∴My #1 Fashion Shoot Tip∴

Something you might not realize about fashion is that the photography tends to be done the season before the clothing’s released. Summer clothing is shot in winter, winter clothing is shot under the lashing summer sun. Something you probably do realize is that summer is hot and winter clothing is hot too. ‘Hot’ is the word I would use to describe my first shoot of the season for one of my oldest clients, Beslow.

I was working with three models. Half of the outfits were shot outdoors in 35ish degree C heat, and the rest mercifully indoors with the worst of the humidity cut by the wardrobe-sized air conditioner.

It’s here I need to give credit to professional models. In more than 5 hours of shooting, the models I worked with didn’t complain once, their calm expressions denying the grimace invited by a fourth layer and a muffler.

There’s a habit I picked up somewhere with fashion shoots, and I want to offer it to you now in case it’s ever helpful. Every shoot I’m on, I take a moment at the start to communicate directly with the model about something outside of the shoot. Maybe it’s where their from, or what they think of Seoul; whatever it is I try to find some topic that puts me on their side of the fence.

They’re about to have a camera in their face and people dressing and undressing them for hours on end, and this can build up a sense of alienation after a while. That first conversation gives us a touchstone of familiarity to return to, after dozens of directions and look at the suns.

When I feel an automaticity to the posing coming on, and the models no longer seem present, a reminder of that familiarity through some friendly conversation helps refocus all of us, and always makes for better images. It reminds everyone that we’re not in our own worlds, but for a bit in each other’s.

At the end of each shoot, I photograph each model a little more relaxed and in their own clothes.

If you’re interested in pursuing commercial photography, try to remember how vital relationship building is. Finding that connection with the people in your photos will help connect your photos with the people who see them.

Cheers,

Chris.