Starting your Career in Fashion Photography by Dan Feildman
They are all around us. On posters, on television, in magazines. Ultra-thin models strutting along the runways of London, New York and Milan wearing the latest items from today’s designers. Their petite figures and constant pouting are all around us. But who captures these images that completely surround us and tell us how to look? These images are the products of years of experience and study, manipulating the light and colour while considering the compostition to produce the most attractive images possible to display new fashion. They are the products of the fashion photographer.
Names like Michael Muller and Patrick Demarchelier are as famous as supermodels in the world of fashion. They command a special brand of power in being the arbiters of visual taste and are celebrated accordingly.
The extravagant lifestyle of socialiseing with the rich and famous is the aspiration of many who ecome into this business. But the truth is that this is a bleak field to work in if you don’t have complete conviction in what you are doing. This must be your passion, as the path to success will try you without mercy. For every success there are hundreds of failures who never get a glimpse of the fame and money they strive for.
To get started in fashion photography you must study your art. You will never stop learning, so read any fashion magazine you can get your hand on. Check out Amazon.com for high quality fashion books where you can see what other people think of the books before you buy them. To get anywhere in the business you’ll need at least one good camera, a tripod and some basic photography lighting. When shooting make sure you have enough film and lots of batteries for the camera. Research your field as different cameras produce different tones in the final image.
Your portfolio is your most important asset when you are establishing yourself in the business. It represents what you can do, so spend time making sure it represents you perfectly. Fashion editors are going to want to see examples of your work before they hire you so spend time on that portfolio. It should have at least 20 photos to give sufficient space to show the different styles you can do. 4×5″ format is recommended, but 8×10″ will do if you’re in a rush. Any publications featuring your work can be part of your portfolio too. Make sure to vary the style in your photographs, capturing figures from different perspectives.
Fashion is about accessories too so a close-up partial body shot can make a great photo- say an image of a watch on a young woman’s wrist. When you apply for a job be aware that you may have to leave your portfolio there for a couple of weeks. To deal with this you should make copies of your portfolio so that you can apply for more than one job at the same time.
The internet is becoming a useful portal to display your work. Set up your own website with your portfolio online, and submit your photographs to online competitions. This will help get your work seen and a well-presented webpage can bring in a lot of clients.
Fashion editors want to see a unique perspective in your work. They want to see character and soul. Spend time learning the technical side of the art so that your creativity won’t be limited by technical ignorance. If you have can endure the hardship of establishing yourself in this industry, you will reap the rewards later. Just keep improving yourself and don’t give up.
Thinking about digital photography, ever want to start Learning Digital Photography? Get Great Advice on how to shoot Digital Photographs with This Free Report
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Starting-your-Career-in-Fashion-Photography/325798
The Aesthetic Moment of Moon & Siang
|
|
SET of 10 – GREATPACK 11×14 White Single Mats- fit 8×10 photo art $37.99 Quality Greatpack Mats in White, Antique White and Black…. |
|
|
Set of 10 Single White 8×10 mats to fit 4×6 Photo, Print, Art $35.99 Quality Greatpack Mats in White, Antique White and Black…. |
|
|
SET of 10 – GREATPACK 11×14 Black Single Mats- fit 8×10 photo art $37.99 High Quality Greatpack Mats in White, Black and Antique White…. |
