Oh, Craigslist. Oh, Tony Florez.

Date: 2008-03-19, 10:42PM PDT

I am going to pick one person that will be able to assist me on a 2
day photography shoot for a featured fashion spread to run in Southern
California in May 2008. The dates are April 3-4 2008. You will be
learning how I light my fashion images and all the behind the scenes
that goes into making my pictures. The person I pick will pay $800.00
to Tony Florez Photography for the opportunity to work side by side
with me.
You must be very responsible and take good direction. I want
someone serious that wants to advance their skills to a much higher
level. This is a great chance for someone to learn right next to one
of the best photographers around.
Please email to me why you think you should be picked for this
assignment. My email address is [redacted]

website: http://www.tonyflorez.com
only emails will be accepted
Student cost is $800.00 to be my personal assistant for 2 days.
It is going to be an amazing experience !!!

location: Orange County
Compensation: Student will pay Tony Florez Photography $800.00 to be
the assistant for 2 full days of shooting
Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or
commercial interests.

PostingID: 612216950

yeah.

Thanks, Joel.

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There are 23 comments for this article
  1. anon at 1:54 pm

    WOW! what an opportunity. I hope he picks me! maybe I can finally learn to blow out all my highlights and apply all those kool Photoshop filters I’ve been dying to try out!!!

  2. rachel green at 3:29 pm

    I don’t think anyone thought of this, but perhaps controversy was his m.o. I’ve actually worked for him a few times last year and the guy was amazing. He likes hype, and I don’t think controversy was an issue for him. I wish I were of his caliber, and wonder if you guys really are…just trying to see both sides of the coin guys. He’s really successful, I know that Rach

  3. andrea at 3:37 pm

    Hey guys…me too…sorry…I took his seminar a few years ago..the guy knocked my socks off with his style and totally different approach…he helped me change so many things that I was doing wrong and upped my sales considerably! Andrea

  4. mel at 6:35 pm

    Me too guys, sorry total fan here. I found this guy to be a totally hot teacher and amazing photographer. I agree this seems to be an out there means of getting an asst…but have to say it was his off beat way of shooting, doing different stuff than the whole pack, that brought me to him for advice. Not sure why there is so much venom being spiilled over it..I mean..who really cares..the guy knows what he’s doing and he’s probably laughing all the way to the bank…. I’ve got better uses for my energy than to dwell and spew over someone else mel

  5. jeff the man at 6:41 pm

    whoa…. wtf is right? But hey, this guy is killer… I’ve applied to work with him. Didn’t get it bcause I was still a newbie, but man, he knows his shit. I still think he’s top dog jeff

  6. Matt Giraffe at 5:25 am

    Dear Mr Florez, I read your ad offering the opportunity to work with you with great interest. You have always been one of my favorite photographers and I have been taking photos of your house from your driveway at night for many years. This has allowed me to build a strong skill set in the areas of low light and residential photography. However I have had great difficulty in taking fashionable photos of my mother and other family members. Whilst my tasteful nude photos came out well enough to be included in the family photo album, I had great difficulty taking photos that illicit emotion and connection in any of her last 4 weddings. I anticipate that at least half of the problem was that I was not wearing all black with a beret at the time, however now that I have myself a modest collection of berets, I feel I am willing to take the next step. I feel also that I can learn a great deal from you about the photography business. The idea of having your assistants pay you is absolute genius, not only do you get paid 100 dollars for the shoot, but you could hire 8 assistants who would each pay you 400 dollars each just to be there! With that many assistants any subject would be an absolute fool to question the quality of your work and you would walk away with a cool 1000 dollars or something. Even if I don’t make it in photography, and I will because I will be your assistant and you will teach me how to be a photographer, I could make a great deal of money just by having assistants pay me to follow me around and make me feel important. Brilliant! It is about time we really put the sword to fairness and equity in the photographic industry anyway. I don’t think ANY assistants should ever be paid. Infact, perhaps you would like to pay me 800 dollars to take my photo for a few hours on April 6, that’s my birthday, you can photograph me in my birthday suit. Thank you for choosing me as your assistant and I’ll wait outside your home on the 3rd. Regards, Matt Giraffe

  7. Ian at 10:27 am

    It was only a matter of time, really. Most people now already want us to assist for free. When I worked construction, assistants and students were required to be paid by law, but in the arts, of course, we should be happy that we just have the glorious opportunity to learn (even though we’re already getting in 30,000 dollars of debt each year to learn at college).

  8. matt z at 12:31 pm

    Wow…is this jealousy disguised as hatred? what a lot of venom towards a guy who has totally changed my career. I think most of us would give anything to have his business savvy and style. He gave me lessons 2 yrs ago and I was since able to quit my job to do what I love…take pictures. Say what you want, but man if you can make a living from it I say Go for it man. Compared to the other egos in Orange county, this guy is friendly, charismatic and the best teacher I’ve had. Wish he’d shot my wedding- that’s for sure Matt Z Los Angeles

  9. Ian at 6:27 pm

    Oh yeah? I’d give anything to have his style? Maybe he is a very successful businessman and a good teacher, I don’t know. This certainly seems like a businessman move. But in terms of artistic intent, aesthetic sensibility, and technical skill I do NOT envy him and would never want to be in his place. I’m not interested in that kind of work, I’m not interested in that kind of photography, and I’m DEFINITELY NOT INTERESTED in this man’s business ethics. I think it’s horrible to ask someone to pay for working for you. I’ve been asked to pay for my own transportation to internships, my own lunch, my own room and board while making nothing every day from 9-5 and I’m sick of that… if this guy thinks that I am going to pay him… and then do any work for him.. well, I’d never. And I’m not afraid to say it publicly. This industry is sick, and we’re eating ourselves from the inside with this shit. You want me to work for you, you gain something too. At least admit it and pay for my damn lunch.

  10. matt s at 4:00 pm

    Matt z, are you serious? this is criminal. pay some dude to watch him work? he is taking advantage. don’t you see that? He is getting paid for an assistant and keeping that money and then taking the poor assistants money?? you don’t see anything wrong with that?

  11. photo editor at 4:35 pm

    This is awful. Especially all those “photographers” defending Tony. If you paid to go to one of his seminars, great. I have no problem paying to receive an education. However, it is absolutely deplorable that Tony is demanding payment for labor. I would NEVER hire him.

  12. Tony Florez at 6:45 pm

    Hi Everyone !! Than you for all your feed back !!! I totally understand all your different points of view !! How to see some of you in Phoenix Az next week for my seminar !! All the best !!!! Tony Florez

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