Sunday March 19th: 1 - 5 pm $250

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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!
— Xioafan Fang

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.

You will receive the presentation slide deck afterwards in e-mail.

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!
— Janeth Sanchez

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 = 76%


How is it structured?

  • New! Expanded from 3 to 4 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

  • 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

Two participants role play during a Start Smart break out from the Spring 2022 workshop

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. Proof of full Covid vaccination (at least two weeks past your second shot) is required. 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!
— Beth Brindle

Generously hosted and sponsored by

Thank you to our community sponsors!

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 6 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.