If you are new to fashion photography, get ready to amaze your clients and yourself. Each photoshoot will be unique as different models, fashions, and locations will be used.

You may find yourself breaking a sweat as you move and contort to capture the best snapshots, but the process itself is loads of fun. Read these eight useful tips for fashion photography and prepare to have a photoshoot that rivals the very best in the industry.

1. Use a Good Quality Camera

Although smartphones now come with embedded cameras that come close to rivaling the quality of professional cameras, high-level cameras are most useful for fashion photography. First and foremost, professional cameras have different lenses and accessories that are not easily duplicated with cheaper alternatives.

The timers, focus options, and other features available in professional quality cameras enable photographers to tweak settings until they are optimal. You can get a used high-level camera for a discount and take pictures that make apparel look impeccable.

2. Make Sure Your Models are Comfortable

During a photoshoot, you are going to want to capture a particular kind of energy. If the clothes being featured consist of athletic wear, then the shoot might be high energy, casual, or even relaxed. Photoshoots consisting of models wearing elegant gowns or party attire may instead want to capture effortless sexiness or social interactions.

A friendly introduction and breakdown of the assignment at the start of the shoot can do a lot to break the ice initially. Talking, smiling, and engaging with the models is also encouraged to help everyone get comfortable and acclimated. The models must feel comfortable and relaxed if you want the pictures to capture the right energy and mood.

3. Take Advantage of Natural Lighting

Photographers often use lights of all kinds in order to make objects, people, backgrounds, and clothing stand out. While lights can be used in and out of the studio, natural lighting is often preferred because it comes across as more authentic.

Natural light comes out softer, with fewer distracting and harsh shadows, which translates well on film. Try taking photos of your models in their selected outfits in different types of natural lighting, from the earning morning sun until dusk, to see how different each photoset comes out.

4. Use Lots of Props

While the clothing should be the focal point, you can create contrast and form a great juxtaposition with the use of props. Accessories such as sunglasses and hats can be used as props for models to wear on their bodies or even hold in their hands. The synergy between a model's pose, movements, and the use of props can make a boring photoshoot more fun and interesting. Allow models to use props as they would like, as well as direct them so that you can get that picture-perfect photo.

5. Choose Varied Settings

If you are taking lots of pictures of clothes, you don't necessarily want to depict all of them in the same setting. Consider using various settings in the fall when the leaves change color and gently drift to the ground. More stark settings with cool, contrasting colors and backgrounds work well in the winter, while the beach is always great for summer. Settings in urban environments, rural landscapes, and even well-decorated interiors should be utilized to give each group of photos their own unique flavor.

6. Use Mannequins for Structure

Live models wearing trendy fashions are as important for designers and retailers as they are for consumers. People want to see how clothing moves and fits on a human being, but that isn't the only way that you can present fashion. Some mannequins are designed with photographers in mind, as they come in different shapes, sizes, and styles. If you want to photograph a t-shirt, you can find torso mannequins that highlight the shoulders, waist, and chest areas quite well. Mannequins also come in posable varieties, so you don't have to feel like you are stuck with the same pose all the time. In the end, mannequins are great for taking pictures of entire lines of apparel that have subtle differences in detail.

7. Give Clear Instructions

Ensuring that you introduce yourself to each model you work with and break the ice will make the photo-taking process more comfortable for everyone. In addition, some models are highly experienced and know how to really sell what they're wearing. At the same time, you should be giving clear instructions so that each photograph taken is appealing. Talk to the fashion models throughout the shoot, pausing to give feedback or even adjust their poses. Highly professional models and photographers know that they are expected to give each photoshoot their all, so instructions are more than helpful.

8. Take Breaks

In the middle of a shoot, it may seem completely counterintuitive to take a break. However, you have to remember that everyone involved is a human being. Breaks allow people to mentally regroup. Models might need a moment to have their makeup retouched or shake out a limb that has begun to cramp up. When you take a break, you also get a chance to review the photos you have taken so far and see if changes should be made. Breaks should be short, lasting no more than a couple of minutes. As soon as you start taking pictures again, you will see how much more energy the models exude, which comes out well in photos.

Whether you are new to fashion photography or are a veteran fresh out of retirement looking for tips, these suggestions will help you to create fabulous pictures. Keep the focus on your camera sharp, capture each outfit in the best possible lighting, and take multiple pictures if you want to get things just right. Use a digital camera so that you can see your photographs immediately and remember that final touches can be made during the editing process. To get the right picture, a lot of work has to be done by the photographers, models, makeup artists, and even the assistants.

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