![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/26-683x1024.jpg\")
Develop a Style <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nYour style is your visual calling card. It is what makes your work stand apart from the competition. Your style is what helps make you and your work memorable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fashion photography, style is even more important than in most other photographic specialities. Many brands want photographers with vision or with a unique view of the world. Furthermore, when hiring for commercial campaigns, a client looks for a photographer with a style that matches the vision of the campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2022_FashionIntensive_Summer_5363-a-683x1024.jpg\")
Photo by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat is style? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Style is a common thread that weaves throughout a photographer\u2019s body of work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of your favorite fashion photographers \u2014 the ones that inspire you the most and that have shaped your own vision. I guarantee they all have a distinctive style. While the concept of style is a bit abstract, you can usually break it down into three key elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Subject matter<\/strong>: Typically a photographer\u2019s style will develop an expertise around a certain subject matter whether beauty, fashion, portraiture<\/a>, etc. You, of course, can be more even more specific in your subject matter. For example, certain photographers\u2019 work become known for beauty, but specifically avant garde makeup. <\/li>
- Visual elements<\/strong>: What are some common visual elements in the photographer\u2019s work? Do they use bright colors and high key lighting<\/a>? Do they tend to explore more shadows and slices of light? Do they use painterly color palettes and cinematic lighting? Visual elements can include color, lighting, composition, and more. <\/li>
- Emotion elements<\/strong>: How do the images make you feel? Are they mysterious? Do they have risqu\u00e9 undertones? Do they make you feel joyful and carefree? Many different elements work together to make you feel these emotions, but many photographers explore certain emotive elements over and over again in their work. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Studio-Session-884-flat-683x1024.jpg\")
Photo by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIf you want to see some fashion photographers with clear visual styles, check out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Ellen Von Unwerth<\/a><\/li>
- Kristian Schuller<\/a><\/li>
- Tim Walker<\/a><\/li>
- Peter Lindberg<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As you develop a style, this will make it easier for you to focus on your target audience and do so in a more impactful way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My story: My style is fashion photography that features precise light, graphic compositions, and portrays subjects with strength and elegance. No matter who (or what) is in front of my lens, these elements shine through<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/012118_beauty_Hazel_2133-crop-683x1024.jpg\")
Photo by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSchedule \u201cCreative Play\u201d Days <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSet aside regular time for practice and experimentation. The name \u201ccreative play\u201d days sounds all fun and games, but it is a very serious part of your growth as a fashion photographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative play days are portfolio building days, but they are also so much more. Also known as “test shoots,” on these days no one is paid yet everyone works together to advance both career and portfolio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some goals of creative play days include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Create the type of work you want to be hired for<\/strong> – Research your dream clients, note the aesthetics that appeal to them, and create samples of this work. Your portfolio needs to reflect the type of work you want to be hired for. <\/li>
- Try out new members of your creative team<\/strong> – Test out a new makeup artist, hair stylist, or wardrobe stylist. These days help you not only create art together but also to build a rapport.<\/li>
- Experiment with new techniques<\/strong> – Typically, you don\u2019t want to save your learning or experimenting for paid days. Setting aside creative play days gives you time (with no pressure) to try new lighting, test out new makeup, and to get creative. <\/li>
- Create social content<\/strong> – Social media can be an important tool for getting more eyes on your work and engaging a following. Creative play days allow you to create content in the forms of stills but also behind-the-scenes reels and TikToks of your creative process. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
My story: In 2010, I struggled to have a clearly defined vision or style. I set aside one day per week for creative plays days. It was over this year that I really grew my creative techniques and built a more cohesive (and memorable) portfolio. To this day, I still shoot at least once a month to continue to evolve my portfolio and stay on top of trends in the industry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/0Q2A3715-a-683x1024.jpg\")
Photo by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nMake Connections <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe connections you make are essential to your success. The creative team you work with (hair, makeup, wardrobe) will help to elevate the quality of your work and expand your reach to designers and brands. The companies and individuals you connect with will help you to start developing a name and network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just having fantastic work is not enough. The work will not<\/em> just speak for itself. You need others to help spread the word and evangelize for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\nEven mediocre photographers can find themselves busy and working because they have built the right network of individuals. Those who really thrive have two key elements: an excellent quality of work and<\/em> a superior network to help them to create the work or hire them to create this work. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMy story: When I first moved to NYC, I reached out to a wardrobe stylist on social media. After putting together a few creative play days, she began to trust and appreciate my work and our creative collaborations. She had been in NYC for 20 years and offered to connect me with brands, professional athletes, and other creatives. My first year in New York, I was able to pay my rent and survive off of the connections this one person helped me to make. It really can be one person that can help make or break your transition into the industry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
