Magazines such as Allure, Vogue and Vanity Fair are known to display some of the best fashion photography that you will ever come across. Photography is a way of showcasing models wearing the trends in clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, hairstyles, necklaces, shoes and other items. The first known record of fashion photography was the portfolio of the Countess de Castiglione, Virginia Oldoini in 1856.
The world's first fashion photographer was Adolphe Braun, as he was the one responsible for shooting the first fashion model. Spark and color were added to fashion magazines once halftone printing was introduced to the fashion photography industry. The first magazines to make use of fashion photography were the French magazines Les Mode and La Mode Practique.
At first, fashion photography consisted of staging the shoots in natural environments using natural poses.
Baron Adolf de Meyer was the person who first developed and adopted this practice. In the first part of the 20the century, the magazines that were the leaders were Harper's Bazaar and Vogue.
The moguls of the industry still pay tribute to the likes of Yva, Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton, and George Hoyningen Huene.
These were the individuals who help to establish fashion photography in Europe. Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Martin Munkacsi made significant contributions after World War II.
A majority of the artists of earlier times deserted their adopted forms, and took on a more independent and natural style. 1936 was the year that models were first photographed at the beach in different poses, by Martin Munkacsi.
After World War II, fashion photography became quite popular among young men who loved to hold a camera in their hands, and among young women who had the ideal body type of a fashion model.
Today, fashion photography has evolved into a life of its own. Models and photographers are now seen as international celebrities, and enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and glamorous. But make no mistake this it is no easier for the photographer then it is the models, only a small percentage of those trying to make it actually succeed.
Fashion can be showcased in various avenues. Some of these well appreciated and well paid avenues include celebrity portraiture, art photography and fashion advertising.
Fashion moguls such as agent Gloria Cappelletti and photo editor Clio McNicholl both agree that the fashion photography industry is quickly evolving.
For anyone wanting to become a fashion photographer it is important to keep up on trends and aesthetics of the industry.
Study the images in the top fashion publications and try to understand the images and what attracts editors to them. Its interesting to look back at some of the really great photographers from a few decades ago.
Interesting that some of the fashion photographers appear to have disappeared. The ones still shooting are the ones that accept change and reinvent their style all the time, fashion photography can become dated almost as quickly as the fashions they showcase.
As a professional photographer, apart from your camera, the most important tool that you can own is your portfolio.
Your portfolio is actually your gateway to the industry. There are certain guidelines that you must follow when submitting your portfolio to a fashion editor. Once you are able to follow these guidelines correctly, you will on your way to becoming one of the world's renowned fashion photographers.
Fashion Photography Facts
The fashion industry and especially the modeling industry in big cities like Toronto would not be the same if fashion photographers downed their tools and declared that fashion photography were no more. This genre is very important as it devotes itself to displaying clothing and other fashion items and trends.
Fashion photography is important in the modeling industry because whenever designers need to display their collections they usually enlist the services of fashion photographers to take pictures of models dressed in their clothes.
People who do not go to runaways usually get the fashion via fashion magazines as they look for trendy designs. These people would otherwise not appreciate fashion in its raw form were it not for fashion photography.
Fashion photography is an art and fashion photographers have helped designers sell their clothes and items by taking good pictures of models wearing the clothes and posing in various positions at exotic locations.
When aspiring models and especially those in Toronto want to have their pictures taken, usually get fashion photographers to take their pictures. Pictures taken by fashion photographers have been known to propel the careers of some models to dizzying heights.
Some people living in cities like Toronto often wonder what the requirements needed to fulfill their aspirations to break into the industry.
Since fashion photography is an art, one needs to have artistic skill to ensure efficacy in their work. A natural sense of style and a knack to portray clothes artistically are some of the necessities for one to join successfully this field. One should also have an artistic inclination in regards to composition and modeling.
Ethics and etiquette are other requirements a fashion photographer should posses, as they would need to travel widely to meet many people in their line of work.
An additional element needed is for one to have is technical ability; as this will help one know how to work with the equipment used for this type of activity.
An entrepreneurship spirit and skills can help one get ahead in this field especially if they live in fashion cities like Toronto.
Another mandatory requirement is the basic equipment for one to flourish in these endeavors. One cannot break into the field if they do not have an ideal camera.
If a person wants to break into fashion photography, one should come up with a portfolio. They can either put the work they have done in a physical portfolio or develop a portfolio website to post their work.
After the putting a portfolio together, one should send them to locations such as modeling agencies and fashion magazines. Alternatively, one can enlist the services of a photo agency to market his or her pictures.
One benefit of fashion photography is one gets to travel to numerous locations and meet many people.
People who photography and images could find this profession a worthwhile endeavor as it would bring one satisfaction through what they love to do.
This profession also pays well; fashion photography is a well paying profession. Professional fashion photographers are always on demand; thus, one will never be out of work longer than they need to be.
