindly offered their help, I am eternally grateful, some very nice words and very willing people out there. I will be contacting each and every one person to say that.
I have found someone to help me on the 26th but I will most certainly keep the contact details of all that have approached me. This is not the only wedding I have this year, or the next. All help is gratefull and I hope that everyone who has shown interest will remain interested and willing to help on further events.

Thank you.

Back to the language issue.. if there are people that do not like me posting in English, please do not waste your time posting. If you are really intested in what I say, PM me with a phone number and I'd happily call you and explain in the best possible Dutch I can manage.
To those who don't care.. why are you bothering reading this essay, get out and makes some photos!!

With respect,
Rob

[Fotofolio]

@theokus,

Ik krijg elke week minstens 2 mails van fotografen die graag eens een dag mee zouden gaan tijdens een fotoshoot ... (ongelooflijk hé).

Die mensen willen "gratis en voor niets" meehelpen om eens van dichtbij te zien hoe ik een commerciële opdracht uitvoer (bv. het maken van een kleding catalogus). Bij mijn weten is dit ook de enige manier voor hen om zo'n opdracht van dichtbij mee te maken. Tenzij jij voor die mensen een andere oplossing weet voor deze ervaring?

Ze willen dus een ganse dag "werken" voor een schouderklopje van mij als bedankje
Mocht ik op die mensen hun vraag ingaan, dan hoef ik onderhands niets te regelen hoor

@theokus, ik heb veel respect voor je dagelijkse input op BD maar laat het me toe te zeggen dat je in dit topic de nodige veld-ervaring mist om conclusies te trekken.

[bouk]

had het heel graag willen doen maar heb de volgende dag een feestje.

http://www.belgiumdigitallive.com/
grt,bouk.

[kodachrome]

Heb je iets zinvols te zeggen over het topic.. of alleen zever over mijn gebruik van het Engels?

huh?

Je haalt je inkomsten wel van de Vlaming dacht ik?
En daar geldt natuurlijk "geen Vlaams, geen centen" or isn't it????

Henri