How would you change direction

Tricky one isn‘t it?

If I would like to shoot fashion for my next shoot, I wouldn‘t have any images in that genre. I wouldn‘t claim to be fashion Photographer either. So there are only two choices left. Will you give it a go or try to get someone experienced.

I would give it a go. Maybe they have a different approach and a fresh style you might profit from?

Theta Aeterna I hear and agree with you, except, I would be looking at how the photographer shoots their subjects. Your work has many fashion elements to it, even though you do nude shoots.

To be honest, I don't think it would have anything to do with your casting. It's perhaps down to one of two things:

1. As much as I hate saying it, the probability is that the majority people who contacted you are essentially chancers, GWCs, people who probably didn't read the casting properly, looked at your portfolio pics and thought that they could get not just fashion but higher levels too (not saying nude or adult or anything, but perhaps swimwear).

2. The photographers who contacted you for the most part may want to do fashion, but simply either hasn't uploaded many, or shot much and want to expand, or chose to post less fashion because, to be honest, more people here like seeing higher levels pics than fashion pics, and the photographers who contacted you wants more traffic on their portfolios.

At the end of the day, even if a photographer replies to your casting, but doesn't have much fashion on their portfolio, it is still worth seeing the quality of their work, along with their references etc... They could actually be very good for fashion shots but just don't post that much, and could still be worth your while*

*Except the one who wouldn't share examples. That's just stupid.

Starglider Photography I agree with you. However, I didn't want to be judgemental on here, but honestly, the accounts that applied were never going to be able to do fashion style images. The quality was really poor.

MaristarOxley said

Starglider Photography I agree with you. However, I didn't want to be judgemental on here, but honestly, the accounts that applied were never going to be able to do fashion style images. The quality was really poor.

Then very simply, try again. Or perhaps reach out to photographers whose work you do like directly and offer your idea to them. Perhaps someone will respond.

I think some people think just photographing a model with clothes on is "fashion photography" and that's why some may think they will be able to do it without experience.

In reality, fashion photography required skills and creativity and you definitely want to see examples of previous work.

I shoot mostly portraiture and fashion, but in more recent years architecture and interior design. I didn't just suddenly become an architectural photographer, I learned different skills and a different way of photography altogether, walked around and practiced, got different equipment etc and now I am able to take on those jobs because I do have a portfolio of that genre.

Different genres of photography require different ways of shooting.

Interesting topic... Especially on PP where the word "fashion" is mostly used to indicate that a model shoots with clothes on (as opposed to nude), which has nothing to do with real "fashion"... As an example, rates for "fashion" are always the cheapest on PP when in real life agencies (meaning not on PP) fashion models are always the most expensive ones... This being said it's important to keep in mind that fashion photography category is extremely poor on PP.

Things to consider imho:

- are you talking about commercial fashion (e-commerce for example) or artistic fashion (where the point is create style and not to sell anything or promote a brand) ? Even further, are you talking "editorial fashion", "high fashion", "catwalk fashion", "lifestyle fashion" ? This is the first thing to clarify...

- what is fashion to you ? a matter of clothes and design ? a matter of posing ? a matter of lighting ? Are you thinking studio work ? Outdoors work ?

- there is often a confusion between artistic fashion and portrait. For example, I consider myself a fashion photographer (more than 75% of my works are artistic fashion shoots) but most people say I do portraits of women wearing clothes (certainly because they think fashion can only be commercial)... What do you think about this ? If you check my folio, do you feel like I do fashion or portrait ? Answering this might help defining your own vision about this... Another example, do you think Peter Coulson is a Fashion photographer ?

- to me fashion is all about attitude and natural elegance... it's not clothes related... Do you feel the same way or not ?

- what is your goal ? Being photographed wearing outfits that you bought specifically or create style with anything and pose with fashion attitude ?

- why don't you have a moodboard showing what you are talking about for fashion ? So that togs can easily understand what you mean... Or use Pinterest ?

Answering such questions might help defining your project more accurately. Remember that on PP, many words have a different meaning than in agencies or the rest of the world... "Glamour" for example is mostly used in reference to "Page 3 glamour girls" which has absolutely nothing glamourous (as of hollywood glamour)... Same for fashion...

Edited by Guillaume de Lafontaine - DWAMPIX

Holly Alexander Photography said

I think some people think just photographing a model with clothes on is "fashion photography" and that's why some may think they will be able to do it without experience.

