In this blog I provide nine fashion photography photoshoot tips that apply to aspiring models and fashion photographers. These photo tips are meant to benefit you in the world of photography, regardless of whether you're in front of the camera or behind the lens. If you're an experienced agency model or an established fashion photographer, these tips are also great reminders of business fundamentals and photography best practices.
Look in the Mirror
For models: I know this is a common tip that model agencies, family, and friends tell models but it’s true, practice your poses in the mirror. This is a great way for models to perfect their angles, become more comfortable with movement, and see how distortion might operate from a photographer's point of view. If you know your poses, that always makes my job easier. For photographers: A good mirror is an incredible tool to add interest to your work. It can add depth, layers, and all sorts of funky optical effects to your images. This is one tip that I haven’t taken advantage of enough!
Learn about Light
For models: I can't emphasize enough that this is really the photographer's job, but if you're a model and you learn how light works or affects you during a photo shoot, you'll have a heightened sense of how you look on-camera. As an example, if you know that hard direct light always makes your eyes squint or your skin flare up you can communicate with your photographer about your concern. For photographers: This should really go as number one on this list, or any list, for aspiring photographers. Learn how light works and practice, practice, practice. I'm by no means an expert, so I'll still go out and shoot, read books, talk to other photographers and develop a greater understanding (and appreciation) for natural or artificial lighting.
Use What Clothes Are Available
For models: Sometimes as models, your clothing options are limited. You carry your lives in suitcases and travel from city to city for shoots and amazing adventures. Unfortunately, that lack of a permanent home often leads to a limited wardrobe. It's important as a model to use what clothes you have (or you can acquire) to produce a successful test shoot or shoot for trade. Often models will borrow clothes from other models, get brand partnerships, or make friends with a wardrobe stylist who can provide clothes or input for shoots. For photographers: Your model has been gracious enough to provide clothes for the shoot, now it’s your turn to make them look amazing. Given the circumstances, it’s important to sometimes make ordinary clothes look extraordinary. You should learn what types of clothes you like to shoot, which clothes look good in certain light, and start to make basic recommendations for what you'd like models to bring to shoots.
Communicate Your Location
This tip goes both ways for both photographers and models, you should communicate to coordinate on the details of your shoot. From personal experience, I can't tell you the amount of times when I'd forget to give accurate meeting location instructions. That's why call sheets (sheets of paper with all of the shoot information) are important to produce. They can save both models and photographers trouble when looking for one another before a photoshoot, or during a change of location.
Mood Boards
Another tip for both photographers and models, share your inspiration! This is great way to get creativity flowing and help share ideas and thoughts for a shoot. This also helps any third parties who may involve themselves in a shoot to see how the shoot is forming. I like to use Pinterest for digital mood boards, but I've also utilized print mood boards that help keep the shoot more cohesive. If you're a model or photographer, mood boards are also a great way to acquire a library of reference material for future projects.
Social Media
For models: Tag your photographer in social media. They always appreciate a shout out on Instagram You don't need to go overboard, but a quick tag can go a long way. For photographers: Same rules apply, tag your models, and show them support on social media.
Scout Locations
Location scouting is one of my favorite activities when I have some downtime to spare or I am working on an important shoot. Go out and discover your location, see how light interacts during different times of the day, and think about the progression of your shoot and what outfits you might want the subject to wear in different settings. If you're not able to go to a location in person, make sure you thoroughly Google the area, ask other photographers what they think, or show up ahead of your scheduled call time and look around for an hour. You can also take time during hair and makeup (if you have a team member with you) to look around and get image ideas.
Try Not To Chimp
Looking at your camera screen or chimping is when you spend your time looking at the back of your camera display (assuming you have a digital body) and focus less on the actual shoot. This often breaks the flow of the photoshoot. If you do need a break, look between wardrobe changes.
Invest In Lighting
Think outside the lighting box. A big rule of thumb is not to not rush lighting setups. This is crucial even outdoors, with natural light and a reflector. Test out lighting on your subjects before you start your photoshoot. If all of your images lack proper lighting, they won't look great. It's that simple. Take some time to evaluate your options and light your scene properly!