How to Get Hired as a Commercial Fashion Photographer

Fashion photography requires a good eye and smart business skills.

Commercial fashion photographers generally create images for magazines and catalogs in a variety of fashion markets. Many jobs in the arts are highly competitive and it takes just as much diligence and creativity to find fashion photography jobs as it does to do the shoots. As most photography jobs are on a freelance basis, you'll need to develop the skills to promote your work and manage the business end to be successful.

Learn and Network

Take classes related to managing a small business, as freelance work requires that you run your own small business. Eventually you'll need to keep careful records of income and expenditures, know how to pay taxes as a freelancer and perform other common business tasks. Take classes in photography, too, of course, to help master photographic equipment and techniques. Classes give you access to instructors who can serve as advisers. Your fellow students may serve as valuable contacts once you graduate. If your school offers career services, use them to find job listings and to connect with industry professionals. Make career contacts beyond the photography department. If your school offers other programs related to fashion, connect with students and faculty in those departments. They may be able to provide you with job search leads or provide references. While no school can give you the talent needed to be a photographer, they offer tools and information that can help you develop your talent.

Develop Your Portfolio

For creative professionals, a portfolio can be even more important than a resume. Develop collections of your work that represent the best of your abilities in a variety of styles. Just as with a resume, develop portfolios tailored to appeal to different markets -- a collection that appeals to the staff of Seventeen magazine may not work for Aquila Asia magazine. Mark the photos with a watermark to keep them from being used without your permission.

Branch Out and Grow

Jobs in fashion photography, like all freelance jobs, don't always come in a steady stream. There may be some idle time between jobs. When you cannot find enough fashion assignments, take other types of photography jobs. Wedding photography is a relatively common fill-in pursuit. Look into positions at photo studios and news or commercial photography jobs, where you photograph products for catalogs and advertisements. Not only will it keep your skills fresh, but you may be able to develop techniques to improve your fashion photography. Stay in touch with the fashion and photography industries by visiting websites of fashion magazines and subscribing to photography career magazines such as Photo District News.

Sell Yourself as a Photographer

As a small business owner, you will need to market your product. As a fashion photographer, that product is your talent. Share your talent with the world by establishing a website and social media profile complete with samples of your work. Develop a resume before you actually need one, and regularly search job listings for freelancers.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition- Photographers
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition- Artists and Related Workers
• Academy of Art University: What is a Fashion Photographer?
• Ken Rockwell: How to Become a Professional Photographer

Resources

• Get Photography Jobs
• Elance
• Mustafa Davis: Blog