Essential Tips for a Successful Fashion Photoshoot

Did you know fashion photography is by far the most team-orientated genre of photography? Today we will go over tips to help you to not only be prepared and organised from your end, but expand upon your ability to work within a team in a frantic environment.

Essential Tips for a Successful Fashion Photoshoot

COMMUNICATION

Communication is the most important aspect of any team work.

Clear vision

Having a clear idea and the ability to communicate it is crucial when planning a fashion shoot. Think about this: some photoshoots involve a photographer, a model, and a makeup artist; other shoots can be more complex and involve a photographer, a photo assistant, a hair stylist, a makeup artist, a stylist, an art director and a crowd of models (and more, depending on a client, budget, and the purpose of the fashion shoot). In order to get the results you or your client want, every member of your creative team should be on the same page regarding the shoot’s goals. If people are confused or have different ideas about what’s the final images should look like – the process will be stressful, rushed and generally messy.

One of the best ways of communicating your creative vision are mood boards. If you’re the one organising a shoot, the easiest way to communicate your ideas is visually. Include as much information as you possibly can in your mood board. Have different sections for location, wardrobe, posing, lighting, makeup and hair, styling. Include images that inspire you, descriptions, notes, anything to help convey your idea.

If someone else is in charge of organising the shoot, ASK for a mood board and try to gather as much info about the upcoming fashion project as possible.

Opinion

It’s a team work, and everyone’s opinion is equally important. Communicate if you’re not happy, or you want to improve something.

Expectations

If it’s a styled fashion shoot, or a mutually beneficial collaboration then everyone should get what they want from the shoot. Feel free to check out my guide to planning a styled shoot. It’s always a good idea to have a written agreement. It doesn’t have to be made by a lawyer: you can simply list any expectations that your creative team might have following the photoshoot. At a minimum include the amount of final edited images, delivery time, and any payment if it’s applicable.

PREPARATION

Preparation is the key when it comes anything really. Don’t get me wrong, improvising and getting creative on the spot is awesome and sometimes works even better than a plan. However when it comes to a paid gig, for you to ensure a successful fashion photoshoot I would recommend to plan ahead and be prepare for everything, even unexpected.

Location limitations

Let’s say you’re planning an outdoor fashion shoot. Then for everything to run smoothly you will need to consider a couple of things:

• where the makeup and hair will be done;
• if there is a plumbing facility nearby that your team can use during the photoshoot;
• the time of the day for the best lighting;
• whether the shoot location is a popular (crowded) spot;
• if you need to get a permission to shoot in your desired location, and so on.

Here’s also a quick comparison of the things to consider when planning your photoshoot in a studio vs. on location.

Photoshoot mechanics

If you are a makeup artist or a hair stylist, find out as much information about the upcoming shoot as possible. Check what kind of lighting will be used during the shoot, as certain types of light will affect how the makeup looks in the images (i.e. coloured gels, hard light showing more texture of the skin).

Preparation also helps with confidence. When you know what to expect you’re confident that you will be able to do it. Project confidence that you know what you’re doing (even if you don’t). If you are ever in doubt, ask for feedback and check with the client/art director/photographer if what you’re doing works with the overall concept.

TIMING

There’s nothing worse than rushing while being creative. Stress kills creativity and inspiration. So here’s another important element of a successful fashion photoshoot – planning your time wisely.

Create a schedule and follow it

Create a schedule for the shooting day and stick to it. It might be useful to have a designated person to keep an eye on the schedule and remind the creative team about the time. Plan ahead how long it will take to apply makeup for each look, style the hair, change outfits, shoot each look, and set reminders.

Progression

Plan fashion looks from simple to more elaborate. A makeup artist can build the looks from natural, to more dramatic without having to take everything off and start from scratch. This will save so much time on the day of the shoot, as well as makeup products.

STICKING AROUND THROUGHOUT THE SHOOT

Photographers have some much to pay attention to during a shoot: camera settings, angles, posing, lighting… Having experts on the set is invaluable in order to make sure final images looks great. Lipstick smears, clothes get wrinkled, foundation melts under hot lights… For example, a makeup artist can be a critical eye noticing makeup issues as they occur and fixing them on the spot.

Tethering camera to a monitor is a great way to let everyone in the creative team see the images as they come so they can suggest any corrections. Remember, the more work can be done on an images before it’s taken, the less work and time it will require in the post-production.

RESPECT FOR THE CREATIVE TEAM

This tip is common sense, though I feel it needs to be addressed. Teamwork is about everyone’s input on the final images. Though we are all artists and have own visions and styles, don’t let your ego stand in the way of project’s productivity. Trust me, every single member of a creative team wants the final photos look the best way they can be. Working in a team is not a competition, but a way for everyone to add something unique to the table and improve our work.

This is all for this week. I hope these tips help you ensure a successful fashion photoshoot, whether it’s for a client or a styled fashion shoot for your portfolio. Speak soon!