An inevitable task of any fashion designer is the photoshoot! There is a guaranteed photoshoot to plan at least once per season for your collections. The goal is to prepare as much in advance so that the shoot is seamless and goes by very quickly! I have my second photoshoot coming up this weekend and thought I would share my process…
First, you need to determine your budget. Don’t be afraid to shop around to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck! Also, if you are just starting out and only have a few dollars {or no money} to spare, don’t fret because there are still ways to get it done! If your budget is limited {or non-existent}, barter with the photographer and prospective team. Ask if they would be willing to participate in your shoot in exchange for the use of the photos for their own portfolios {also referred to as “TFP”, meaning “time for prints”}. There are others that are up and coming as well and just want to get their names out there! Also, visit local beauty schools to find help for your photoshoot. Many of these students are just as good as professionals, but are much more willing to work in exchange for photos. Regardless of whether you hire a team or are able to secure help for free, be sure to prepare and execute contracts. You want everyone to be held accountable {regardless of whether it is paid or not} and this gives you a little piece of mind that everyone will show up as planned!
Next, you have to figure out the theme of your shoot so that you can convey this to your team and the photographer— will it be at a location? Will it be a basic studio shoot? Will you need props? Will you need extra models?
Next, you have to secure models, a make-up artist, a hair stylist, a wardrobe stylist, and the photographer. You can post a “casting” on Model Mayhem or Craigslist, or you can simply rely on word-of-mouth and recommendations to find your team. For my shoot, I posted a casting on Model Mayhem for my make-up artist and hairstylist, I found my photographer through a recommendation and I’m using a model that I have worked with in the past.
The next fun task is to work with everyone’s schedule to pick the day and time that is most conducive! If you are shooting at a location, you also have to work with the staff at the location to ensure that it is available on your target date!
After you have locked in a date, you have to start preparing the theme and working with your team to nail down the looks. If you are shooting at a location/ using a theme, you have to secure any props that you will need and also visit the space where you will be shooting to make sure that it fits the theme. I will be doing a basic studio photoshoot; so, fortunately, I only have to secure accessories for the styling! A part of your budget is also finding accessories for styling. I would suggest Etsy, thrift stores, and vintage stores to keep your costs low {but you will also find unique items}. Once you get all of your accessories, photograph each dress and accessory {separately}. Then, create a board that can be used to match accessories with dresses so that everything is organized on shoot day. Since this mine is a basic studio shoot, one uniform hair and make-up look was chosen. For our first shoot, 3 hair choices and 2 make-up looks were used. Although the end result was great, it took too long to transition from look-to-look on shoot day…so, keep this in mind!
A week or so prior to shoot day, make sure all of your garments are cleaned and pressed. Also, touch base with your team to ensure that they have everything they will need on shoot day…and be sure to provide the location address and directions as well as contact information for yourself {or your point of contact on shoot day} if you haven’t already done so. Discuss any last many details with the photographer and choose your package in advance. Make sure you discuss {prior to the shoot} what you are getting— how will you receive the photos? What is the turnaround time? Will the photos be retouched? How many photos will you be able to choose? This is important because you don’t want to have to deal with this on shoot day. This also helps the photographer plan how many shots s/he will be taking during the shoot.
The models…you have to be as specific as possible and don’t leave anything up to chance! Tell your models what to bring— do they need to bring shoes or accessories? Tell them what color undergarments to wear…if your pieces are neutrals or pastels, recommend that they were black or nude undergarments so that they aren’t visible through the clothing. If you are photographing Spring or Summer clothing, tell them to shave or wax. Many women make this a part of the daily regimen, but there are some women that don’t. So, just make sure that you request this in advance! Tell them to arrive fresh face with no make-up and also with clean and dry hair. Also, tell them to come alone— they should not bring a friend or spouse. The more people that you’ll have on-set that don’t need to be there, the more distractions and the longer the shoot! Lastly, make sure that they come with either a button-up or zip-up shirt. Things will be moving quickly and they need to be able to easily get in and out of their shirt without messing up their hair and make-up.
The day has arrived— now, what to expect? Before heading to the shoot, make sure that you have everything that you will need. The worst thing that you can do is hold up the shoot because you left something that you have to now go retrieve! Make sure all of your garments are protected in garment bags {you don’t want to find any stains once you reach the shoot location} and accessories in clear baggies. If the location does not have a garment rack or steamer, I would suggest taking these along with you. Be sure to bring extra hangers, pins, safety pins, needle and thread, scissors, tape, and anything else that you keep in your “tool box”. Once you reach the location, get the model(s) started with hair and make-up. Then, hang up your garments and carefully steam them. Once the model {or first model} is done with hair and make-up, have her/him gets dressed…then, send him/her into the shoot area. If you are comfortable with your photographer’s direction, then stand back and let him/her work his/her magic! If you have multiple models, have them get changed as soon as they are done with hair and make-up and then send them in to the photographer.
Once the shoot concludes, be sure to make any payments and confirm package choices/ delivery of photos with the photographer. Make sure that you leave with everything that you came with! Typically, you can expect to receive your photos in 1-3 weeks. Once you receive them, don’t forget to send copies to those that you promised them to {i.e. models, make-up artist, hair stylist, etc.}.
Hopefully, you’ll use my tips and plan in advance to ensure that you have a great shoot!
shopaikan 