How do you become a Fashion/Model Photographer??

[GeoffWessex]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

As the new Nikon D800 has a 36mp sensor, it might be your best route into fashion photography.

Wouldn't we all love one? But it replaces the D700....... and the prices for that must come down soon....... far fewer pixels but still Full Frame.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by GeoffWessex

Wouldn't we all love one? But it replaces the D700....... and the prices for that must come down soon....... far fewer pixels but still Full Frame.

It's not full frame that's important but the details a 36mp sensor can give. If it can match the details of medium format, then the overall cost could be about £5,000 including a 24-70mm F2.8 and a 85mm F1.4. against, Hasselblad's H4D-40 plus 50mm F4 at almost £17,000.

[xavier]

Originally Posted by GeoffWessex

Fair enough....... in the '60s, many fashion photographers moved away from medium or full format film and got more mobile with a 35mm camera - David Bailey etc made names for themselves with this technique..... but you're going to have to compete with a lot of rivals. If you want your pictures in glossy magazines, they generally will only want full-frame, ultra-sharp images - those that stand out from the crowd. Don't forget that 'full-frame' means approximately 35mm in sensor size - it's not 'Medium Format'. A 'normal' APS-C DSLR can still work for 'street fashion', some outdoor work or with active (moving around) models, but magazines and advertising companies demand the best quality. Some might even say Medium Format (the Hasselblads etc), and you can't argue with that extra quality, but I think that's only essential for some really static images. I've no idea what the cost would be to hire one for a day..... but you can imagine it's a lot, and the job has to be worth the investment for that alone - so only the most successful and busy photographers (of fashion or products) can afford them.

How much does Medium Format cost? You could pick up a Medium Format film camera, like a Bronica or Hasselblad, for around 500 pounds. But the people that used them in the past had to be very well equipped and knowledgeable - it's film, so you'd be prone to under- and over-exposure if you're not an expert - so you'd need an extensive knowledge of lighting and metering.

For digital, Full Frame (or 'DX') is what you may need - I don't think anything bigger is necessary unless you've been commissioned to take the next set of pictures for a fashion catalogue - then you might get your investment money back.

If you're talking digital 'Medium Format', the prices start at 10,000 pounds for the Pentax 645 with a lens. I think you'd have to be already fairly well established in the business to invest that kind of money (and if you're thinking of a Hasselblad, you'll need almost 30,000 pounds (body only) - but, as I say, the full-frame (35mm equivalent) is more than enough.)

So it is can be quite a price before one takes a single frame when one factors in liteing, studios and all the other kit one must have to start?

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by xavier

So it is can be quite a price before one takes a single frame when one factors in liteing, studios and all the other kit one must have to start?

You can hire a studio with lights, backdrops and props just for the shoot.

[GeoffWessex]

Originally Posted by OldBoy

You can hire a studio with lights, backdrops and props just for the shoot.

Yes, and you can even hire a top-quality camera. You might also consider somebody to help with make-up, another one to look after hair, somebody to move lights around for you - it can get quite expensive.

[SunderlandPhotography]

Originally Posted by JulianK

I'm a fashion/model photographer.

To be strategic here's what you do:

First join modelmayhem, do not shoot anything but truly professional looking models on the site - there an old saying in model photography, it's only half true but there's value to it: You can't take a bad shot of a great model........................................etc.

Very informative post. Many thanks!

[SunderlandPhotography]

I placed an ad on a website saying that I'm looking for females to photography. Let's see if I get any replies

[SunderlandPhotography]

Well I placed an ad on PhotoAssist and I received a reply from a photographer from Leeds. Asking me if I would like to join him on a wedding shoot yesterday.

I had to turn it down because I went out friday evening and I didn't know what time I would be back

I sent him an email asking if there's anything else I could do. Just waiting for a reply.

[markgozz]

Originally Posted by SunderlandPhotography

Well I placed an ad on PhotoAssist and I received a reply from a photographer from Leeds. Asking me if I would like to join him on a wedding shoot yesterday.

I had to turn it down because I went out friday evening and I didn't know what time I would be back

That's a shame , hope it was a great night out for you to turn down your first opportunity to work with a professional .

Mark

[SunderlandPhotography]

It was fine, but I wish I had more time to think about it and I took my camera out with me on friday evening