When to Add an Assistant to a Studio Booking

An assistant costs less than the time lost when one person tries to light, style and shoot at once. Here is when the add-on pays for itself.

Add an assistant when the shot list has more than three lighting setups. Moving strobes and metering while the model waits burns the most expensive minutes of the day.

Product shoots with many SKUs benefit from a second pair of hands to steam, dust, position and log each item while the photographer keeps shooting.

Hybrid stills-and-video days need someone to manage audio, continuous light and battery changes so the creative lead can stay with the talent.

Solo photographers renting the cove for the first time get a faster start: the assistant knows the studio, the power and the gear, and handles the wrap.