Photographers and Clothing Designers: Success In Team Work

The ever-changing world of fashion design is an extremely competitive business. This is a very crowded corner of the world market. When it comes down to it, there is a very important relationship between a clothing designer and a photographer. The photographer and clothing designer working together can make or break each others careers. It is very important in this industry to choose the right person to work with in order to maximize efficiency, profitability and success. This partnership can be extremely beneficial if approached with a clear understanding of where each party stands.

A clothing designer creates clothing with a certain image in mind. The clothing designer knows the targeted customer base. The clothing may be targeting men or women, or sporty people, or traditional styles, or younger teen styles. When clothes are modeled, it is important that this image gets translated correctly in the pictures. This way the product can attract the attention of the people who are the most probable consumers of the product. The designer needs to express their vision clearly to the photographer. This way, a good photographer can translate that image into the product image and express it to the consumers.

Photography is truly an amazing art form. However, it is also a business. If the photographer is taking pictures for catalogues or magazines or billboards, the images need to meet different standards. The photographer understands these requirements as well as how to capture the designers concept that can really enhance the image of the clothing. It is important that the photographer be given enough space to do the best work possible, but the photographer needs to understand the goals of the designer.

Ultimately, it is extremely important for the photographer and the clothing designer to have a good working relationship. They need to be open and honest with each other. They also need to express their art and their philosophy to each other clearly. Just because one or the other is the best in their particular field does not guarantee that the two will be compatible. Both are artists and both have particular styles. It is important that these styles do not clash to maximize the fruits of the partnership. A very healthy partnership can make both people’s careers. However if the two struggle to see eye to eye, they may fail to reflect beneficially on the final product. This could be disastrous for both careers.

Dot Com: The New Way To Start A Modeling Career

With a little bit of work and research, and the right connections to legitimate photographers, a career or side job as an online model can be lucrative and rewarding. The World Wide Web is the primary means of communication and promotion for businesses, celebrities and brands worldwide. Those who capitalize on a web presence need online models for their websites. Online modeling can provide a viable means of income and exposure. Online models may attend modeling school or enter into the profession without formal training.

With digital cameras and photography, it is easy for models to launch a career online. In addition, most computers have a webcam. It is easy for users to take snapshots of themselves, or arrange self-portraits. Potential models are able to create a professional portfolio to submit to companies and businesses that need online models.  Print and fashion models often must subscribe to certain rigid standards of height, weight and general appearance. But online models can be more versatile. Often, websites want people who look real and relatable, to appeal to their customers or consumers. They also want models who appeal to a wide range of ages and ethnicities. This flexibility allows a person to think about pursuing an online model career far longer than they could think about pursuing a modeling career on the runway, for instance. It is best for online models to follow the same path to work and exposure as models who work in more traditional formats.

Professional photographers may prefer to book models for online formats through legitimate modeling agencies. This would be best for the online model. A verified modeling agency can allow an online model to enter trustworthy networks with a high number of quality jobs. They also can mediate connections to bigger companies and the best photographers. Reputable photographers will be familiar with the particular conventions of online modeling. If you freelance as an online model, it is important to check references for a photographer you meet. You must do this in order to be sure you will be compensated and featured online where you are promised to be featured.

A benefit of online modeling is that their work is easily accessible online. An online model should be able to quickly find other models a photographer has worked with, to view their images online with other models on past shoots. This will give online models a perspective on the photographer’s style before they meet. It can also help to create a connection that can familiarize the photographer and model before they work together.

Studio or Office, Where To Shoot Your Business Portrait

A professional photographer should be willing to do business portraits where the client feels comfortable. A professional will be able to work around little inconveniences. Some businesses may choose to have a portrait taken at their place of business, or they may choose to have on taken at a photography studio. Both options come with several pros and cons involved. The choice should depend on the place of business, and their preference.

 Photographing at a studio has a few pros and cons involved. Studio shots can be easier to edit. Without so much in the background, there is less that might need to be taken out later. There are also fewer hours spent enhancing the portraits. A simple background of any sort may be placed behind the people. However, studio work comes with a few inconveniences. Time is an inconvenience to the business. Were a portrait take at the business, no one would have to step away from his or her work for very long. Studio work requires people to take time and attention away to focus on the studio. If there is no time during a workday, they end up cutting into their social lives.

 Another option is taking a portrait at the actual business. This makes it possible for workers to not have to step away from their work for too long. This also allows the workers to have a small break during their workday, and makes the portrait more personal. This may cause problems though. Taking a portrait at the business may get in the way of the actual business. Workers may not be able to do the work that they would normally do, with the inconvenience of having a photographer there.

