Assistant photographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Assistant photographer in details. A complete job description concludes Assistant photographer key duties/responsibilities, Assistant photographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Assistant photographer duties:

1. Set up and break down of sets
2. Taking set field notes
3. Maintain equipment upkeep
4. Keep the photo studio organized and clean
5. Keep the seamless area organized and uncluttered
6. Assist web producer with the ordering of studio expendables; seamless, gaffer's tape, etc.
7. Keep a log of how many rolls of seamless and what colors we have in the studio
8. Steam and help photographers with styling when needed for flat and vintage images
9. Help with packing and unpacking equipment for on location shoots
10. Update MTS for photographers when needed
11. Possibly minor digital teching and shooting when needed

II. List of Assistant photographer qualifications

1. Ability to work as part of a team
2. Experience in a studio environment
3. Excellent written and oral communication
4. Proactive problem solving, both technically and creatively
5. Basic knowledge of photography and equipment
6. Knowledge of Profoto and Cannon digital equipment is a plus
7. Must have prior photography assisting experience
8. Knowledge of Photoshop and Capture One is a plus
9. Must have a strong work ethic and a positive attitude
10. Must have strong communication skills
11. Interest is fashion and brand appropriate photography is a plus

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.