Pursuing career in fashion photography is a good idea because it not only gives you a basis to move forward but also brings in complacency for your hobby. And tomorrow you may be one of the famous fashion photographer who will handle the affairs of photography for people who pursue a career in modeling and entertainment.
1. Finding and looking for inspiration
Some photographers find their inspiration in their dreams, others look at different sources like fine art for example. For me inspiration comes from everyday life. People passing by, a person sitting on the bus staring outside the window, a man running across the busy street jumping into a cab, a mannequin behind a shop window… All these are the sources of inspiration that create the moods and the atmosphere in my pictures.
2. Having a vision
This might sound quite cliché but having a vision of the image that you are trying to achieve is one of the crucial steps in order to create a good story or even just to shoot a simple portrait image. Some ideas might seem quite easy to portray but in reality they could be very difficult to photograph, as well as creating certain moods or expressions. My advice would be to really focus on the preparation before each shoot. Drawing a sketch of the frames that you have in mind or even creating a mood-board can be really helpful.
3. Finding and choosing models
Finding and choosing the right models to work with can be challenging. Getting the right look on the model is one of the most important factors, as it will reflect in the final work. When the model doesn’t have the right look then the whole effort and energy spent on the photoshoot can be a real waste of time, not only for you but for the whole of your team. Being very selective of who you work with, especially when it comes to shooting for your portfolio is crucial in order to achieve the highest possible image quality.A tip to find the right type of model is searching through good model agencies and seeing what type of faces they represent. Ideally you could start by doing test shoots with agency based models; however, do not be afraid to stop any potential faces even on the street.
4. Directing the model
When I work with new models who don’t have any experience, I try to focus on preparing them for the shoot. I talk to the model explaining what to do and how to feel their body, how to move,and try to describe the mood that I want for the shoot as best as possible. I also show them images or videos I collected for inspiration for that particular shoot. In the case of experienced models it is obviously easier and I just try to focus on the kind of atmosphere or mood that I am looking for during the shoot.
5. Working with a make-up artist
Fashion Photography should have a make-up artist to work alongside them in photo sessions with models. The basics of make-up for a female fashion photographer may be quite straightforward but for male fashion photographers not so much. I find quite important to understand at least the basics of make-up artistry, using simple techniques to achieve a certain look.
6. Networking and building a team
Finding the right people to work with can be quite challenging at the beginning. I find that networking is one of the most important aspects to move forward in this field and to get some recognition from people in the industry. This relates also to finding members for your team – make-up artists, hair stylists, wardrobe stylist, or designers. modelmanagement.com is a fantastic networking portal for fashion, photography and modelling. You can take advantage of the casting services, you can either search for new members to create a team, network or post castings when models are required. This will definitely help you to get in touch with people whom you might work with in the future, whilst also giving you great exposure among other professionals in the industry.
7. Cameras
To be honest, I am not really that fussed about constantly acquiring the latest photography gadget. I have always been a believer that is doesn’t really matter what type of camera you have but what you are able to do with it. As soon as you take the first step and start taking pictures with it, sooner or later you will come to realize what is needed next to get your skills and quality improved.8. Lighting
(read about Photography studio lighting techniques)I myself find it very challenging working with natural light. When I started working with artificial lights I learned more quickly the basic principles of working with light and shadow. Later I could apply these skills outdoor and start experimenting with natural light with the help of a diffuser and a reflector. I think it is best to start with one strobe with a reflector to learn the basic principles and later experiment by adding more and making it more complex to achieve different looks and atmospheres.
Miro is one of the fresh talents to emerge from the fashion capital. Things have been getting really exciting chez Miro recently, as this week he was busy at work shooting no other than Supermodel Naomi Cambell!!! – A dream for any fashion photographer. His images will be available soon at Glamour Magazine.