The two options vary in their pros and cons. Both have the ability to be both good and bad, depending on the business. With studio portraits, there is more time and the distance from work in taking a portrait. There is also the option for various lighting styles and different backgrounds. With taking the portrait at the business, there is a more professional look, also referred to as environmental portraits. However, there may also be problems with the camera being in the way, causing production to decrease and that annoying co-worker making faces behind the photographer. The choice should be up to the business, and they need to determine which option best fits their needs and also their budget. Having staff pictures taken with the same background, either studio or environmental can make a company website go from meh to wow.  

The Blurry Line Between Fashion and Lingerie Modeling

The most conservative critics believe fashion modeling should only consist of men and women who stay completely covered up. They point to tradition and what is deemed appropriate by society. Yet lately, so many models, particularly women, have been participating in lingerie fashion shows, ads, photos and even video commercials. Such models and their supporters disagree with their conservative counterparts and often point to popular lingerie brands that employ hundreds of tall, statuesque ladies to model their designs. So who’s right? 

Conservatives point to the fact that lingerie crosses the line of decency as some might feel that companies such as Victoria’s Secret place a hurtful stigma of “perfection” on the industry and on women in general. These conservatives argue that it alienates women who many not fit the perception of beauty and totally ostracizes religious and cultural conservatives. Still again, others argue that Victoria’s Secret are quite accepting as their styles and designs fit women of all shapes and sizes. These “modernists” contend that fashion knows no bounds and by that very nature, declare it “non-fashion”.

Let’s not forget the popularity of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show! Based on these drastically different viewpoints, it is clear to see why so many people disagree. In fact, these sides may never agree. In fact, who cares? The bottom line is, what one perceives as fashion is purely up to the observer. Fashion is in the eye of the beholder. Is it following the trend or the status quo? Can one be fashionable if they follow what’s “in”? Or is fashion all about stepping out into a new world, even if it means slipping on something more “risqué?” Or maybe it is about taking it all off? One thing is for sure: this issue will only continue to heat up as we blaze into the future.

It can be generally agreed upon that fashion is more about clothing and style verses overt sexual themes. Compare this to other modeling styles such as eye candy or even glamour. In these styles, models are appealing more to their sexy sides. In contrast to sexier themes, fashion modeling tends to be much more conservative in nature. In fact, there are many other themes that are often said NOT to fall into the category of fashion as well. These include nude modeling, gothic, and even lifestyle modeling. All of these categories draw a hard line to fashion. However, when it comes to lingerie modeling, many are up in arms.

Your Best Foot Forward Is Your HeadShot

You only get one chance to make a first impression. It is very important to make sure that this first impression is a positive one. First impressions can often be difficult to change. These first impressions can take place in many locations. The most obvious, of course, is the face-to-face meeting. But, other first impression could include email, faxes, telephone, and for the actor, it is the headshot. This headshot can be the most important thing in an actor’s bag of tricks. Just as when you meet someone face to face, it is important that the headshots are clear, up to date, and promote you in the best light possible. 

The headshot is the first time that the director or the casting committee sees your face. If these headshots are low quality or vastly outdated, you may be passed over before you even get a chance to enter the room. These headshots should express your personality; these pictures should immediately identify the type of acting role in which you excel. These shots should make the director or casting committee fall in love with you and remember you above all of the other people that they see.

Many people just starting out in acting, and have very little money, therefore is very difficult to invest in an expensive photo session. Do your homework. The most expensive is not always the best choice. You need a photographer that you can trust with your life, because for all intensive purposes, you are. These headshots need to express your personality. A photographer that can bring out the best of your personality will produce the best photos. The photo session needs to be as fun and upbeat as possible. True laughter and happiness will always show in photos. The final product should be high quality and exude professionalism. They should show that you take great pride in yourself and your acting career. 

It is very important that your headshots are kept very current. As said before, these headshots should immediately identify the role that you are auditioning for. An audition for a dramatic part would require a different headshot that an audition for a lighthearted comedy. Your headshot should also represent your current style. If you cut your hair, for example, you should have new headshots taken. Casting directors can become confused and dismayed if they fall in love with your long dark hair, and you walk into the room with short blond hair. The same is true with facial hair and skin tone. These headshots may seem to be a very simple thing, but they can be the most important thing to your budding acting career.

Plus Size Is The New Black

For years the fashion industry has only hired skinny models to market their clothing. The thought process being that the clothes and not the model are what are on display. Women with large breasts, stomachs and behinds would take away from the clothing. That seems like a logical argument except for the fact that the average woman is not model size and perhaps she would like to see how a particular designer's clothing would look on her. This would be a valid argument for hiring more realistic looking models.

