A Look at Fashion Photography
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 @ 09:25
Fashion is probably the one area of photography that just about everyone is aware of. We've all seen high profile fashion models doing shoots with a photographer dripping with all sorts of fancy equipment, oohing and ahhhhhing and encouraging the model to strike every type of pose imaginable.
Fashion photography, in a nutshell, concentrates on taking photographs for the purpose of showing off various clothing items or related accessories, usually being worn by very highly paid, beautiful models. The photographs are then published in fashion magazines, used for advertising or are circulated among various designers.
Sometimes the photographer receives credit for his work, but most times he doesn't. He is generally under contract to the clothing or apparel designer for one specific project and his job is solely to make the product look good, whether that be an article of clothing or a pair of shoes.
The fashion photographer is often an anonymous face behind the camera. Unless he has achieved a certain degree of renown for his work, he is more often than not merely a "working stiff" whose only reward is the session fee. In addition, he may also receive a small royalty fee each time the photos he takes appear in different magazines.
Many notables have made their reputations in fashion photography, including Phillipe Halsman, Helmut Newton and Herb Ritts. Magazines such as Bizarre and Life have run many examples of excellent fashion photography within their pages and the genre is definitely one that will pay well for the photographer with a high degree of talent.
Breaking in can be difficult, but not impossible. As with all things, network and get to know people in the field and it is possible that doors can be opened if you have the necessary skills, creative ability and a little bit of luck.
