How to Become a Fashion Photographer

So you want to be a fashion photographer? Sounds very exciting? Sailing around on yachts with models. Shooting in the Caribbean or Tahiti or maybe even Paris with your favorite model is a perk of the job right? How fun it must be to shoot models for Victoria's Secret and Sports Illustrated! Who would not want to travel to exotic locales and make a fortune and work with and befriend the most beautiful women in the world?

Everything listed above, while possible, is not exactly what we do. I know, i know it looks like that in the movies and on television. And yes, i was in Greece this year, Rome and the Caribbean working on shoots with very lovely models. But it is not that simple or everyone would be doing it right? Right!

1. Get some basic courses in photography so you can understand the functions of a camera.
2. Go out and take some pictures of models. There are many websites out there that have models who are ready to shoot with you and who live in your area. Start with an internet search to find model websites.
3. After you become comfortable taking pictures of amateur models and have some great photographs in your book approach local modeling agencies by giving them a call or sending and email and ask to shoot their models for their portfolios. You may be able to shoot their models for free and perhaps get paid in the process of doing so.
4. Open the magazines that you want to be in and study their style. In time you will be able to shoot as well as the photographers in the magazines you want to shoot for. When you are ready submit your pictures to the photo editors of these magazines. You will find their contact info in the first few pages of the magazine or you can call them directly.
5. Network and maintain relationships with people in the industry. Social networking sites are great for this as great fashion photographers, fashion designers, makeup artists, hair stylists, magazines and photo editors can be found online. It may take some digging but social networks have a ton of resources to aid you in your quest.
6. Develop an original style. When you first start shooting in the beginning it is easy to fall into the trap of copying other artists and trying to shoot their style. This is not always bad. For centuries painters and sculptors have swarmed to the Louvre in Paris to duplicate the Mona Lisa and other great works of art. After your done practicing, however, it is important to move on and forget about trying so hard to imitate the great masters. Instead imitate life. That is what art does. Work on developing your own style and you will be rewarded for it handsomely.
7. Do not fuss too much over gear. If you are using a digital camera try to find one that is at least 12 megapixels so you do not have to worry too much about poor image quality. Get a couple of great lenses. In the beginning and at the advanced stages of your career you will find yourself working a lot with natural light. Harness that power. It is the greatest light there is. Of course at times you will find yourself working in the studio as well. Get a few quality lights. Afterwards, focus on the craft of photography. Man made the picture and the picture made the man.
8. Be nice.
9. Keep shooting. The road to becoming a successful fashion photographer can be a long one. Do not give up. Shoot in the beginning as a hobby in all of your spare time. Create as often as you can. The experience will be invaluable.
10. Get an agent. An agent can be instrumental in promoting your photography career. When you are armed with a portfolio full of pictures start approaching them. They are extremely competitive in the major markets and it will be a task to get your work in front of them but well worth the effort.

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Christopher Kilkus Photographer Dennis Stock

Born in 1928 in New York City, Dennis Stock’s (1928–2010) promise as a photographer began at an early age. Just shy of 20 years old, Stock worked with Life magazine photographer Gion Mili, quickly going on to win first prize in Life’s Young Photographers contest.

Stock photographed Hollywood icons, including James Dean. Stock took interest in the great jazz musicians of the late 1950s and early 1960s, photographing Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Sidney Bechet, Gene Krupa and Duke Ellington for his book Jazz Street.

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Christopher Kilkus Photographer Frank Horvat

Born in Italy in 1928, Frank Horvat began studying photography at the age of 15, when he traded his postage stamp collection for a 35 mm Retinamat camera. In his 20s, Horvat began studying art at the Accademia di Brera and working in advertising, soon becoming a magazine photographer for a variety of Italian magazines. In the late 1950s, Horvat’s fashion photography career began with the famous European fashion magazine Jardin des Modes.

Soon thereafter in 1961, Horvat began working for Harper’s Bazaar, creating a new “unmade” look with the models, replacing the “goddess” look that was previously popular. He also worked for Elle, Glamour, and Vogue, and became an associate photographer for Magnum. Horvat rolled with the times as fashion photography changed in the 1960s and 1970s; now the popular style that he captured was of a fun-loving, rock concert vibe, showcasing his subjects’ inhibitions.

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Christopher Kilkus Photographer Irving Penn

Born in 1917 in New Jersey, Irving Penn (1917–2009) is a highly regarded photographer known for his work in fashion, still life and with celebrities. Penn studied design at the Philadelphia Museum School of Industrial Art, with the hopes of becoming a painter. After studying under Alexey Brodovitch, Penn was hired by Harper’s Bazaar as an assistant illustrator. In the early 1940s, Penn quit his advertising job with Saks Fifth Avenue and moved to Mexico to pursue his painting career.

