Sunday, October 12, 2008

Your Future Career in Fashion Photography

By Dan Feildman

They are all around us. On posters, on television, in magazines. Ultra-thin models strutting along the runways of London, New York and Milan wearing the latest items from today's designers. Their petite figures and constant pouting are all around us. But who captures these images that completely surround us and tell us how to look? These images are the products of years of experience and study, manipulating the light and colour while considering the composition to produce the most attractive images possible to display new fashion. They are the products of 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.

Money and fame may be the dream of any aspiring young newcomer, but entry to this exclusive universe is as difficult as it is desirable. To reach the golden heights that many hunger for, one must extraordinary ambition and persistence. With every successful fashion photographer, there are thousands left in the gutter promoting their work in hope of being picked up.

To get started in fashion photography you must study your art. You will never stop learning, so read any fashion magazine you can get your hand on. Check out Amazon.com for high quality fashion books where you can see what other people think of the books before you buy them. To get anywhere in the business you'll need at least one good camera, a tripod and some basic photography lighting. When shooting make sure you have enough film and lots of batteries for the camera. Research your field as different cameras produce different tones in the final image.

Your portfolio is your most important asset when you are establishing yourself in the business. It represents what you can do, so spend time making sure it represents you perfectly. Fashion editors are going to want to see examples of your work before they hire you so spend time on that portfolio. It should have at least 20 photos to give sufficient space to show the different styles you can do. 4x5" format is recommended, but 8x10" will do if you're in a rush. Any publications featuring your work can be part of your portfolio too. Make sure to vary the style in your photographs, capturing figures from different perspectives.

When you apply for a job, you can expect to leave your portfolio there for a few weeks, so make sure you make copies of your portfolio so you don't have to be idle while hearing back from employers. For a different look try taking partial body shots, for instance photographing watches on wrists. They make a great contrast to the rest of your work.

Having an online presence is becoming an important part of fashion photography. Setting up a website with your portfolio on it could be the key to your success. Research ways to promote your website, such as entering online competitions and participating in online fashion forums.

What fashion editors are really looking for is a unique character in your photographs. Every photographer captures different images. It is a good idea to learn about your art to improve your technical skills. This will give you greater freedom to express your vision.To succeed at this, you must be persistent, so don't give up if this is your dream and never stop learning. - 15437

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