What is style? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Style is a common thread that weaves throughout a photographer\u2019s body of work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of your favorite fashion photographers \u2014 the ones that inspire you the most and that have shaped your own vision. I guarantee they all have a distinctive style. While the concept of style is a bit abstract, you can usually break it down into three key elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Subject matter<\/strong>: Typically a photographer\u2019s style will develop an expertise around a certain subject matter whether beauty, fashion, portraiture<\/a>, etc. You, of course, can be more even more specific in your subject matter. For example, certain photographers\u2019 work become known for beauty, but specifically avant garde makeup. <\/li>
- Visual elements<\/strong>: What are some common visual elements in the photographer\u2019s work? Do they use bright colors and high key lighting<\/a>? Do they tend to explore more shadows and slices of light? Do they use painterly color palettes and cinematic lighting? Visual elements can include color, lighting, composition, and more. <\/li>
- Emotion elements<\/strong>: How do the images make you feel? Are they mysterious? Do they have risqu\u00e9 undertones? Do they make you feel joyful and carefree? Many different elements work together to make you feel these emotions, but many photographers explore certain emotive elements over and over again in their work. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n
\nPhoto by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n If you want to see some fashion photographers with clear visual styles, check out: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Ellen Von Unwerth<\/a><\/li>
- Kristian Schuller<\/a><\/li>
- Tim Walker<\/a><\/li>
- Peter Lindberg<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As you develop a style, this will make it easier for you to focus on your target audience and do so in a more impactful way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My story: My style is fashion photography that features precise light, graphic compositions, and portrays subjects with strength and elegance. No matter who (or what) is in front of my lens, these elements shine through<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n
\nPhoto by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Schedule \u201cCreative Play\u201d Days <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Set aside regular time for practice and experimentation. The name \u201ccreative play\u201d days sounds all fun and games, but it is a very serious part of your growth as a fashion photographer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Creative play days are portfolio building days, but they are also so much more. Also known as “test shoots,” on these days no one is paid yet everyone works together to advance both career and portfolio. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some goals of creative play days include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Create the type of work you want to be hired for<\/strong> – Research your dream clients, note the aesthetics that appeal to them, and create samples of this work. Your portfolio needs to reflect the type of work you want to be hired for. <\/li>
- Try out new members of your creative team<\/strong> – Test out a new makeup artist, hair stylist, or wardrobe stylist. These days help you not only create art together but also to build a rapport.<\/li>
- Experiment with new techniques<\/strong> – Typically, you don\u2019t want to save your learning or experimenting for paid days. Setting aside creative play days gives you time (with no pressure) to try new lighting, test out new makeup, and to get creative. <\/li>
- Create social content<\/strong> – Social media can be an important tool for getting more eyes on your work and engaging a following. Creative play days allow you to create content in the forms of stills but also behind-the-scenes reels and TikToks of your creative process. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
My story: In 2010, I struggled to have a clearly defined vision or style. I set aside one day per week for creative plays days. It was over this year that I really grew my creative techniques and built a more cohesive (and memorable) portfolio. To this day, I still shoot at least once a month to continue to evolve my portfolio and stay on top of trends in the industry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
\nPhoto by Lindsay Adler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Make Connections <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The connections you make are essential to your success. The creative team you work with (hair, makeup, wardrobe) will help to elevate the quality of your work and expand your reach to designers and brands. The companies and individuals you connect with will help you to start developing a name and network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just having fantastic work is not enough. The work will not<\/em> just speak for itself. You need others to help spread the word and evangelize for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even mediocre photographers can find themselves busy and working because they have built the right network of individuals. Those who really thrive have two key elements: an excellent quality of work and<\/em> a superior network to help them to create the work or hire them to create this work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My story: When I first moved to NYC, I reached out to a wardrobe stylist on social media. After putting together a few creative play days, she began to trust and appreciate my work and our creative collaborations. She had been in NYC for 20 years and offered to connect me with brands, professional athletes, and other creatives. My first year in New York, I was able to pay my rent and survive off of the connections this one person helped me to make. It really can be one person that can help make or break your transition into the industry. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
- Try out new members of your creative team<\/strong> – Test out a new makeup artist, hair stylist, or wardrobe stylist. These days help you not only create art together but also to build a rapport.<\/li>
- Kristian Schuller<\/a><\/li>
- Visual elements<\/strong>: What are some common visual elements in the photographer\u2019s work? Do they use bright colors and high key lighting<\/a>? Do they tend to explore more shadows and slices of light? Do they use painterly color palettes and cinematic lighting? Visual elements can include color, lighting, composition, and more. <\/li>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/20190517_Intensive3_9780-a-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Lindsay-Adler-Red19308-770x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/LA-Creative-3.22.1919673-a-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/VladaMUA23633-c-8bit-683x1024.jpg\")
![\"Lindsay](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/b1o-n5e6pDw\/0.jpg\")