Fashion Photographer, Los Angeles, California - clothing catalogs, fashion accessories, fashion photography

Fashion photography has elements of product, portrait, fine art and editorial photography. The purpose of the photographs is usually to sell clothing or accessories such as shoes, purses or jewelry. However, the model captures the attention first. The desired reaction by the viewer is “Oh, she looks hot! I wish I looked like that. Maybe if I buy that dress, maybe I will look that sexy, too.”

Creating clothing catalogs is an opportunity for a fashion photographer to introduce a various styles in lighting, backgrounds, and settings and looks in a short period of time. A large clothing catalog production can include a crew that includes location scouts, clothing stylists, hair stylists, makeup artists, designers, photographer’s assistants, lighting technicians and digital retouchers. The models are constantly changing outfits, getting their makeup redone, practicing poses and preparing for their next appearance before the camera.

Preparing for a fashion photo shoot

Discuss with your photographer what kind of pictures you need, and what you are trying to communicate with the images. Should you shoot outdoors, on location or in the studio? What are you selling – lifestyle, attitude, style, design – or are you just trying to show color and cut selection? Determine your company’s budget for the project, and based on budget how large a crew you need and can afford.

If you have never done a fashion photo shoot before, maybe you don’t know how large a budget your company needs and what crew members the photographer should hire. Basic functions need to be covered, even if you don’t have the budget for professionals. Someone has to iron and prepare the clothes for the models. Often the same person can do both hair and makeup on a smaller shoot. Professional location scouts can save time and get you into places a non-professional could not. However, if your needs are simple, maybe a local park or beach will be all you need. Top end digital retouchers can spend an entire day on one image, making the model’s skin look flawless and glowing. However, on a tighter budget, perhaps all you need is to have the photographer remove the most glaring skin blemishes and problems.

Model selection is vital to a good fashion shoot. Professional models from an agency know how to pose, know what makes them look good, and can save you lots of time. A professional model can come up with five great poses in fifteen seconds, while it may take an amateur model thirty minutes to come up with five great poses. However, budgets again come into play. Amateur models are available for as little as $200-300 a day, while professional models may cost $1,500 - $3,000 and more per day. “Super models” can command over $100,000 per day. You need to determine if the time saved and the look you will achieve using professionals is worth the cost.