Thursday, February 26, 2009

What does a fashion photographer do?

When I was just beginning in fashion photography, I thought I need to style my own shoots - have shoes match clothes, etc.

I also thought that I should build a large network of creative people to be able to arrange shoots I needed.

While these are certainly useful skills to have, they are not really what most photographers are hired for. You may argue, but consider that styling can be done by a stylist, and shoot arrangements - by photography directors or assistants.

What are the things that can't happen without a photographer? I kept asking myself and others in the industry and here's what it came down to (for me; arranged by importance from top to the bottom):

- capturing the mood through various lighting techniques, angles and composition;

- directing the model. You should get a hold on techniques that will help them relax or otherwise. While art directors can arrange everything including the pose, it's still necessary to communicate to model to be able to capture the best of her. And most of the times - there's no director, and you need to do all poses and expressions by yourself, and that ads to the pressure;

- shoot a lot - developing your style is important - that's how you'll stand out in the competition;

- since most fashion photographers don't like it when someone else retouches their shots - you need to be able to do that well too;

- stay organized and focused. Once you start shooting - you're the one who can tell when it's over. All these people involved - depend on you to get the work done. Good time management is also the key in pre- and post- production phases, as well as dealing with your business daily;

- have a sense of style. You have got to love clothes, be able to notice clothes and ... love clothes. That's why you're a fashion photographer :);

And all other things come in as necessary. You have GOT to know people, so get out there with your portfolio and promote yourself - A LOT. It'll probably take the most of your time at first, so don't get disappointed :).

1 comment:

  1. It is a lot of work when you're starting because everything is got to be done by you basically.

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