What is a Fashion Photographer?
Being a fashion photographer can include international travel and glamour. It can also be a grueling, behind-the-scenes job with long hours, irrational bosses and lots of deadlines. Fashion photographers may work for high profile magazines such as "Vogue" or "Vanity Fair," or they may work directly for designers. Other fashion photographers earn their money on commercial shoots or creating stock photographs.
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History
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Baron de Meyer, active in the late 19th century, is considered one of the first fashion photographers. He was concerned with making clothing and jewelry appeal to the aristocracy, using soft focus and back lighting to achieve these ends. Edward Jean Steichen, who photographed for "Art and Decoration" and Conde Nast was another early fashion photographer. George Hoyningen-Huene earned his reputation photographing models for "Harper's Bazaar." In essence, a fashion photographer takes pictures of models wearing clothing that is for sale. Nowadays, web and print catalogs and magazines are the main outlets for fashion photography. Since the early days, fashion photography has mostly been about advertising, but over time, it has evolved from a purely commercial activity to an art form, opening up the genre for the likes of the edgy, fetishistic fashion photographs of Helmut Newton and the active, energetic fashion shots by Richard Avedon.
Considerations
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Preparing for a career in fashion photography can involve diverse coursework beyond learning the ins and outs of the dark room. Students of fashion photography learn about various cameras, the advantages between film and digital formats, lights and filters, digital post-production, editing, the history of fashion photography and technical terms in the field. Professors of such courses must remain technologically abreast of the latest developments in photography and integrate digital innovations into the core curriculum. Real-world career preparation is key as well. Because it can be challenging to find a paying position in fashion photography right out of college, most academic programs have supplemental coursework involving internships. A student may intern for major fashion magazines, websites or designers and learn to master the techniques of portfolio presentation and submitting work to editors or curators.
Features
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The job of a fashion photographer is fascinating and varied. Typical job duties include traveling to photo shoot locations, photographing models and celebrities, and manipulating light sources. Establishing a successful career in fashion photography means committing yourself to creative and ongoing marketing of your work, developing a signature style and establishing reliable, professional contacts among set designers, stylists, fashion editors, art directors, and agencies. A fashion photographer's portfolio, both print and web-based, should be considered a work-in-progress, with new and upgraded samples added on a consistent basis.
Expert Insight
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Clio McNicholl, a magazine photography editor, notes that an old-fashioned portfolio is a fashion photographer's best marketing tool, supplemented by a web portfolio. She says, "If I don't know who the person is, I ask them to send me some promotional material." A portfolio should contain at least 20 images, which can be 4-by-5-inch transparencies, tear sheets or 8-by-10-inch prints. "I like to see a common thread throughout the book," McNicholl adds. The images should not be repetitive, but they should tell a story.
Warning
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Many beginning fashion photographers fall into the trap of the perpetual unpaid internship. Every publisher, especially those who are starting up a publication, wants something for free and, while internships can be a great bridge to making professional connections and securing assignments, at some point, a fashion photographer has to get paid.
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