Fashion Photography
By: TJ Tierney
The true art of fashion photography.
 Do
you want to be a fashion photographer? Fashion
photography is an extremely tough market to break
into, but if you are willing to work hard, have a
good imagination and hold the ability to take
perfect images you are off to a good start.
A fashion photographer must be good in two
photography disciplines. First, you need to be a
great portrait photographer - second, you need to be
able to create images for the advertisement market.
You must be able to combine the two if you are going
to succeed.
To be a successful fashion photographer you must
also have a love of fine design clothes - without it
you will never achieve the heights that bring
success. A fashion photographer must stay up to date
with all the latest fashion and have the ability to
use his/her imagination to sell new designs.
Selling is the key - the fashion photographer must
be able to sell his images to the fashion editor.
Fashion photography is advertising and selling
clothes.
To establish a reputation in fashion photography,
the first thing you must do is set up a portfolio.
Your portfolio should display your best work
and be your first selling point. The second, and
equally as important as the first, is to set up an
online portfolio - your own personal Website.
To set up a portfolio you first must hire a model.
Contacting your local modelling agencies can do
this. You don't need to hire a well-known model for
your fashion portfolio - you need someone who will
act well in front of the camera.
To be very successful you need to build a good
relationship with models. Some models can be tough
to work with so people psychology will play an
important part. If you intend to shoot from your
home studio supply a changing room for them.
If a model becomes unhappy for any reason the photo
session will be a waste of time. Allow your model to
make their own suggestions - regardless of how
trivial it may be, it will help to keep them relaxed
and you may get results that may be useful.
Once your portfolio is created you need to get
exposure for it. If you have previously published
work - use them as a statement with the picture
editors. You need to establish a good working
relationship with all fashion editors that you'll be
working with. So be professional.
Fashion photo editors are looking for concise images
that clearly communicate an idea. You must, as a
fashion photographer, have the ability to create
unique settings.
When you do gather a large amount of fashion images,
submit them to a fashion agency: Women's magazines
all over the world buy hundreds of stock shots every
month. Photo agencies exist to sell photographers
images - some of the larger fashion agencies have
buyers all over the world. Some agencies can also
re-sell your work in several different markets, and
others will give you great career advice.
Keep up to date with fashion magazines, study
the market and always be on the lookout for changing
trends.
Don't be afraid to take the first step. If a fashion
editor has no interest in your work - don't worry -
try contacting different magazines or agencies -
most great photographers have their work rejected
some time during their career.
About the Author
TJ Tierney is an award winning Irish Landscape
photographer and a freelance writer. To view or buy
some of his images visit his on line gallery @
http://www.goldenirishlight.com
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