I’ve always loved fashion from the minute I started stepping into stores and realising I could express myself by buying clothes with different colours and styles. I could put them together and create, shape and form a narrative for myself. But when I started pairing it with photography a little over 2 years ago I realised it’s a different ball game, one could say there are no limits. 

Kindly asked me if I had any tips for him entering the world of fashion and since I’ve been shooting a lot of fashion editorials recently, I thought the best way to help is to put all of the gems in one place for him, myself (to look back on), and anyone else who wants to learn more!

I’ll cover these three topics; how to get started, how to have a great shoot, and what comes after a shoot!

How To Get Started

I think it’s safe to stay you need a camera first of all (nothing fancy just don’t show up with a phone) and after that, I’d suggest coming up with ideas of what exactly you’d like your first shoot to be before you approach a model and ask them “let’s shoot!” because you’re the one holding the camera, you’re the one with the responsibility to bring the idea/vision to life so if you have no idea, you’re already on a rocky start my friend! 

A wise teacher of mine told us that if you’re not happy with how the photo turns out, it’s on you. Try another angle, direct the model better, it will be worth it in the end!

Create a Pinterest mood board, save photos you like on Instagram/Facebook into its own folder titled ‘Inspo’ or rip out pages of magazines and put them around where you can see them. If you’re a writer/brainstormer like me, I usually create a messy page where I throw a bunch of ideas onto it and then pick one or two and challenge myself on what I haven’t done before and do it.

After the idea, create a mood board for the model (once you’re ready and want to jump into working with a team; make-up artist/stylist) you’ll need this so everyone is on board (pun intended) with what’s happening on the day. Basically, it’s a bunch of photos that look, obviously not exactly but similar to what you’re going for. To create one you can use Photoshop (not free) or the following that is free: Canva, BeFunky. If you want to create one on your phone you can use Pic Collage or Pics Art or VSCO. 

Next, you’ll need a model because at this stage you’re friends or family are probably sick of you pointing that lens in their face or some of them love it actually but you’re the one who would like some new faces for a change. 

There are multiple ways of going about this, I’ve met aspiring models from Facebook groups, usually titled TFP which means (Time in exchange for Photos or Prints) which also means everyone involved is in agreement that the photoshoot is unpaid. So… if someone starts asking about payment etc. tell them to get the boat back to the TFP group and unfollow it because they clearly don’t understand what it means!

Not everyone in the group is who they say they are, some people are dodgy and in it for the wrong reasons and some models might turn up looking completely different from how they look online. These are things that I’ve dealt with when starting out but I always take the groups with a grain of salt.

First, you create a post, pick a date and time (the earlier the better from 9am), pick a place. Speaking of places, make sure you have one in mind and you’ve actually been there and gone there with your camera to see how it will look, even add photos of the place to your mood board if it helps. Try not to bring the model to secluded/strange places, it will make them uncomfortable, somewhere open works. Attach your mood board or a snippet of it so no one else steals the whole concept and watch the messages come through! 

Suggestions: Botanical Garden, Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park, St.Stephen’s Green Rooftop (you might get kicked out but it’s a good spot to grab a few quick shots!) and the Docklands!

Make sure your responses are timely, clear and informative and please don’t go overboard with the emojis, from the messages you’ll know which people are interested and which are not (go with your gut feeling) when you share your mood board, ask the model/everyone what they think (it’s a team effort) do they love it, dislike it or want to add to it!

You can also find people on Instagram, same structure applies and it’s probably easier because you can see their face easily instead of going onto someone’s Facebook page to see it clearly. You can also message/email model agencies in your area and ask if they would allow you to shoot with their ‘new faces’ (models who they just recently signed don’t have a portfolio) and when you shoot with them it’s called a test shoot. Lastly, I’ve also found models on the street by going up to them and simply asking if they’d like to do a photoshoot because they have the look I’m going for and now one of them is actually on the cover of a magazine and I feel like a proud mom!

After you’ve found a model (and/or team) and you’ve all agreed on a date, time, and place. It’s go time. Prep your camera gear especially if it’s a new camera you haven’t used before, please do not bring it on a shoot to test out there and then. You’ll not only take up time (which is the whole point of the TFP shoot) but you will frustrate yourself! 

Make sure you exchange numbers with the crew or make a Whatsapp group chat, this can be used to let everyone know if someone is running late or suddenly can’t make it. Also, let someone know where you’re going because you are going to meet strangers at the end of the day and arrive early at the location nonetheless! 

Introduce each other, make small talk if you need to, get to know each other a little bit during prep time, and then start shooting, which also means take charge and direct everyone kindly!

Summary

- Get familiar with your equipment.

- Print the mood board or have it on your lock screen for easy access.

- Print a release form and bring it on the day of shooting.

- Create a WhatsApp group, exchange numbers.

- Arrive early, if you are late or are going to be for any reason, let them know!