What would be your advice for the top 5 things to do to try to get involved in fashion photography. Also I'd like to do more shoots myself but instead of just photographing models in there own clothes I'd like to know a good way to gain access to something a bit more classy, some designer gear that really stands out because it might be one of a kind, but I have no idea how to acquire these things.. any advice?
To be honest I’m still trying to figure most of that stuff out myself :)
I’d say the top 5 important things for me are:
1) Shoot with purpose. Don’t just arrange shoots and wing it on the day. Have an idea or concept in mind. Even if your end result looks completely different than you had imagined, you’ll find it makes a massive difference to the quality of your work.
2) Don’t get bogged down worrying about kit. It really isn’t important at all, push the equipment that you have as far as you can and use your money in other ways to help (website, business cards, printed portfolio, agency models etc)
3) Don’t buy ‘how to’ type books, buy fashion magazines. Study your favourite photos, examine the way they are lit, look at the eyes to see if you can see what sort of catch light the photographer used, and try and shoot from inspiration instead of a how to guide that makes your work look like everyone elses.
4) Make up and hair is REALLY important. Good make up and hair really takes your images to the next level. A make up artist knows how to prepare your model for s shoot better than the model knows how to prepare themselves.
5) You need to build up a reputation amongst other creatives before you have much reach with them. To pull clothes from amazing designers you need amazing stylist contacts. It’s hard to get these until you’ve got an impressive portfolio. In the meantime try and find student stylists who can pull from general stores and even student designers. Those with a good eye can create something amazing from high street brands.Â
And I’m adding in an extra one because it’s something I think is REALLY important.
6) Don’t pay much attention to other photographers opinions. You’ll find that most are really unhelpful and catty, they’ll try and belittle your work and fill you with nothing but self doubt. They’ll criticize your lighting, your concept, your vision, just about everything they can to make themselves feel superior. Do what feels true to you, if your work is genuine and you love creating it, it will show through even if you have the ‘wrong’ lighting or your models nose sticks out/up/down too much. Rules are made to be broken ;)
I don’t know if that was at all helpful, but I hope it was :) x
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