Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Fashion Photography Career

Source (Google.com.pk)
Fashion Photography Career Biography
Fashion is one of the most vibrant and exhilarating areas of professional photography. Though only a few top photographers live up to the glamorous image of overseas travel, exotic locations and beautiful models, there is continuous demand across the industry for originality and innovation. Photographers who understand fashion trends and can deliver striking images that sell the look and style of the clothes are much in demand and can command considerable fees.

Fashion photographs are commissioned for a variety of publications, ranging from mail-order catalogues to high-fashion magazines and Sunday supplements. Their working methods, as well as the creative skills required, vary accordingly. Fashion Photographers often work within a team, which includes art directors, editors and other creative support staff.

What is the job?
It is the Fashion Photographer's job not only to photograph garments but also to interpret the underlying ideas and associations suggested by the season, the range of clothes, the designer or the design brand. Fashion Photographers work both in studios and on location to produce imaginative and eye-catching photographs that illustrate and advertise clothes, accessories and lifestyle. They need to understand each client's brand image, the various end uses of images, and be able to work closely with other creative people to fulfil the brief. Fashion Photographers usually work in busy studios, and must have sufficient experience and composure to operate effectively under pressure.

High Fashion and Magazine Photographers work from their own studios, on location, or occasionally, in a studio supplied by their clients. They must be innovative and artistic with an intense interest in - and knowledge of - the latest fashion trends, as well as the history of fashion, art and fashion photography. They must also cultivate and maintain top-level contacts within the fashion industry and the fashion publishing business. The material rewards for these photographers can be extremely high; however, the fashion world can be fickle and photographers need to continually refresh their visual style to avoid being seen as passé. High Fashion Photographers must therefore use all their charm and interpersonal skills to communicate their passion and creative vision to a very demanding and sophisticated audience.

Mail-order Catalogue Photographers work with a variety of models and situations, representing the style and features of clothes as accurately and stylishly as possible. They are usually employed by photographic or design studios and may spend days, or weeks, working on a single range of clothing, producing enough photographs each day to fill many catalogue pages. These photographers must work quickly and economically for which they receive a monthly salary and paid holidays. They enjoy the benefits of regular employment, but rarely earn as much as High Fashion or Magazine Photographers.

Typical career routes
Many Fashion Photographers start out by assisting an established photographer and learn on the job (see the Job Profile for Assistant Photographer). This can provide invaluable experience, offering the photographer the opportunity to meet clients, art directors, models, etc., to hear their discussions with photographers, and to understand the details of the preparation, execution and presentation necessary to the job.

Essential knowledge and skills
Fashion Photography requires more than a passing interest in fashion trends. Photographers need to immerse themselves totally in the world of fashion and develop outstanding creative and technical skills that will give their photographs individual character and style. They should also be prepared to experiment and explore new ideas and techniques in their own time, and acquire the level of social and interpersonal skills appropriate to their particular area of operation. They should also be capable of sourcing props and accessories.

Magazine Photographers supply fashion photographs to weekly or monthly magazines, daily newspapers and weekend supplements. They need strong creative and technical skills in order to follow and interpret the picture editor's brief. Excellent management and interpersonal skills are also required, to maintain publishing contacts and arrange the efficient organisation of the studio or location. Magazine Photographers often work via an agency, with the agent taking responsibility for marketing the photographers' work and securing assignments, on a percentage commission basis.


High Fashion Photographers operate in the upper echelons of the fashion world. They are often high-profile and highly-paid photographers who work either from their own studio, or from a rented studio or location. Their success and elevation to this role is based on experience and track record. This is often the result of years of hard work, during which time these photographers have cultivated a wide range of technical and visual skills, and influential contacts within the industry. High Fashion Photographers are normally expected to select their own team of assistants and specialists, including stylists, set-builders, scene-painters and models. These photographers are dedicated, hard-working professionals who need to produce unique and innovative images that will not only satisfy their clients' visualisation, but also communicate the zeitgeist of the time. To work in this area demands considerable ambition and dedication since the day seldom ends with the last photograph, and High Fashion Photographers must often continue networking and making new contacts by attending media events and social functions.
Catalogue Photographers need to be good employees and reliable team players. They should be hard-working and able to maintain employers' confidentiality agreements. They must have good communication and organisational skills and be able to control studio or location situations where the photographer, assistants, models, stylists, make-up artists and hairdressers all need to work together towards a common goal. They need outstanding technical skills, and must work closely and quickly to fulfil the client's and designer's creative brief.
There are National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Photo Imaging. These give a detailed breakdown of the knowledge, awareness and skills needed to effectively carry out a particular job role. The NOS relevant to this job are listed at the end of this profile.

Training and qualifications
Some colleges and universities offer courses that specialise in fashion photography and employ established photographers as visiting lecturers. These courses provide a sound photographic grounding, and should give the potential Fashion Photographer an idea of what is involved. However working as an Assistant is probably the best preparation for the reality of the fashion world (see the Job Profile for Assistant Photographer). This role offers new entrants the opportunity to meet clients, art directors, models, stylists and make-up artists, to hear their discussions with photographers, and to understand the details of the preparation, execution and presentation necessary to the job.

Many practitioners start out by assisting an established photographer and learn on the job. Employers may support work-based qualifications, such as Apprenticeships and NVQ/SVQs. Photo Imaging NVQ/SVQs are currently available at levels 2, 3 and 4.

Membership of a professional association such as the Association of Photographers (AOP) or the British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) may also be beneficial.

Health & Safety - Photographers are likely to be subject to physical stresses from carrying heavy camera equipment and lighting indoors and out, in all seasons, come rain or shine. They should therefore seek advice about appropriate techniques for lifting and moving equipment. In addition, they need to understand Health & Safety legislation and be capable of assessing and managing the risks and potential dangers associated with the use of electrical lighting, equipment and props. They should also ensure that they have a current Public Liability insurance policy to cover their working practices.

Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career
Fashion Photography Career

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