Fashion photography is a popular model photographer genre of photography, but it's also very competitive. Understanding the many styles of fashion photography can provide you with the edge you need to both comprehend the sector and impress potential clients with your photographs.
The various types of fashion photography are, in a nutshell:
Photography for Catalogs
Editorial Fashion High Fashion Street Fashion
However, each style has its own quirks, much like any other genre. Here's a rundown of the four styles, along with some of their nuances:
Photography for Catalogs
The simplest of the four fashion photography types is catalogue photography. Its goal is to sell clothing, and the outfit is the focal point. It's an excellent location to start in the realm of fashion photography before moving on to other types of photography.
Product photography is a sort of catalogue photography. The presence of a model is the only real difference between catalogue and product photography. Despite this, the attention is still on the apparel.
The photographs' backgrounds are usually plain–the most common hues are white and grey. There are few props and only a few accessories. To show off the attire, the models usually stand up straight, though they may assume other stances to highlight elements such as pockets.
Fashion Photography at its Finest
People commonly see high fashion on the covers of their favourite magazines. However, high fashion includes well-known supermodels in frequently exaggerated poses, a sometimes ridiculous attire, and all components, including hairstyles and setting, mixed to make a flawless image from the photographer's perspective.
However, achieving that immaculate appearance is a difficult task. You're continually faced with tough decisions about location, lighting, models, clothes, hair, and so on. Even if much of it has been decided for you, you must still put it all together in a way that appears gorgeous and enticing.
One of the first things you should do is think about the vibe you want to convey through the shoot. It's not necessary to be overly detailed, and you don't have to stay to it if inspiration takes you somewhere else, but it's a nice place to start.
For your shot, you'll also need the perfect model. You want someone who is not just experienced, but also willing to work with you to achieve the desired mood. You'll need a solid team in addition to the model.
You'll want folks that are both capable and responsible. Makeup, clothing, and hair styling should all be handled by specialists. It also helps if they share your vision for the project as well as your appreciation for the art of photography in general.
If you have a choice of locations, think about the vibe you're trying to achieve once more. There are also practical issues, such as whether your venue requires a permit and, if it is indoors, whether you require permission.
There's also the equipment to consider. Along with a good camera, you'll need lighting equipment. You'll want a camera that's lightweight, has a long battery life, and has low-light functions. You'll also need a variety of lenses to capture a variety of photographs.
Fashion Photography on the Street
Urban fashion, often known as street fashion, is frequently considered the polar opposite of haute fashion. Alternative fashion is a subset of street fashion–grunge and hip-hop are examples of trends that subsequently became mainstream street fashion.
The looks of street fashion are more rough than those of haute fashion. It consists of items that individuals wear on a daily basis, such as jeans, shirts, and hoodies. It also covers dresses that are attractive in appearance but not in comfort.
Rather than models, photographers that specialise in this approach frequently photograph average people on the street. However, you must be cautious while obtaining permission to photograph individuals on the street. As countless street fashion photographers will attest, the rules aren't always apparent.
Most of the time, it's not just about what someone is wearing on the street; it's also about their expression, how confident they appear, the light, and how what they're wearing emphasises their attitude.
Most photographers use a longer lens to take street fashion images. They'll be able to take images from a distance without making people feel uncomfortable about the session. The fact that some of the best fashion trends can be found on the street merely goes to demonstrate that you can find them everywhere!
Fashion Editorial Photography
This is story-driven fashion photography. Editorial fashion photography can be seen in publications such as magazines and newspapers. The photographs are frequently accompanied by writing, which might cover a wide range of topics.
Editorial fashion images can tell a tale in and of itself, or they can imply a fascinating past. Editorial fashion photographs are frequently part of a theme or concept, or they may be related to a specific designer or model.
The idea is to provide a specific tone for the storey to unfold. These images could feature a single brand or numerous brands, as well as a variety of photographic approaches ranging from close-ups to long-distance shots.
That means different types of photographs will necessitate different equipment as well as different cosmetics, clothes, and hairstyles on your models. There will almost certainly be a variety of props.
Despite the difficulties, editorial photography is one of the most rewarding fashion photography genres since it allows for more creativity.
These four styles can offer you an idea of the various possibilities in the subject of fashion photography if you're thinking about it as a career. Of course, like with any genre, you'll need the necessary equipment, but once you have that, there are a variety of styles from which to choose. It all boils down to determining which style best suits your needs and interests.
Catalog photography can be your bread and butter while you pursue a career in editorial photography, which allows you more creative freedom. Perhaps supermodels from the world of high fashion are more your thing. If not, it's possible that the real-life photographs of individuals on the street are to blame. Whatever the case may be, the world of fashion photography, while difficult, can be quite rewarding.