Research is of utmost importance when planning a fashion photography shoot, with leading brand fashion magazines and their websites as one’s focal point. The photographs that appeal to one’s sense of Toronto style in fashion should be studied in detail, such as the form of the model, the clothing, the location and the lighting. Strive to find out why the clothing is styled and photographed as it appears. The rationale behind these photographs will aid in the creation of strikingly resonant images. The best examples of photographs one admires for their attributes will always remind one of one’s goals.
After a stint of fashion photography shooting, one’s productivity will be enhanced through working with a trusted team and with time, they will come to comprehend one’s style of working and one’s aesthetic preferences. With
greater latitude of budget and time, one will have the power to shuffle or add on to their team.
As a competitive industry, the Toronto fashion world is a cutthroat business not only for photographers, but also for stylists, models, makeup artists and hairstylists will sometimes work without charge in place of digital images and prints for their own portfolios. The final output of the collaboration could be of high quality, but remember smaller teams count for fewer hassles. Being able to articulate one’s vision verbally bodes well for the final product, through team cohesion.
Community posts aid immensely in getting word out, communicating details on the photography business, through online groups, photo labs and bulletin boards. This will help build important connections, as well as identify potential project opportunities, quality equipment, sales and studio rentals. It is also advisable to respect others, as down the road they might be of use for the advancement of one’s fashion photography career.
Toronto Schools of fashion design harbor young talent that is eager to be exposed and this can be a good area to source apprentices. The industries major players can at times be found at modeling agencies, along with their detailed profiles. Test shoots can also have models that are less experienced, as well as up, coming make-up, and hair artist.
Simple equipment loads are highly recommended, as some less experienced models may be intimidated at the sight of some equipment for instance, high-powered strobe lights. In the case where equipment needs troubleshooting, complicated setups could be detrimental to the task. Firstly, in one’s fashion photography shoot, one needs some equipment for instance, a reflector disk, a tripod and a film or digital SLR camera may be adequate.
The basics of lighting apply to daylight hours, where dusk and dawn are the most favorable times for flattering light. Midday shoots; yield facial shadows due to the harsh lighting. Shooting either later or earlier in the day and with the use of a fill light creating reflector, produces some favorable results.
Studio shots are inevitable, for one’s fashion photography portfolio at least. The use of artificial lighting is sought after in some projects, so one’s range will require one to rent some space. Compelling project narratives are best conveyed through a series of photographs and the inspiration may come from not only the fashion industry, but also the wider Toronto area.