Helpful Steps to Capture that Great Fashion Moment!
Today I want to talk about some tips that will help you give your photos that WOW factor!
The point in any image making process is to engage your viewer. Keeping these 10 Steps in mind when you’re on your next fashion photo shoot will help you do just that: Engage Your Viewer! In the comment section below, why don’t you add a tip for the other readers! And I would like to know too, what tip do you have under your sleeve to make more powerful fashion photographs?
1. Engage the model: Use eye contact. Eye contact directly into the camera is powerfully engaging. It strongly connects the model with the viewer of the image.
2. Looking away. Having the model looking away, focused on something off camera, is an intriguing way to engage your viewer. It creates a sense of mystery, urging the viewer to contemplate what the model might be looking at.
3. Models looking at each other. It helps create a story within the image and the viewer becomes engaged in the story and the emotions being shared between the models.
4. F%$# the rules! (Personally, my favorite thing to do) Mess with the composition. Place the model either dead center or put them off right to the edge of the frame. My theory about rules is this: You must know them in order to break them!
5. Experiment with light. Mix available light with strobe or tungsten light. Leave the shutter open for longer than you normally would and let the flare come in. Light creates DRAMA. Use it.
6. Get that model moving. Take her out of the studio, all dressed up in 4 inch heels and make-up. Get her out on a busy street and let her work her walk and stop traffic! It’s amazing how the confidence will take over the girl and how strong that will make your image!
7. Change your angle. Normally a rule of thumb for shooting fashion is for the photographer to be low or close to the ground in order to shoot up towards the model. This elongates the model. But what did I say earlier about rules? Yep…break them! As I’ve mentioned in an earlier post, and as you’ve seen in the videos, I move around a lot when I shoot to get a variety of angles. Get up on a ladder and shoot down, or try shooting from different angles. See what makes for an interesting shot.
8. Get a prop involved! How interesting is it when a model is playing with a handbag or a tube of lipstick. It adds a sense of “reality” to the shot, letting the viewer take on a voyeuristic approach as if they are catching the model in a private moment.
9. Grab those random candid shots. Watch for those moments when the model is adjusting her skirt or reaching down to fasten the strap on her shoe. When the model is looking away and her attention is somewhere else for a moment, it’s unexpected and it’s sexy! Because it’s a REAL moment. Shots that aren’t posed are usually so dynamic!
10. Play with emotions. Get the girl to pretend to cry or get her to laugh wickedly…or even sneer. Have them act! It’s another way to engage your viewers and hold their attention on a photograph longer than “just another pretty picture.”
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thanks for this – as someone relatively new to photography and struggling with portraits, I found it really useful, to the point and well illustrated
Neil
and the most important, a model who can work all of these factors
. Through experience I’ve found that some models can emote without a problem, some no matter how hard you try to get it , you wont. By the way love the photo of the guy looking away!!!
And a model who can work well under all of these, some I find they can emote and work around a set . no problem. others no mater how you try you’ll never get it. Man that photo of the guy looking away and the out and about shot.. fantastic!
Youre blogging about the right things,
I have allways Problems with Directions for the Models,
have to focus more on things like that.
Thanks,
philipp
Hey Melissa,
Thanks for the info! Very informative, as always. And great timing! Doing a shoot tomorrow. So I am going to try to incorporate some of these into my shots. Well, thats the plan
The easiest one to remember is “F%$# the rules!”. Don’t think I’ll have a problem remembering that one 
Great shots btw.
Thanks again!
Cheers,
Dave.
Wonderful! I’ve been looking for this for a long time! Thank you so much! Next model shoot I will put these all into practice!
great tips as always, thanks!!!!
A photographer composes the image the way he(she) pictures it on his mind, his own world, a photographer has to understand how the camera works and learn to control it, to understand how the light works and learn how to control it, the compositions, forms and shapes, and learn how to arrange something without missing details on a shoot, and ultimately a photographer has to forget about all that and just focus on the creation, in the human emotions that came out of a photograph that captures a piece of reality, a great fashion photograph, is made by people who’s skills to show the cloths and items are just natural for them, and they have the freedom to shoot for deeper reasons than get a paycheck. One thing that help me a lot in my practice of photography is the reasons behind the shoots. But as Melissa says, you need to learn the rules to break them, I did my homework for hours and hours, and hours and hours of practicing with every single light and angle, I had read all I can every time I can, to increase my skills into a pure photograph that works for fashion.
The best advice I could think is:
*Be your worst critic (its your creation, if it satisfies you, you are doomed)
*Do your homework and everyone else’s homework (There is no limit on what you can learn and there is many things you still dont know, so why stop learning?)
