fifty50 ,don't assist! Don't waste your time watching someone else do it,do it yourself.
It really isn't that hard,in any case the last thing to do if your'e thinking of working in fashion is to imitate anything that is already out there.The only real thing you can contribute is your individuality. Have the confidence to trust your own opinion.Personally I think it's a trap for a lot of young photographers.You have either got something to say or you haven't.Dressing it up in technique,lighting,etc won't make it interesting.

I agree with, La. Its OK for young blood to work assist with photographers, if you are older and have the drive and initiative, you apear to be lacking in motivation( not a negative its whast is coming across here) In order to make it you must have disiplin, drive, and pashiomn, you seem to have a lot of cross experience that some photographers are lacking, from working in fashion design so you know about the clothes and how to show them of.
I was thinking this morining, I did my college courses between 1990-1994 and worked in Television as well as developing my own body of work in creative photography with a view to producing art cards and prints as well as the in famous book I am aiming for, All the time after college has bean an investement of money and the time,living bellow the UK poverty line in order to be creative.
I will up set some people now by saying that the industry is agest and it is far easier to get in the T.V and other industries if you are young and good looking, we are the ones, in most cases with the sence of direction and a lot of experience.
SDo yes I have been moving in this direction nearly 20 years now and still would not do anything else, its my life, and it should be yours if its for you. When you talk about it to other people, they think thast it sounds highly glamourous, littal realising the sacrifices you take in order to get there, unless you are luck, so keep with it and sound, or be a luittal more directional and driven, buddy.

Just one last thing on this one mate. If its what you realy want, you must make each day count in your creative search, you know how time runs away with its self.

I know exactly what you mean fifty50, ive been assisting for about a year a half in london and trying to get in touch with photographers directly is a nightmare, i keep getting put on their agencies waiting list. Im dying to start shooting my own work but just cant afford it at the moment. How do people fund themselves until the paid jobs start coming in?

Not sure why you are trying to work with estabished photographers,at an older age you have more set ways of working, as a young guy, girl, you can act as a runner, and do other jobs related, but when older you may feel, more un confortable doing this, try and go it independantly and dont wait for it to come to you.
If you want to shoot enough you will find the money for it.
I dont drink, smoke,or have much of a social life outside photography, becouse I need to plough the money in to my work, as an independant,( if its for you,) people should be doing this at any age untill the time comes to enjoy the returns from their imput, or maby I am just unusuall on this one.

i'm assuming that he's talking about getting back in with the intention of becoming a professional, working, paid photographer (correct me if i'm wrong).
in that case working with top photographers that you admire (in one way or another) is crucial for contacts, experience on large jobs and money to carry on with your own career.
since you obviously need money to get started on your own, what better way then to assist a great photographer, learn and get paid.....beats most other things.
aim high and make a list of you favorite photographers and then mail a promo, follow up with a call and repeat.
there are a lot of people out there trying for these positions, so your best bet is to not allow them to forget about you....that is without driving them nuts.
also, knowledge of digital workflow is a huge asset these days....if you don't have it, it may be worth taking some classes.
make yourself desirable.

all this talk of assisting being a waste of time is b.s....those who treat it like a hobby will inevitably just have a hobby.

if you want to get to the top of the ladder you need to spend time with those who are already there.

Don't listen to cs ,fifty50,go on get out there and start taking your own pictures.Don't go hanging round the petticoats of other photographers who probably aren't even half as good as you could be,go on and get shooting.Is it more fun riding a bike or watching someone else ride one?

it's a bit difficult to tell from your rather sparse profile, but are you qualified to make that call...la? i'm guessing not. probably more like a someone who doesn't have the experience and is still in the "i don't need anyone, i'm an artist" stage of there life.

the idea is that you learn from a master and combine with what's you.
no ones saying that you can't go it on your own....it's just way harder.
assisting the right people can literally send you ahead years or perhaps somewhere you
wouldn't get without the proper exposure. oh, and since you have to earn some money anyway......
what the hell's wrong with that? just make sure it's assisting for the right people.
that's real word. lots of people here will give you the cozy/fuzzy advise to stick to your art and you'll make it happen on your own and that just taking pictures (like millions of others) will somehow lead to something.

if we are talking about commercial work, (ie. being paid well to do what you love) it's a business as well as an art/craft that you need to learn.

don't let the "everything will work itself out" crowd tell you how to break in because at least 9 times out of 10 they are just students/amateurs/hobbiests/wantabees and generally young enough to not know any better.

Thanks all. It's good to get some perspective. I think I've got a little bit of everything written above in me (it helped to get a check for a past shoot today).

I feel like I'm kind of positioned where CS is coming from. Since income seems to go up and down, when I have the ability to shoot the product needs to become more focused each time, and that takes more planning, and more thought about all the elements contributing to the image...especially since people are getting paid in pizza.

I agree that it is somewhat of a detour to work on someone elses creative vision, but if I respect the work that they are putting out, then I'd rather have my hands around lights, and cameras than anything else.

I have to say too that there is something to be said for exposure. It seems to me that people go with what they know as far as commercial photography goes, and if you are outside their periphery then....

From my observations, being a high end assistant can break this for you...especially if you have a good photographer pushing you. All of sudden you have access to stylists assistants of a similar breed, magazine folks, and clients. The danger I have seen most often is the non-shooting assistant, "What would I shoot when I know how to light everything?"

Anyway, before I rant on too much more. Thanks again everyone. It was good to have a look outside of the little box that sometimes seems the only view.

Also, I'd love to speak more to the digital side being an asset, but maybe in another post? Lots to speak about there.