Fashion photographer (Modefotograaf)
Information on this skill...
A fashion photographer is a photographer who specializes in fashion photography. Taking good fashion photos is important for companies that are active within the fashion industry, because good fashion photos contribute to an important part of the final sales figures of the fashion items in question. As a fashion photographer you work in the world of haute couture, fashion and lifestyle. The work of a fashion photographer generally consists of taking photos of loose clothing and accessories and taking photos during fashion shows. As a fashion photographer, in most cases you will work as an independent entrepreneur, and you will be active for various fashion brands. Fashion and photography cannot do without each other, because advertising is indispensable within the fashion world. Almost all fashion companies and clothing companies therefore use special fashion photographers, who take fashion photos for the fashion companies in question. In addition to taking the fashion photos, it is usually the fashion photographer who will edit the photos. The profession of fashion photographer must also be seen as fairly general, because there are different fashion companies, which can also work in different ways. In addition, there is an important difference between general textile companies and haute couture fashion. Not all retailers use fashion photographers, because internal employees can also be responsible for photographing new collections. Think, for example, of employees who photograph new clothing for a webshop. This type of work is usually not carried out by a fashion photographer. A fashion photographer is generally only responsible for photographing special fashion items, which are used in advertising leaflets or on a website. This usually concerns fashion clothing and accessories, which must be classified as haute couture, fashion or lifestyle.
A fashion photographer can therefore work in different ways, depending on the type of client and type of fashion clothing. Photographing fashion clothing is often done in a studio where the conditions are ideal, such as lighting and background. But also photographing on location, such as at a fashion show, occurs regularly. In many cases, the fashion clothing will be photographed to place in fashion magazines. In addition, the photos can be used for your own website. Fashion clothing and other fashion items are in many cases worn by models, who work on behalf of the fashion designer or retailer. It is not the case that a fashion photographer only photographs fashion clothing. A fashion photographer may also be responsible for photographing individual fashion items. Think, for example, of lingerie, shoes, bags, hats and other loose accessories. A fashion photographer often has to deal with different types of fashion clothing and models, which have to be photographed in a day. There will also be many different models during the day. This is often the case, because models are different and come especially for a certain part of the fashion clothing. For example, it can happen that a model has beautiful feet and therefore only comes for the shoes and another model comes along especially for the underwear.
PHOTOGRAPHING FASHION CLOTHES
Photographing fashion clothing is a specialization that should not be underestimated. Fashion photography is important for retailers and fashion designers, because good fashion photos can make or break clothes. This is also the main reason that not everyone can just work as a professional fashion photographer. Most clients attach great importance to a good fashion photographer. A fashion photographer cannot only be regarded as a photographer. A fashion photographer should also be regarded as a stylist, image consultant and as a trend watcher. In other words, a fashion photographer must be specialized in a broad way within haute couture, fashion and lifestyle. As described earlier, a fashion photographer is only responsible for photographing special fashion clothing and fashion items. A fashion photographer cannot be compared to a product photographer. Production photography usually involves photographing clothing for a webshop. This concerns completely different activities. Product photography can also be done by internal employees.
PHOTOGRAPHING FASHION CLOTHING AND FASHION ITEMS
Fashion clothing and fashion items are photographed, because the photos are used for marketing. Think, for example, of advertising via advertising leaflets, social media, YouTube and television. Because these are usually expensive campaigns, a fashion photographer will be hired. It is the fashion photographer, who takes all the photos in the right way and it is the fashion photographer, who will edit the photos if necessary. Editing photos is also called retouching. Retouching is common in images, such as photos. As a fashion photographer, you will generally have to have a lot of inspiration, because fashion photos must be catchy photos. Think, for example, of taking special fashion photos within an industrial environment.
WHAT DOES A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
There are no specific training opportunities to work as a fashion photographer. However, there are training opportunities for the profession of photographer at both MBO level and hbo level. At Mbo you can start with the photography employee training at level two, and then follow the MBO photography course at level four. The training to become a photographer through the Mbo school will usually take four years and prepares you as a photographer. If you want to learn even more afterwards, it is best to follow the private hbo education at the photo school. The direction of photographic design can be followed both in a two-year study and in a four-year study. During the programme you will also work and, depending on the chosen study, go to school one or two days a week for the theory. During the photographer training, attention is paid to the following subjects: portrait photography, lighting, editing, analog techniques, digital techniques, camera technique and creativity. But of course you also learn to work with the most famous photo programs to be able to edit your photos. As a photographer, the computer nowadays plays an important role within the profession. After your education, there are various specializations possible as a photographer that you can focus on, depending on your own wishes as a photographer. There are also plenty of training opportunities at private institutions for the profession of fashion photographer. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER CAN WORK
In most cases, a fashion photographer will have to be regarded as an entrepreneur, who works for various clients. Most fashion companies and fashion designers use freelancers, who photograph the fashion clothing and fashion items on assignment. Just like other photographers, most photographers nowadays work as entrepreneurs and not in paid employment. As described earlier, product photography of clothing cannot simply be regarded as fashion photography.
COMPETENCES FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
The main competence of a fashion photographer is the general knowledge of photography. In addition, a fashion photographer must have sufficient affinity with the fashion industry. Communication must also be regarded as an important competence, because you are dealing with different clients, who all have their own specific wishes. A fashion photographer will also have to have a lot of inspiration and motivation. If you work as an entrepreneur, you will also have to have a commercial institution. In that case, networking is also important to get to know the right people. Generally important words are creativity, artistic, trends, insight, flexibility, perseverance, passion, planning, organizing, consulting and stress resistance.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
The labour market perspective of a fashion photographer does not really apply, because most fashion photographers have to be considered entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur will have to determine his own labour market perspective by winning sufficient assignments. As described earlier, the profession of photographer is almost no longer employed. The career opportunities of a fashion photographer should be seen in building a good name, which will increase the number of assignments. Giving photography courses is also possible if you have sufficient experience and professional knowledge. There are actually no further career opportunities as a fashion photographer.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
There are no specific terms of employment for the profession of fashion photographer, because the employers will generally be too different. For example, a fashion photographer from a large clothing brand will earn more than that of a small brand. As an independent fashion photographer, you naturally determine your own terms of employment. A fashion photographer in paid employment will usually earn between 2000 and 2800 euros gross per month, depending on his age, education, fame and responsibilities. An independently working fashion photographer usually works on commission for a fixed fee. The competition among fashion photographers can be called great, which can make the chances of survival as a fashion photographer difficult. It is therefore important to distinguish yourself from other fashion photographers.
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