*Sit and think, take your time. (In this era of fast food, everyone seems to rush the shoots, you need to have your TONS of hours of practice so you can learn the correct way to light your ideas into photography, so take your time and learn to wait for the moment) {There was an old photographer that took many photos from an alley. He made a whole story of the little town based on the photos of the people who walked there, he would wait with the camera ready to get the shoots, a great photo freezes a piece of time in a specific moment, so be aware)
*And most important of all, Keep reading Melissa Rodwell’s Fashion Photography Blog!. (She knows what she’s talking about!!)
Have great shoots everyone!
Ryu
Ryu! Are you available for hire to be my PR agent?? LOL…..just kidding. You’re very kind! Thank you for all your comments and your unfathomable support of my work and my blog!
I love #9. As a corollary, I’d say don’t stop shooting. Even though the candids might get edited out, they usually end up being my favorite shots.
My favorite article so far! And I liked the rest a lot.
Fantastic! And the ‘boy’ with the cig – I think that’s my fav one from the collection. I LOVE it!
Very informative, as always : )
Thanks for the amazing photos illustrating the rules … both those adhered to and those broken.
Gorgeous!
Some cool pics and creative advices but I dont understand how #4 can be considered fashion. Editorial maybe, fashion not.
I really like number 5! Great post, with great photos!
good go. nice article. Glad this was up today got a shot tomorrow a.m. so i got to write these on my forearm so i can remember to try something new. thanks again for your insite and vision.
Quentin
another great blog entry!! love the tips. i’m usually a family portrait/event photographer. but i like to look at fashion mags to get inspiration. i actually got called to do a fashion shoot for a friend. but i don’t feel that i’m ready for that. still learning. and practicing. thanks!!
I loved all of your advice. As a commercial photography student I find your blog so helpful.
Your blog also led me to Jessica Price who I am working with this summer. I go to school at Ohio University and her studio is about 1 and 1/2 hours from my school. I’m very excited to shadow her this summer. I’m glad you showcased the FLARE competition!
Thank you very much my friend. Yes its very useful for me. Thanks again
Awesome info with great examples!
I like this article a lot, and thanks again to Melissa for her contribution.
I agree with everything that was written so far.
Out of my own experience I can add that being a fashion photographer should never get you enclosed to the “written” rules of such photography. Its true it is often great to take photos that you see similar in fashion magazines but I tend to let the model its space – then you can make really great shots. Its not just the dress the model is wearing that should be your point of concern, its vital that the model feels comfortable in what she/he is wearing. I tend to saying “the model makes clothes look great – not the other way around”.
It has been written about the eye contact between model and camera, I agree on that, but in addition to that I like to use the body language to “tell the story”. The gestures can be powerfull tool to make an impact on a shot. That especially comes in handy when the model just cant make the right facial expression. Then I just use the lighting effects with back shots to make the subject to “pop out” of the shot.
The usage of lighting is the main key to get the right atmosphere in the shot. In clasical fashion photography its not that common to make any experimental lighting positions, but as M. wrote – break the rules, take the shoot to another level.
Experiment, experiment and experiment…
once again….TY sooooooooo much yet another fabulous blog filled with vital information… I can’t get enuf of your site !!!
Perfect info! Thanks:) A good reminder to take a sneek-peek in this blog now and then!:)
Very interesting article. Thank for your work.
Amazing article!
thank you Melissa!!
xoxo
Obey the rules, forget the rules – I like it. Good guidance overall and as you say know your craft before you mess with it. It’s a truism that all top photogs seem to work this way.
Get camera on a tripod. Position your face near the camera. Engage the model with eye contact. Have the model look at your eyes. More engaging photos, and you are close enough to the camera so it engages the viewer as well.
Your expressions will affect the models expressions.
Your experience speaks volumes.
What an article… Thanks you so much!
Great post, the photos are stunning. ‘Favorite’ the article for read and re-read in the future as well.
Awesome work, thanks!
Thanks Melissa…
I work from the viewpoint that rules are made to be broken.
That’s my story…and I am sticking to it.
Your post is fantastic as usual.
Keep up the great work!!
Thanks a million for your post again.
davidmacq already commented on the one I had in mind, so I’ll reiterate that one: get the camera away from your face! Not too far, unless you want the model to appear to be looking away from the camera. But if the model (or any subject) can see your face, your smile or expression, there is a little more life in the eyes as a result.
You don’t need to have a tripod to do this (although it helps). You can, with practice, compose and focus, then move your face around the side of the camera for the actual shot.
Also, make your manner and facial expressions mimic what you want the model to do. Smile if you want him/her to smile, look serious or calm if that’s your intent for the model etc.