After returning to the United States, Penn decided to pursue photography over painting. His first job after this realization was with Vogue as a cover illustrator. He eventually moved on to photograph the covers for the publication, his first of over 170 covers in 1943. From the beginning, Penn loved the control he achieved when photographing in a studio. His stark style of a plain background with basic lighting was influential in shaping fashion photography.

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Christopher Kilkus Photographer David Bailey

Born in 1938 in London, David Bailey’s youth had nothing to do with photography. Growing up in London’s East End, he felt his career choices were limited to “…a boxer, a car thief, or maybe a musician.”  Of course, he became none of those things, but did hold down a few odd jobs to earn money; he was a carpet salesman, tallyman, shoe salesman and a window-dresser. Eventually, he became inspired by photography while in the British Royal Air Force in the mid-1950s after discovering Henri Cartier Bresson’s work. Bailey began reading LIFE and other American photo magazines, and soon thereafter purchased his first camera.

Three years after his first camera purchase, and at the tender age of 22, Bailey was taking photos for British Vogue. Known for his signature stark backgrounds and dramatic lighting, Bailey quickly became sought after for his extraordinary fashion and celebrity photography. Bailey was responsible for photographing some of the most famous people in Britain during that time period, including: fashion designer Mary Quant, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, The Who, Mia Farrow, Catherine Deneuve, Michael Caine, Twiggy and Penelope Tree. Bailey also photographed fashion trends in London and New York for American Vogue and Glamour, and his work showcased the cultural and fashion turn of the 1960s, including the punk movement.

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Christopher Kilkus Photographer Cecil Beaton

Born in 1904 in London, Cecil Beaton (1904 – 1980) taught himself photography, practicing by photographing his mother and sisters. Beaton worked hard to get noticed, and sold his family portraits to a variety of London magazines. His hard work paid off and Beaton became one of the most renowned photographers of his time.

After relocating to New York in 1929, Beaton began working regularly for Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar. He created iconic portraits of celebrities such as: Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn, Salvador Dali and Francis Bacon. Beaton received the ultimate honor of photographing Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family.

Besides his status as a sought-after celebrity photographer, Beaton’s work took a serious turn during World War II. Serving as a war photographer in Africa and Asia, Beaton also documented the air raid damage in London. One of his most famous war photographs was of a young, hospitalized girl with a bandage on her head, holding a doll.

Beaton’s career took another turn after World War II; he began working as a set and costume designer for theater productions, films and operas, including Swan Lake, Coco, The Grass Harp, and La Traviata. Beaton even earned an Oscar for Gigi in 1959, and two Oscars for his work on My Fair Lady in 1965.

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Fashion Photographer - What to Look For When Hiring One

Finding the right fashion photographer for your project can be a difficult task. You want the best quality available, but many people with a digital camera and limited experience claim to be professionals or expert fashion photographers. So how do you separate professional photographers from the regular ones? Here are some things to consider when hiring a fashion photographer:

Does the photographer really look like a professional? As a professional, the photographer has to become part of the scene, especially in fashion events; nobody wants to have a guy that is not dressed accordingly. It actually applies for any other profession, but it's essential that a fashion photographer shows his sense of professionalism in his appearance.

Does he have previous experience in this type of events? There are several types of events such as weddings, corporate portraits, etc. And some photographers tend to specialize themselves in a particular type. It's because there are certain details involved that makes them different. Even though a person offering his services may be really talented, it's better to have a specialist shoot the event. After all, being the first experience on a fashion event for a photographer specialized in weddings may not be the best idea.

What do you think about his portfolio? The photographer could have a strong reputation, but if the portfolio he presents to you seems not to be what is expected for the specific event, then chances are that the final job would not be what you pictured in your mind. As mentioned before, photographers develop styles after some years, and that is reflected in their portfolios, asking them to do something completely different or new may end up being a problem instead or an innovation for them. A good photographer will adapt himself to your concept, but the end result will be much better if that concept is within his style.

Does he ask the proper questions to get the best possible result? An experienced photographer will ask as many questions as he needs to make sure he will get the best results. He should ask questions about what style is preferred for the event, if there is any in particular, what type of photographs are expected, etc. He should also consider the time and location chosen for the fashion event to get familiar with the space and the angles, and the sunlight or illumination available.

Does he have backup equipment available? A professional photographer has to be prepared for the worst. He has to carry a couple of back up cameras just in case one of them breaks. Lenses breaks also, batteries can run out of charge. There are a few things that may go wrong while shooting the event and you should expect nothing less than a prepared photographer to get the job done. That includes the lighting; a capable fashion photographer should have the necessary equipment to make you look good during the big event.

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