Calling all fashion photographers

[kathryntaylor]

Hello! My names Kathryn and I'm really interested in fashion photography. Right now, I'm just a high school student and I mostly take photos of my friends.

My question is, with fashion photography, where do you get the clothes? Do you spend your own money and buy them just for the photos?

[Jim Bryant]

Normally with an established fashion photographer, the clothes are provided by either the model or client they are shooting for.
For a budding photographer such as you.......whomever you are shooting supplies the clothes.

[MrJones]

you can invest a bit in accessories but most models have a dress or two in their closet.
that's for "regular" outfits. if you want something special like 40's style or something with an edge, you can always contact young fashion designer and ask them to do a fashion photos for free. I think most of them will like the idea of getting photos for free.

Kind of a strange way to get into the market, but check out your local farmer's market. In my town, there are 3 or 4 kids clothing makers, and one of them has even asked me to do fashion photos for them (I was interested...I do too many kid photos as it is, and it's not my style).

Otherwise, there's usually a shop or two in most cities that sells home-made crafty crap. They usually have a few T-shirt and clothing designers that contribute to the shop, and would be a good way to start out.

Might try sewing shops as well. A lot of them hold classes for making dresses and similar products, and you could probably work with them for some fashion shots.

Model Mayhem (NSFW) is a good source for models, and you can usually snag one for free with prints.

[OsmosisStudios]

If youre doing studio work, you can always (though I dont necessarily recommend it) buy clothes and return them, provided you dont remove the tags (just hide them).

*shifty eyes*

[i speak in math]

We have them brought up from the warehouse next to our studio a day ahead of the shoot where we steam the wrinkles out.

[faeriegodess612]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Normally with an established fashion photographer, the clothes are provided by either the model or client they are shooting for.
For a budding photographer such as you.......whomever you are shooting supplies the clothes.

+1. I'm not a fashion photographer, but you'd have to buy different sizes for different body shapes. Big girls can be fashionable too. They're called plus size models.

[SwissJon]

My step daughter did a little modelling for local shops. You might be lucky enough, if you approach the managers, to get them to swap borrowing the clothes for the shoot for prints.. It won't work for all the shops, but some of our local shops are really interested in encouraging youth art, it's free advertising for them to exactly their target audience (How many shops get to advertise IN CLASS??), and you get what you want.. Approach them with some drawings and ideas and something strong and professional.. SOme of the photos you've already taken in a portfolio, and don't get disappointed when some say "no".. Eventually some will say yes, and you may eventually have them approaching you, because it's cheaper than employing a professional photographer and MUCH cooler if their target is other people your age.