A visual explanation for visual folks on why you can’t not afford these workshops
Start Smart: The Business of Photo Assisting
Who is this workshop for?
Anyone interested in getting a leg up working as an assistant to commercial photographers. I share what I’ve learned through the School of Hard Knocks so you can be a smarter, better assistant and do smarter, better business as a freelancer.
Participants seated for the Start Smart presentation
“Jung is passionate about photography and her workshop was well-researched and well-presented! She went over many important topics, such as how to present oneself on set, how to have difficult conversations, and what to ask for when booking your first assistant gigs! She designed and included so many interactive activities where you’d pair up with another attendee and go over the worksheets. I got to practice the materials while meeting and networking with fellow photographers and assistants! I can tell she has poured her knowledge and heart into this workshop. If you are interested in assisting, taking this workshop is a step in the right direction!”
What does it cover?
Mindset: How to approach your work as an assistant including when you're starting out and as you progress in your career.
Marketing: How to get your foot in the door and keep that door open as long as you want.
Money matters: Learn what questions to ask when booking a job, what details to confirm, and generally accepted industry standards for pay, types of photo jobs, etc.
And more! Tips and insights from a working photographer and photo assistant who transitioned to this industry mid-career and is a woman of color. There will be time for Q&A throughout the workshop.
Interested in hands-on practice with photo grip in a studio setting? Sign up for both this and my Get a Grip clinic.
“Jung shared really good content for us aspiring photo assistants! It covered valuable tips on how to show up professionally, communicate better and ask the right questions and decide whether the job is the right fit or not! She also arranged exercises with other participants so we could network and absorb the information better! I really recommend this webinar for anyone planning on entering this field who needs the basics!”
Survey says: feedback from workshop attendees
What percentage of the information was new to you?
I can use this session information:
Post-workshop feedback from attendees, participation >86% - Updated Sep 2023
How is it structured?
New! Expanded from 4 to 5 hours to include more content and time for interactive exercised based on feedback from prior attendees.
In- person at Jettison Creative studio in the Design District of San Francisco (location shared once you are registered)
Slide presentation
Multiple breakouts to meet and connect with others in the field and to role play what you’re learning in the workshop
Time for Q&A
Interested in getting hands-on experience with industry standard gear? Sign up for both this and my Get a Grip: Hands-on Clinic.
Two participants role play during a Start Smart break out from the Spring 2022 workshop
Workshop Match Fund
I remember when I was starting out that I would not have been able to afford a workshop like this but that participating in a series like this would have been exactly what I wanted and needed to get a head start with my assisting game (which is why I developed these!) In order to make attending both workshops accessible, I’ve partnered with the local businesses listed in the sponsor section below to create a match scholarship fund. Here are the details:
There are a limited number of match scholarships available.
Applicants must register and pay for one workshop to hold their seat in that workshop in order to receive a scholarship application.
Applicants must submit a separate scholarship application.
Deadline to apply is Friday September 29th at noon. All applicants will be notified of their scholarship application decision by end of day Friday October 6th.
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their demonstrated level of need and the subjective merit of their responses.
If you are selected for a match scholarship, you will be enrolled in the second workshop. Your $250 for the workshop you registered for is matched by our sponsors for the second workshop.
If you cannot make the second workshop, the match scholarship will be awarded to someone else. The scholarship is not redeemable for cash value.
The Match Scholarship Fund was created for the benefit of participants who would not otherwise be able to attend both workshops. If you can afford to pay for the workshops, please leave the scholarship for those who need them the most.
Tell me more!
Currently this workshop is held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
This is an in-person event. Masks are optional. Safety measures may be enforced per the changing public health situation.
No refunds unless someone can replace you from the waitlist.
“I highly recommend Jung’s Class. It’s very informative. I especially liked how we were very interactive with surveys and role playing. My take homes were to be respectful and always have a battery charging station. It’s so cool that Jung is training the next generation. That is so generous of her. Thank you. I learned so very much! ”
Generously hosted and sponsored by
Thank you to our community sponsors who have contributed to the Match Scholarship Fund!
About the Instructor
Jung Fitzpatrick is an SF-based photographer who loves working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change makers. In a former life, Jung was a nonprofit strategic planning consultant. When she took the leap to pursue her dream of becoming a photographer, she attended City College of San Francisco for their great technical training in photo and video production.
Jung is also, at her core, an educator and loves empowering others to achieve their goals. She created this workshop because she wished she had known more about photo assisting when she started working in the industry. As the course creator and instructor, Jung shares 8 years of experience working on and around sets with photographers across roles as a studio manager, photo/production/styling assistant, Covid Compliance Officer, and sometimes model.
Participants at the Spring 2023 workshop hosted by Jettison Creative. Credit: Valeria de Barros.