Behind-The-Scenes Images Reveal the Secret Life of Photography Assistants

It can take a village to craft a photoshoot. Photographers often get all the glory, but their tireless, camera-less assistants also play an integral part in making the magic happen. They’re seen holding giant reflective sheets, primping their subjects, or in some cases, going to extreme heights—all in the hopes of getting that perfect shot.

Wedding photography is known for its glamorous portraits of couples in love. The enchanting images look effortlessly composed as newlyweds lay in a field or kiss under an umbrella during a gentle rain shower. In reality, however, there’s a lot of work in getting these photos to look just right. One assistant acts as a “ladder” for a photographer to perch on their shoulders. Meanwhile, another aide pours a cup of water onto an umbrella to simulate rainfall—all while staying out of the frame.

We Share, a Thailand-based Facebook page, recently featured a selection of photographs that showcase the secret life of these photography assistants. Check out the impressive logistical ingenuity, below.

We Share: Facebook
via [Bokeh]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
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