How Do I Know It’s Time to Hire an Assistant?
You’re shooting four sessions a week, your inbox is overflowing, your editing queue is a mile long, and you’ve started missing texts from clients. You love this job, but let’s be honest: you’re doing the job of five people.
Sound familiar? That’s the sign.
It might be time to hire an assistant.
1. Signs You’re Ready
Hiring an assistant isn’t about being “too busy”—it’s about stewarding your creativity wisely.
Here’s how you know it might be time:
You’re spending more time maintaining the business than growing it
Important details are slipping through the cracks
You’re turning down shoots or opportunities
You feel resentful doing admin work
You haven’t had a full day off in weeks
If you want longevity in this field, support isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy.
2. What Kind of Assistant Do You Actually Need?
Assistants aren’t one-size-fits-all. You might need help in:
🗂 Admin / Studio Management
Answering emails
Scheduling
Managing contracts and invoices
🎞 Editing Support
Culling sessions
Applying presets
Exporting and uploading galleries
📸 On-Set / Shoot Day Help
Holding reflectors or gear
Assisting with posing
Coordinating timelines
🧠 Start by listing the tasks that drain your energy or delay delivery. Those are the first to delegate.
3. How to Hire (Without Settling)
You don’t need to rush the hire—but you do need to be clear.
Here’s how to approach it:
Write a real job description. Be specific about expectations, schedule, pay, and values.
Ask your network. Referrals from fellow creatives often lead to better matches than public posts.
Test before hiring. Consider a 2-week or one-shoot trial to see how they work under pressure.
Prioritize attitude over experience. Skills can be taught. Integrity and humility can’t.
4. Set the Relationship Up for Success
Hiring help only helps if you lead well. Here’s how:
Communicate clearly: Establish tools, timelines, and expectations from the start
Create a feedback loop: Ask what’s working and where they need clarity
Share the vision: Let them feel connected to the bigger mission, not just the task list
Honor them: Assistants aren’t beneath you—they’re beside you, helping you grow
Final Word: You Weren’t Meant to Build This Alone
Your clients don’t just pay you for a photo—they pay you for your presence, creativity, and care.
An assistant helps preserve that. Not because you’re too good to do the “small things,” but because you know your time is best spent where it brings the most value.
Hiring help isn’t about ego—it’s about capacity.
It’s how you go from burning out to building something that lasts.
