Everywhere we look we see images of beautiful women wearing the latest fashion, dressed from head to toe in the hottest looks from the catwalks of the world. These are the fashion models of today and tomorrow. These slick images surround us, but who creates these lasting impressions of cool? Who takes the time to study the art of capturing style and depth to produce a completely unique look with every image? Who else, but the fashion photographer.
In the fashion world names like David LaChapelle and Jill Greenberg are just as in-demand as the top fashion models that dominate the visual media. Fashion photographers are a subtle brand of celebrity, walking a delicate line between artist and industry professional.
The glamorous lifestyle may be the outsider’s perception of fashion photography, but reaching success is a truly testing process. This profession is ruthless, and without the focus of strength to persist, the competition will throw you to the side. With every famous photographer there are thousands of others earning nothing from their trade.
To get started in this competitive field you must obsessively study your craft. You can never stop learning, so keep absorbing everything you find, especially in fashion magazines. There are fantastic resources on the internet. You can find books on the subject at Amazon.com. The basic equipment you will need to start out is a good camera, some standard lighting equipment and a tripod. On any shoot, make sure you have extra film so you don’t have to interrupt your flow. Research the different types of cameras and the unique looks they produce, as your choice of camera will affect the look of your work.
Having a great portfolio to show off your work is vital to success. Have at least 20 photos in it to give you room to show off your skill in producing a range of styles. Developing photographs in the 4×5″ format is the best way to display your work. If your work is in a publication, use that as well. If you are having trouble getting any of these, a good quality 8×10″ will suffice. Make sure you show your ability to take photographs of different aspects of the human figure. A full figure photo with character will take you a long way.
It is important to remember that jewellery is a part of fashion, so a partial body shot, for example a shot of a wrist watch on a well-formed wrist can be a good photograph to have. Make several copies of your portfolio and always have a few with you. When applying for a job, this will allow you to leave your portfolio behind without hindering you.
Having an online presence is becoming an important part of fashion photography. Setting up a website with your portfolio on it could be the key to your success. Research ways to promote your website, such as entering online competitions and participating in online fashion forums.
What fashion editors are really looking for is a unique character in your photographs. Every photographer captures different images. It is a good idea to learn about your art to improve your technical skills. This will give you greater freedom to express your vision.To succeed at this, you must be persistent, so don’t give up if this is your dream and never stop learning.
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