In the modeling world a plus-sized model is any woman above a size six. However, in the real world plus-sized is anything above a size 12. Fashion designers are starting to take notice of the plus-sized market as more plus-sized models are appearing in both print and television ad as well as on the runway. Now that women are becoming more vocal about wanting to see more realistic representations on the runway as well as in print ads the fashion industry is starting to take notice and respond to those arguments. It seems only natural that the plus-sized model does not have a greater role in the fashion industry. After all, designers, retailers and department stores generally ignore the plus-sized market. However, women are becoming more educated about what a realistic body type looks like and things are starting to change.

Recently, plus- sized models were represented at London’s fashion week with their own plus-sized fashion weekend. The show came under some scrutiny because while the models were very curvy the clothing that was presented was not what most people would consider plus-sized. Many people even go as far as saying that the term plus-sized is derogatory. Only 13 designers were represented at the plus-sized fashion weekend but that is primarily because the main attraction was London fashion week where skinny girls were the norm.

There are some studies that show that having plus-sized models actually helps to boost body image. In the same manner that young girls read fashion magazines and become depressed because they do not look like the women in the magazines, girls can now see models that look like the average woman looking beautiful and that boost their self-esteem. Many agencies have started hiring more plus-sized models as the demand for advertising plus-sized clothing increases. Some of the larger agencies actually have divisions that specialize in plus-sized models. For example, Ford 12+ Division and Wilhelmina ten20 Division are offspring of other large agencies.  

It is about time that the fashion industry starts to use more plus-sized models and recognize the buying power of the plus-sized segment. Many normal sized and curvy women are turning away from the larger fashion houses and toward small boutiques and 
relatively unknown designers because they are committed to producing quality clothing at an affordable price for the average woman. These obscure fashion shows like the one during London’s fashion week will continue to spring up. Hopefully, one day we will see runways with all different body types represented and clothing that everyone can wear.

Which Came First, The Model or the Actor?

There are numerous actors who have become models, and models who have become actors. Ultimately, modeling is looks-oriented, and while acting requires talent, looks also play a major role. Modeling often requires people to emote and show expression, which is obviously what acting is all about. With this said, it is safe to assume that modeling and acting are intertwined. The rise of high-end designers has meant that red carpets are going to feature tons of actors who are adorned in designer duds. This furthers the crossover between acting and modeling. For aspiring actors or models, keeping one’s options open is important. 

Ashton Kutcher is well known for his work on “That 70s Show”, as well as lots of major motion pictures. However, he was initially known as an underwear model. It was only when he took the plunge into acting that the public saw that he had acting talent. His looks propelled him, but it was his ability to act in both humorous and dramatic roles that kept people interested. Similarly, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was known as a Victoria’s Secret model. Her acting debut in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” was the start of a new facet to her career. Her next film will be 2014’s Mad Max: Fury Road. Milla Jovovich started out as a model, but her name has become synonymous with the “Resident Evil” Franchise. Thus far, she has been in 38 movies. Angelina Jolie dabbled in modeling as a teenager, then started acting, and then had a brief stint once again modeling clothing.   

Sometimes, acting comes first, and modeling follows. Jennifer Aniston has been acting for decades, but several years ago became a model for numerous hair water. Her fit body and youthful skin (despite being well into her forties) was a magnificent way to showcase the fact that water is great for your body. Since she has a strong reputation with the public – and has been in the limelight for quite some time – people are aware that she isn’t “young”, but that she still looks fantastic for her age.

Anne Hathaway started out in kids’ movies, but in the past few years, she has posed for some top designer brands. Natalie Portman has been acting since she was a child, but has turned to modeling for Christian Dior. There have been many actresses who have embraced modeling fragrances. Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet.

Has Digital Destroyed Fashion Photography

Planning, perspective, artistry, and true depth are all features of photography, film photography that is. It is important to explore how digitalphotography has stepped over bounds of film photography in the fashion world and how by waiting a day or two for film to be developed and back to you that digital photography has become so instant (right now) it has lost the concentration true fashion photographs once had. Exploring the topic as a whole can shed light on the advantages of digital photography as compared to its predecessor, film photography.  

While the world moves faster every day, inclined to flit from one thought and visual cue to the next, true art comes through well thought out execution of inspirational ideas. The same argument can be made that just because an artist would have to wait a few days before they could develop their own film, or have a shop do it, does not mean that they made more profound fashion photographs. In some aspects, sure this is true. It could be that if they had mastered all that that technology had to offer, then they could create some fantastic pieces.

Though, really this theory needs to be expanded to encompass digital photography as well. Either way, a successful fashion photographer needs to take out the time out to learn the craft of artistic photography, whether using film or digital methods. That is the main focus here. The parts of photography that were most challenging with regard to traditional, film-loaded cameras, were related to the abilities of the individual camera and the user’s technical savvy. Understanding aperture, knowing what type of film to use say for a track event versus a time-lapsed cloud movement were all factors for those photographers.

