As an experienced photographer shooting many editorial fashion and portraiture sessions, sometimes couples ask me about the world of fashion photography and how I apply it to the world of wedding photography.
To better answer this question, it helps to understand the process of a fashion shoot.
In a fashion shoot, the set of finished images is critical to not just the photographer, but also the client, the model agency, the model, and the creative team (consisting of the makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and the hairstylist). The success of the final images depends on the vision of the photographer and his/her ability to properly communicate that vision both artistically and technically. Beyond just my skills behind the camera, I have to match the theme of shoot to the model that I cast, the story, and the location, often with a storyboard/Pinterest board well before the shoot. Even seemingly minute details such as the hairstyle or the makeup style has to be carefully selected to help elevate the images in helping communicate the story of the shoot. This attention to detail includes studying and choosing the right location and lighting for a pleasing colour palette that enhances the visual language of the images.
Hashing Out the Makeup Styling while Consulting the Inspiration Images
During the prep of the shoot itself, the selection of and matching of the wardrobe becomes an important consideration, especially since the clothing may not fit the model in the way that was imagined, or the initial selection of clothing may not be as well-coordinated as imagined. When the shoot itself is underway, I evaluate the level of experience of the model and provide direction if necessary. However, I am careful to balance the amount and type of direction that I give to the model so that the images and the model still look and feel alive. Although it may be preferable for some styles of photography, the last thing that I want is for my subjects to look like mannequins! All of this happens on the shoot while paying close attention to flattering lighting (if shooting outdoors with changing conditions and angles) and to details like fly-aways in the hair.
Wardrobe Changes on a Fashion Shoot
When the shoot is over, I spend a considerable amount of time to finesse the images in their colour rendition to elevate their visual quality. After all, photography is an artistic medium, and the role of colour is very important in the visual arts.
Throughout this whole process, I examine the theme and the many technical and creative considerations of the images very closely. The images from these shoots must meet a very high bar. After all, the clients of a fashion shoot are all seasoned creatives that are exposed to excellent imagery daily. This differs from more casual clients who may love photography, but do not have the same type of exposure to formulate the same very high bar. At the end of the day, the rigorous process and top-tier demands from fashion photography gives me a high level of expertise in creating beautiful images at your wedding, from knowing how to work professionally with makeup artists and hairstylists to giving just the right amount of direction in the shoot to editing the images just right. And, in an age where cameras are so accessible to many people, my years of experience in the rigorous world of fashion photography will certainly help differentiate and elevate your wedding beyond what you can expect from typical wedding photography creatives.
On Set with a Model in the Studio
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