r/Photoassistants

I kept seeing posts about wanted to work as a photo assistant and/or digitech in NY, LA, or else but I hate to say this: You are in the worst period of time and there is no hope.

Since 2020, the industry was never been fine instead of getting worst especially with AI. Many PA and DT already struggled with finding new jobs in order to live in LA or NY while only top 10% can barely survive. Many clients are tightening their budgets while lowballing our rates. Many production studios are shrinking or even disappeared which is a sad fact.

The market is tiny right now and you can only find lowballing jobs which you cant even pay off your monthly rent. Full time? You gonna work like a slave which you wont gonna get a lot of payments.

Some may disagree but doesn't change the fact that the industry is shrinking and clients aren't spending money instead of start focusing on AI which will only get worse. I'm sure you already know that if you are working as a PA or DT cause everything is too slow and only a few will manage to get enough jobs or payment to live.

At this point, I highly NOT recommend getting into PA and DT markets unless you have other jobs to do. Even photographers are struggling with slow industries so I doubt that it's gonna be better instead of getting worse.

I warned you and it's up to you to decide.

after too much troubles with lost connections (USB) and even being locked out during a shooting because no Wifi was available I am looking for an alternative to C1 mobile. for some jobs the iPad is perfect and I don´t want to go back to the MBP but there are not many software options for tethering available. the one which looks promising is cascable does any one have experience with this software or are there better alternatives ?

I have some 8x8 and 12x12 rags that are have some crap on them from lots of use and a few that have a small rip here or there (mostly at the seam).

Is there somewhere i can take them to get cleaned and repaired? Is it crazy to think that maybe a regular laundry mat could clean a 12x12? lol

I've got a small travel job coming up - What is the normal practice for billing when travel is on the same day.

My assumption is:

Travel day evening flight - half day rate.
Shoot day (10hrs) portal to portal - normal rate.
Travel in the evening same day, is that as OT (and do you include airport/flying/back to home etc) or just a simple half day?

transit to airport expenses covered, no gear rental on travel days.

Anyone come across a decent one or come up with a good DIY solution?

Watching clients squint while looking at the iPad isn’t ideal.

Thanks

Maybe this has already been posted but I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on necessary/helpful (possibly gate-kept) apps, software, and the like? Shout out to Faini Made for some of the incredibly helpful recourses. I’m just curious if there are any others I may be missing for my kit?

Hi Everyone! I’m new to the Digitech space and curious to know what are common exporting recipes that are industry standard? Also, how do you export client selects? Any detailed information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Has anyone tested the '2nd generation wireless tether' in Capture One 16.8? (R5II or R1). From where I'm sitting it seems like a very logical step in development of a potentially workable wireless tether but I'm curious how it is in practice.

I’m curious how other people see the future of physical studios. Do you think many studios will downsize as more work can be done with help of digital/hybrid workflows? Or will studios shift more toward video, social media content, podcasts, livestreams, and becoming general content production spaces? Personally I shoot mainly products and see our need for a big studio size is going down.

Do you think the overall number of photo studios will shrink? And for B2B studios, does it make sense to rent out the space when it’s not being used, or is that usually more hassle than it’s worth?

Interested to hear from people who run, rent, or regularly work in studios.

Hello.

I just wanted to get an idea of which mirrorless cameras have been reliable on shoots, based on your experiences.

I used to be an assistant for 7+ years, so I know that Murphy's Law is a thing on set, so there's no one-above-all answer to this question. (I remember from 2010-2018, I used to hate Phase One IQ backs because of their proprietary FireWire-esque cables and how they would act up from the slightest nudge when tethered.)

The reason I ask is that I've come to a point in my career where a camera upgrade to full frame or medium format is inevitable.

So here are the cameras I'm looking at, but not limited to:
Canon R5 Mark II
Nikon Z7 II or Z8
Fujifilm GFX 100S II

For context:
I'm trying to avoid purchasing a camera with too many quirks and annoyances that would be difficult to deal with day to day, whether I'm tethered or not. My current camera system doesn't matter. (It's an old Fujifilm APS-C.) I can sell everything locally to change systems if it comes to that. Autofocus speed also doesn't matter to me as I shoot architecture and interiors. I'm just really looking for a reliable mirrorless camera.

Appreciate all your responses.

Hey, just putting together a digi plate setup having had enough of my Seaport. I am wondering if anybody has a good suggestion to transport a digi plate safely in some sort of soft case (not a peli), such as a backpack or shoulder bag? All it would need to hold is the plate itself, hood and maybe a couple of pouches with accessories. Maybe the actual laptop in a protective case next to it. Any recommendations or thoughts are much appreciated. Thank you.

I’ve worked a handful of gigs but looking to find more consistent work. Any insight is helpful. Thanks!

I’ve got some family portraits coming up and I’d love to avoid stands and umbrellas outside. Is anyone familiar w the Profoto 2’ Octa? Do these only attach w the magnetic ring? Is there anything more secure or similar available? I’ll be shooting corded, handheld. Thx!

Hey,

I would like to make some diffusion screens of custom lengths and shapes. I can not find an easy way to purchase diffusion material in big sizes that's not already manufactured as a diffusion screen made for a frame. Those are obviously a bit expensive.
I would like to find cheaper material than just buying a brand new 12x12 to cut my shapes.

I live in Europe and would love not to have to order overseas for this project.

Going down the “I need a new monitor” rabbit hole again. I had BENQs — fine, reliable, everyone still says “why does your laptop look better?” Looked at EIZO too but it just feels like an even more expensive BENQ and I don’t print or need it to be THAT accurate.

What else is actually good in 2026?

I don’t need reference monitor accuracy. I want something that looks great. Bright, punchy, contrasty, nice blacks, pleasing to look at all day. Something clients won’t notice.

LG UltraFine? ASUS ProArt? Something OLED? Mini LED?

Curious what people here actually love using that aren’t the above.

I’m looking for a magic arm to hold an iPad Pro mounted in an Accsoon Power Cage on my MULE DigiPlate, in situations where I don’t want to mount the iPad on a separate tripod. ¿Any suggestions?