3 Fashion Photography Tips For Outstanding Fashion Photos
Fashion Photography Tips #1 - Supervise Your Model's Hair and Makeup
Make sure to always be there to watch when your model's hair and makeup are being done by hair stylists and makeup artists. Just by being there to watch, you will recognize the color pallets used on your models which will later help you think up the suitable set up for your fashion photo shoot.
Another thing you ought to do is to avoid getting in the way of the hair stylist and make up team's way. You may interrupt politely or make suggestions only when you realize that the beauty team is going way off your expectations and directions of the theme of your fashion photography attempts.
It is a norm that after a few photography sessions, you will learn and know what best compliments your photo shoot. Working in a team and taking the role as the director or leader of the group guarantees new experiences and newly gained knowledge. It is of great importance that you work with a good and reliable team so that you'll be better able to build credibility.
Fashion Photography Tips #2 - Create an Impact with The Clothing and Accessories
What is fashion photography all about? Fashion photography is all about the artistic beauty and taste, as well as trends. Fashion plays the role of selling the latest season's clothes and accessories to people. The prime reason of fashion is to make others want whatever the model is wearing, be it clothing or accessories.
Another important fact to note is that how you style the clothes will make an impact towards the viewers, whether the clothing is meant for men or women. Have you managed to take fashion photography shots it in such a way where you will want the clothes on the model for yourself?
Now, the rule of thumb in fashion photography is that you as the photographer must always make use of lighting to emphasize the beauty and texture of the material - the lustre of the silk, sheerness of the chiffon, and the sparkles in the jewels. All these minor details should never be taken granted for because they tend to boost the quality of the photographs.
Fashion Photography Tips #3 - Be Confident Yet Humble
It is great to receive advice and suggestions from others. Therefore, be open to it. Nonetheless, you must remember to maintain your vision so as to not stray off and not achieve it. Your team members will be looking up to you with high expectations of the result of the fashion photo shoot.
Turning to others such as your client, a talented art director or even an editor to ask for opinions and suggestions helps you with your fashion photography attempts. Despite everything, you must know deep down that you are the one who creates the final product - the fashion photographs.
Fashion Photography - As Career
Do you have burning ambition to be a fashion photographer? The ability to learn new things? Can you handle constructive criticism? You need to ask yourself these questions as you research into your new career choice of becoming a fashion photographer.
An interest in fashion is really important, you need to know your fashion. Learning about designers, trends and what designer is 'in', what is going to be the new seasons fashion, this knowledge and passion is just as important as the photography side of being a fashion photographer.
Do you have a vivid imagination, can you think outside the square? You also need to be confident in your self and your ability to be a fashion photographer, in a very high paced, at times stressful profession. Therefore you must be professional in the way you conduct yourself in offering your services?
Do you have the right mindset to achieve your goals. Like all choices in becoming a success, you need to set yourself reasonable an attainable goals to be able to reach the top as a fashion photographer and into high fashion photography.
Helpful hints to help with your rise to be a success and become the next rising star in the fashion world as a fashion photographer.
The fashion world. Always keep up to date with high fashion magazines how their photos look. Get your inspiration, study modeling, eg: poses for high fashion shoots, lighting, however as a photographer, you should already know about lighting, if you don't, get started on the basics of photography.
Put a lot of effort and pride into building your first portfolio, you want it to be eye catching, professionally presented, you should use big glossy photos, show case different scenes and themes. This shows flexibility in your photography. Some photos can be very basic but sending a message about the clothing or fashion, not boring, and allow some photos to be really out there in tune with the clothing your photographing.
You definitely do not need to spend money on high fashion clothes for your models, borrowing clothes can be extremely helpful as you start out building your first portfolio, use different eras and use them to fit fashion and photograph them in a theme, being 60s, 70s 80s, the present, imagination and research on high fashion over these eras and then putting it all together in a portfolio you can use to sell your professional high fashion photography services. Remember your models hair and makeup have a lot to do with the end result to your fashion photography goal and that is to be a success.
You need to sell your self, go to magazines, fashion stores that have runway shows, offer to shoot for them. Send your portfolio to news papers in you city and offer your services for their fashion section to shoot fashion events in your state or where ever they may send you.
There are many opportunities, but they don't just come to you, you have to go out and find them and be confident in doing so. Know what you should be charging for your services if your freelancing. Most of the time working for a magazine, newspaper or fashion mall they will pay you per project, hour or perhaps a contract between you. But ask what the pay is and how their payment structure works.
Another idea to sell your abilities as a fashion photographer is to put together a mini high fashion magazine, write your own articles. This shows initiative, imagination and professional skills in show casing your work. You can also start selling your photos online, your photos may sell like hot cakes and this gets your name out there and shows that what you are doing is what people like and want to see. Edit your photos if needed.
Never give up on your dreams!
Learn here how to start your fashion photography business.