And another tip, completely off the subject:
Shoot from 180° on the set. It will often fail miserably, but sometimes you’ll find that shooting from a completely ‘wrong’ angle works wonders. Stand between your model and background and shoot out (have her turn around, or not). Shoot from the side of the set. SHoot with your lights in the frame, or just outside for a little flare. Have your model lie down – shoot first, then adjust the lighting if it didn’t work.
Turn off your key light, and just use your fills (adjust aperture/ISO accordingly…or not). Didn’t work? Turn off your fills and just shoot with key.
Underlight your model (aim the light from below). Yeah it’s called Frankenstein Lighting (among other names) for a reason. But hey, if you’ve got a beautiful model, it’s not going to matter, and it might be the switch-up you needed.
Hey why am I posting these here? I should blog these myself instead.
-Matt
Thanks Melissa!
Those are some Wonderful tips
What a great sharing post!
Thank alot!
Hi Melissa , ( from Australia )
I am so glad I found this blog site ,
you are so generous with your advice
you keep things simple and straight to the point ,
loved theses 10 points ,
sunday I was at the Australian tv week ( television) Logie awards thats our Oscars or Acadamy awards at it was amazing so much glam , the gowns , it was hollywood in melbourne so i am on a fashion high at the moment and i got some great shoots
keep up the great work Melissa
kind regards
Nigel
Nice article, I’ll be using it as a point of reference for my work
great post!
thank you.
I like the image posted as number 6.
Fantastic article!! YOU rock Melissa!!!
~Ed
wow, such an amazing tips. i really love how u say F&$@ the rules! haha. i’ll be sure to implement them on my next photoshoot. cheers!
very useful topic! I knew some of the effects you tell us already, but a lot of things I didn’t try yet. Thnx!
I love the random candid shots myself, it can give a really nice “real” paparazzi feeling to your photo.
Great post. Love reading your blog. Keep the good photos rollin. all best
Fantastic tips – Thanks very much!
Hi Milissa, i’m about to buy my very first Portfolio…i’m going to get it from the house of portfolios…i have read your post about portfolios religusly…and seen the video about 10 times… u expline everything sooo well…but there is still one thing i keep wondering bout and it’s killing me not to know (so plese answer this post)… WHY THE SIZE AND FORMAT 11×14)… i know you say that it’s up to myself to pick the right size for me…but why did you pick that one??? why is it the standard one??? i would hve thought that a fashion photogrpher would pick the same demnshions s a magazin (where your pictures are usully displayed) but a bigger size… 11×14 is much more squeer??? please nswer this post, because im dying to order my folio asap…
Thank you for a wonderful site!!!
thanks for a wonderful site
Excellent tips! And very inspirational!
Engaging the model before you even begining to shoot goes a long, long way to getting better images. The model must be relaxed and into the shoot. I always chat them up, tell a cheesy joke, whatever to break the ice, especially with a model you’ve not worked with before.
Thanks again, melissa. Love this blog, is very useful for my work.
very excellent photo collection.
Hi M,
What a great article! Such good advice and it can be applied to other types of portraiture as well.
Plus, it might be worthwhile to remember that your rapport with the model(s) can get you just about anywhere. Usually it is the photog who is in charge (or should be) and we should forget about that either.
And creating a good rapport, being decisive and prepared – that’s the homework done! – in combination with communicativeness and good humor gets you to places you would never find out about!
Thanks so much for all that!
Keep up the good work, M!
Just found your well written blog, good information. Thanks.
I love your rule no. 4 & 5 in particular, you exactly speak out what I’m always thinking I may be done wrongly!~ Truly inspirational guideline for me personally. Thanks for this valuable sharing
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love this and your blog…. great info!
Awesome tips. From my experience some of the greatest photographs are the ones you think you screwed up on and think it turned out terrible.
This was incredibly informative. You are a wealth of knowledge.
Thanks for sharing. Its really a good guide for me.
Nice tips and great photographs. Tip #4 is my favourite.
HI Melissa…
Thanks you for sharing.
I love your blog.
love all these photos, the Experiment with light photo the guy looks so much like Roger Waters in his younger years, amazing photos, all of them
Great post! Very inspiring.
Great article. I think you can apply these rules not only to fashion photography but to any photography of people. Very usefull.
Love it! My personal favorite is #4 re: all the rules. Great photos in this post!
Always talk to the model, whether she is a new model or a new model. Tell them what you are looking for before the shoot, I always tell them as we shoot what emotion I am looking for, such as, give me playful, give me attitude, give me bitchy etc. but always encourage the model and complementer her on her contribution to then image. I find the more you encourage the model the more she will into the pose, even if she feels silly.