While the present digital cameras can remove a lot of the learning curve, it still requires technical savvy to manipulate the fundamentals to work in fashion photography. What this means is that thanks to digital cameras, there are new techniques and abilities that cameras have that were not available with film. There is painting with light, for one, which is created through special features. It allows a photographer to give their work the illusion of big neon words in their photographs.

It requires a little bit of equipment, but nothing too fancy. Actually, just a camera with a super slow shutter speed, a tripod, and a light are the basics. The idea is that the light will move, which can create the look of words, lines, curves, or whatever the creative photographer imagines. This is just one way that digital photography has added to the canon of work that any photographer may create using the tools of the trade. Look to the future and fellow digital buffs the world over for more developments in the world of photography and digital film photography, more specifically. This is where further creative methods will come. Yes, the days of film photography are not dead, just tweaked to cater to the faster here and now. 

When Is Too Soon Or Too Late To Start Modeling

The right age to model can differ from person to person. There are many types of ads and marketing where models are used, so the appropriate age can vary greatly. It’s ideal to have smaller children for ads related to innocence, and likewise, it’s ideal to have a more mature person for ads for medications or to model mature clothing. No matter when you start, it takes real dedication to make it a career, and it’s a valid concern to consider just how modeling will take its toll on someone young. 
 

While some babies are used in ads, they are rarely repeat models until much older, if ever. Many department and clothing store use children for one catalog, and that may be the only modeling experience a child sees. However, a young teenager who is considering a modeling career can get started early on with gaining experience. A young teenager would have the best luck for their future career in learning camera presence and learning how photography works. Becoming proficient in hair, makeup, and wardrobe styling will help a young model build into an experienced model. A young teen who wants to grow into a professional model needs to understand the business more than they need pictures of themselves. 

Teenagers should begin building a portfolio and look for paid work from modeling agencies and agents as soon as they have a good portfolio put together. At this age, modeling on the side while focusing at school will show how much you like the hard work that’s behind all the glitz and glamour. This phase should continue through the college years as a young model does “Time for Pictures” shoots with photographers – an arrangement where they both get experience and pictures out of the deal, but nobody’s paying anyone else. This is invaluable experience that will give you invaluable "in front of camera" experience.
 

Naturally, early to mid-20s will be where a career either takes off or doesn’t. This can be relative to the want of the potential model or indicates a lack of knowledge in the industry. While perseverance will guide a potential model to the tools they need, if the passion hasn’t found a young model at this age, then you know that you gave it a shot and it wasn’t for you. However, as time goes on, you might enjoy modeling part-time by doing specific ads or occasional Time for Prints shoots.

The Perfect Business Portrait

There are several things you should and should not do when posting a good business portrait. These include things such as do you need a professional photographer, what you should wear for the picture and what background and location you should use in order to achieve the best picture of you. Once all of these issues are addressed and executed properly, the end result will be an excellent and professional looking picture that will be sure to attract the correct audience in the business world.

The first step in achieving a good business portrait is finding a good professional photographer who specializes in Business Portraits. Searching the Internet is going to be your best bet, however a search using words like Photography or Photographer can drudge up all kinds of photographers, most of whom don't specialize in Business Portraits. Clicking on the photographers link will usually bring up pictures of weddings and kids. This is not the kind of photographer you want to hire for a Business Portrait.  Try specific key word searches like "Business Portraits" or "Business Headshot Photographers". Avoid mall photography studios and avoid having your buddy's wife take the picture with her new Nikon Christmas present. The picture will look nice to your friends wife, but your audience (potential employers and key business contacts) will see your flaws, an unappealing pose, uneven lighting on your face, loose hairs, blemishes and less than perfect you.

The next step is to find the perfect outfit. Think above the waist since most Business Portraits are photographed from the mid-belly up. When someone looks at a picture of a person, they unfortunately do not have the ability to know more about their personality, therefore they have to make their assumptions about the person solely based on looks. This business portrait is like an interview. It's a first impression, so it is important to look as professional and put together as possible. For clothing, great choices would be neutral colors such as black, gray, brown, white, navy, and other colors that do not cause a distraction for the viewers eye including ties. Stay away from logos and loud Hawaiian type patterns. Since the picture will only be of the top portion of your body, it is important to focus on the shirt, and maybe even put on a nice sports jacket to pull the look together. Another important touch to wear is your smile, because this makes you look inviting and comfortable to work with.

A very important aspect of a good business portrait is the background. Just like the clothing, it is best to use a neutral background either in gray, black or white. Using a distracting brightly colored loud background draws attention away from "you" the subject, and brings the attention to the background. Also, choose a background that works with what outfit you are wearing. For example, if you are wearing a black sports jacket, choosing a black background would blend in with the jacket and wash you out. Choosing a white or lightly lit backgroundinstead would make you stand out, and create a feeling of confidence making for a Perfect Business Portrait.