Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Job Opportunities - Your Career In Fashion Photography

By Dan Feildman




Everywhere we look we see images of beautiful women wearing the latest fashion, dressed from head to toe in the hottest looks from the catwalks of the world. These are the fashion models of today and tomorrow. These slick images surround us, but who creates these lasting impressions of cool? Who takes the time to study the art of capturing style and depth to produce a completely unique look with every image? Who else, but the fashion photographer.

Names like Michael Muller and Patrick Demarchelier are as famous as super models in the world of fashion. They command a special brand of power in being the arbiters of visual taste and are celebrated accordingly.

The glamorous lifestyle may be the outsider's perception of fashion photography, but reaching success is a truly testing process. This profession is ruthless, and without the focus of strength to persist, the competition will throw you to the side. With every famous photographer there are thousands of others earning nothing from their trade.

You have to study your subject every day. Read, learn and think about everything you encounter. Everything you experience will contribute to how you perceive the world and consequently your art. Read fashion magazines whenever you can and invest in some quality fashion photography books. You can get some off Amazon.com easily. If you're serious about fashion photography then you need to have at least one professional-grade camera, some basic lighting equipment and a tripod. Look into the different types of camera as they will affect the photos you take.

You really need to have a portfolio of your best work on you at all times. If a fashion editor shows any interest in you, they are going to want to see what you can do. Clear, bright photographs give the best impression. 4x5" is a good format to present your work in, but if your work has been published you can take a copy of that too. If these are not an option then a decent quality 8x10" will do fine. Make sure you have at least 20 photographs in your portfolio and try to show your grasp of different styles. Provide proof of your skill in capturing full figure shots.

It is important to remember that jewelery is a part of fashion, so a partial body shot, for example a shot of a wrist watch on a well-formed wrist can be a good photograph to have. Make several copies of your portfolio and always have a few with you. When applying for a job, this will allow you to leave your portfolio behind without hindering you.

Today it is becoming necessary to upload your work online. Make sure you website has a great look- you are an artist after all and presentation is everything. You can promote you work for free by entering it into online contests. The internet is a great place to network for professionals, so make sure you use it.

Fashion editors are looking for character in your photographs. Develop your craft so you have the technical ability to express yourself in your work. There are a lot of great resources online to show you the basics of fashion photography. If this is your passion, don't give up on it. Success is possible, but you will have to work hard to earn it.



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