1.06.2016

What Skills Does A Clothing Photographer Need?

By Marie Barnes


To photograph apparel is totally different to taking pictures of landscapes or other objects. As a clothing photographer, you are required to have a particular skill set, where you need to be able to understand movement as well as structure. You need to know at the end of the day exactly what your image is saying to the person looking at it.

A photographer of this kind may actually be working with the designers of the garments in question to create an image. In such cases, it's very important to have a firm understanding of what the designer envisions for the outcome of any images including their designs. It is key to bear in mind at all times the designer's aesthetic and brand image.

First of all, a photographer must establish what type of clothing is being photographed. A red carpet gown, for example, will be photographed very differently to active wear. This is in terms of the setting, the model used, the expressions, the poses and many other aspects.

Photography of apparel may be done in a studio or on location as is required or necessary for the particular item. The advantage of shooting in a studio is that the lighting can be controlled. Lighting is a huge component towards capturing the perfect shot, as it contributes to the best possible depiction of the outfit, which is exactly what the designer would want.

Shooting on location, however, is very good for shots that require ambiance or atmosphere. This is relevant to apparel that needs the additional selling point. For example, swimwear becomes even more attractive when the model is positioned in a beach or pool setting, or something tropical to convey the concept of vacation and relaxation. Sporting apparel sells better when photographed in motion or in action.

Bear in mind, though, that not all clothing needs to be photographed in a way that says what it is for. If you are good at what you do, you can use elements like juxtaposition to make a statement that stands out from the rest. Putting garments in environments that they would not normally appear in can be quite an interesting concept, and would set a designer's work apart from the norm.

Someone photographing clothing may not be doing so in a photo shoot style setting at all. In fact, many photographers of apparel do so directly from the runway, particularly during fashion weeks around the world. They photograph from what is commonly known as the 'pit', often located at the very front of the runway where models stop to pose. A good photographer will take numerous pictures of the same outfit to ensure a wide range of choice and expression, as well as movement, in order to capture the perfect runway moment.

Runway photography is very important in fashion. It requires that you as the photographer understand timing and movement, as well as angles, in order to capture the perfect shot that will sell the outfit to the consumer. This is your chance to make a basic item look stellar and create sales for a designer.




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