In reality, fashion photography required skills and creativity and you definitely want to see examples of previous work.

I shoot mostly portraiture and fashion, but in more recent years architecture and interior design. I didn't just suddenly become an architectural photographer, I learned different skills and a different way of photography altogether, walked around and practiced, got different equipment etc and now I am able to take on those jobs because I do have a portfolio of that genre.

Different genres of photography require different ways of shooting.

Fashion is one of those genres where too many people will assume it’s easy because they know how to use a camera (allegedly.) I would argue that evidence of understanding of light, directing models and composition skills would be a better indicator than simple portrait competency.

So I’m not saying that someone who mostly shoots nudes can’t do fashion but the skills aren’t necessarily the obvious ones.

Starglider Photography I usually find photographers on Instagram, but I always have some hope on here😀. I posted this on here to have more of a conversation, rather than a solution.

Well on the plus side Marista, at least you got some responses.

I assure you it works both ways, when I put up a casting the great majority of applicants are completely unsuitable; a good proportion have not even read the casting (conversation goes something like this: "Fantastic port - I'd love to be considered for your casting!" - "but you are 300 miles away and you don't shoot nudes?" ...long silence....)

The best way to move into another genre is TFP. Don't bother casting, but search portfolios till you find someone who can do it well. Ask yourself if you are somewhere near the standard they would look for in a model, and if the answer is yes, reach out. Pay them if really necessary (but boy, they'd have to be good - there are loads of people here who'd do it TF). If I wanted to shoot fashion I'd seek out a superb, versatile model with a good wardrobe - someone like Jasmine High comes to mind - find myself a great location and invest in a shoot to generate a fashion portfolio. You might need to repeat this a few times to get a good range of decent quality pics.

I don't want to put down photographers or models who'd like to "have a go", and sometimes you get lucky - but it's probably best to assume that you'd get better results with someone who has a track record and act accordingly.

I think you have to judge it first on the quality of the work on their port meaning camera work or editing , is it good enough for you. Is the quality itself good for you ? Ok now you have asked yourself after that , do they have fashion examples ? If not , does that mean they will turn up and try to push you for something else? Not necessarily so, so you either give them a go or not.

I approach models for fashion work but I think I honestly overall have a good balanced portfolio and my portfolio at no point had been heavily artnude. I probably had 1 artnude and another implied with more fashion and could still be rejected. I think sometimes models just don't want to give photographers a chance or are holding out for a pay deal and that's their right

Though it could be annoying I just keep on doing my thing.

Edited by Wondrous

Holly Alexander Photography I think they were chancers to be honest. Unless I show the examples of the applications, I cannot express how much the photographers were not right and would not ever be right. The style you shoot has an understanding of fashion and style. Doing architectural shoots for you is actually a lovely transition as you have quality pictures and a sense of composition.

MaristarOxley thank you, and yes you can tell straight away from a portfolio of it's definitely not a good match.

Are you asking how you would change direction or the photographers?

Your casting was for "fashion led" which if I understand correctly is more about showing off the outfits than the model. You seem to have experience in the field so I don't really see it as a change in direction so much as gaining experience in the genre.

If you're asking how a photographer can convince you they can change direction then as people have said you need to judge on the qualities you see in their work. As a mere hobbyist I shoot nude & erotic as a preference but I also enjoy the "challenge" of trying different genres as I'd hate to appear a "one trick pony". I have a "clothed & lifestyle" album which I hope illustrates this, but I'm far from a "fashion" photographer, especially in the commercial sense. If I answered a "fashion" casting I hope my images would give an idea of my abilities (or lack of) but obviously it depends on what the person posting the casting requires.

Edited by B17fan

Guillaume de Lafontaine - DWAMPIX Yes, most people on PP assume that Fashion is simply being clothed. It was not always like this on here.

As for categories within the Fashion umbrella, it would make no difference to the casting as they don't even has a general concept of what it means anyway.

Guys love Peter Coulson for some reason. My references are the photographers like Sarah Moon, Lindbergh, Avedon, Tim Walker, Lategan...

My approach to Fashion is that it's an attitude. The clothes are part of the shoot, but you can have a fashion nude. The attitude overall is the key.

In terms of my casting, which I'm not looking for answers to , I don't think the mood board would have any meaning if the photographers themselves are not interested in it. I have been stung before with photographers saying in a casting that they will do fashion and when I turn up, they say I'm not right for fashion and should consider topless instead and get good money. I'm an agency model ( for over 20 years)