When a photographer goes to each and every job, their income, reputation and standing is put on the line, not only for that client, but everyone that that client knows.
What can you do to convince the photographers that you'd like to work with not only that you'll be helpful, but that you pose no risk to them whatsoever?
Also, emails and phone calls just annoy most photographers. Find ways to meet photographers in person.
Many photographers do work alone. A lot of the time, especially for 'social' photographers - family portraits, weddings etc, working alone makes a lot of sense. If you want a job doing properly... and all that. Commercial photographers who typically work for bigger corporate clients and use more and more sophisticated equipment tend to have more of a need for an assistant. Many will even use not terribly paid freelance assistants - with expert technical knowledge of basically all modern camera and lighting systems, as well as experience on set and in 'getting things done'. As well as being a photographer, I'm also one of these freelance assistants. It's good, but hard work and requires really quite a lot of experience.
Helping out for free is not a unique selling point, that alone will not get you assisting. In fact, many photographers will rather pay someone who's reliable and proven than take on a new work experience person every other week.
Most photographers don't have a 'set' work schedule - some studio photographers are probably the exception here (and they probably don't really need an assistant), so offering for a 'couple of days a week' isn't the right way to go about it.
Find photographers. Ideally ones who use lighting. Have some work that's in a similar field to them that you can (informally) chat about. Show that you're ok socially and can talk to people. Ask if you could possibly spend a day with them. Go from there.
If you're writing to people using the level of spelling and grammar that you are demonstrating in this thread it won't be sending a good impression. It suggests you're either thick, can't be bothered taking the time to check what you've written or both and they're not desirable qualities.
Presentation counts for a great deal.
I don't like people being -overly- picky about this - but yes, it is very true.
Everything from a handshake (firm but not too firm) to how you dress, to the thickness of the card stock of your business cards, people judge everyone all the time, even subconsciously. You want to fit the right mental image. A key attribute of being an assistant is fine attention to detail, and while I appreciate that this thread isn't your CV, it would suggest a lack of it. Take your time
