{"id":59991,"date":"2019-08-19T13:11:34","date_gmt":"2019-08-19T17:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/?p=59991"},"modified":"2021-11-29T11:51:36","modified_gmt":"2021-11-29T16:51:36","slug":"5-fashion-photography-tips-from-the-pros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/5-fashion-photography-tips-from-the-pros\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Fashion Photography Tips From the Pros"},"content":{"rendered":"
Fashion photography is more than just photographing beautiful models in beautiful clothing. It is more than a particular lighting style or retouching technique. To create successful fashion imagery, you have to start with a concept, build a team, pay attention to details and to experiment.<\/p>\n
I\u2019d like to share my 5 tips for more successful photographs. It is not just about technique\u2026 it’s about your ideas supported by your technique!<\/p>\n
1. Develop a concept and mood board<\/h4>\nPhotos by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
When creating a successful fashion image, you will want to dedicate the time and effort to develop a concept for your shoot. You can\u2019t just “show up and hope for the best.”<\/p>\n
Nearly every successful shoot begins with a concept. What is the story you are telling? How does the model feel? How should the viewer feel? What is the focal point or purpose of the image? When you know your purpose it makes it a lot easier to make creative decisions. Your purpose helps you to determine lighting, posing, wardrobe, hair and makeup, and more! With the most successful shoots, all elements work together.<\/p>\n
Once you decide upon your concept, you\u2019ll need to develop a mood board to act as a visual roadmap. A mood board is a collection of images (usually not your own) that helps to visually communicate the direction of the shoot. When you look at a mood board, the entire creative team can envision the end results and begin to plan their contribution to the shoot.<\/p>\n
The three images shown above are photographs from my recent polkadot editorial. The concept was to create photographs that were graphic black and white images that appeared almost like illustrations. The mood board I created reflected this idea and allowed the stylist to prepare the perfect wardrobe for this shoot.<\/p>\n
2. Build a creative team<\/h4>\nPhoto by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Working with a strong creative team is the backbone of most successful fashion shoots. A creative team consists of all of the artists that collaborate with one another to create the final product. This includes hair stylist, makeup wardrobe, wardrobe stylist, and anyone else that may be required for the concept (manicurist, set designer, etc).<\/p>\n
Certainly not every shoot needs to be a huge production, yet often the execution and final product will be far superior when you work with other passionate professionals and artists that help bring your ideas to life. Sure, you can start as a “jack of all trades” on your own shoots, but eventually you’ll want to seek out other creatives to help elevate the level of your production.<\/p>\n
Your creative team will also be helpful as your grow your business. They help to expand your network, introduce you to potential clients, and watch for opportunities in the industry.<\/p>\n
This beauty image would not have been possible without a talented makeup artist to execute the concept, inspired by the geometric and graphic artwork of Mondrian. Her knowledge of the artist and ability to execute the concept (with a combination of makeup, tape and paint) really gave this image life.<\/p>\n
3. Select lighting to tell your story<\/h4>\nPhotos by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Believe it or not, there is no such thing as the “best lighting.” The lighting you choose should always support the mood and purpose of your image. Neither natural light nor studio lighting is “better.” Neither soft light nor hard light, or broad light or short light are inherently “superior.”<\/p>\n
If the mood is meant to be ethereal and dream-like, you wouldn’t want to use an image with hard light and a lot of shadows. Instead, selecting more high key lighting and a softer light source will likely better communicate the goals of your image.<\/p>\n
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