5 ideas to improve your fashion photography style

Every photographer has a new stage and growth at some point. It is a natural process of development. As a fashion photographer in Lisbon and Portugal, I am always looking for new ideas for my shoots. In this article, I want to show you how to make your shots more varied and interesting. Using my own work as an example, I will show my ready-made ideas and solutions.

Cropping

Cropping is the easiest and fastest way to make an ordinary photo more interesting. Take any finished photo and try different cropping options. As an example, I will show you one of the images from my photo shoot in Lisbon. On the left is the original, and on the right is the cropped photo. As you can see, this technique shifts the focus of the viewer’s attention to the photo. As a reward, this picture was published in Photo VOGUE.

Shooting Angle

At a master class, I heard a famous photographer give some good advice: if you want to attract attention, shoot in a way that the human eye cannot see. In other words, an ordinary person and a photographer can see the same object in a frame differently. A professional’s job is to show the ordinary in an unusual and beautiful way. When I shoot an editorial, I have a lot of time to experiment. I really dance around the model, and she moves, too. There are two techniques. The first is to take a lot of shots, trying to get that one masterpiece, catching the right split second. The second is to try to repeat a specific reference. Personally, I prefer the first method because it gives me more chances to show my personal ideas. Also, brands really like those shots. My clients often ask me to take several art shots in addition to static ones. Because emotion and uniqueness attract attention and sell.

Color correction

In recent years, color has played a key role in fashion photography. Even the simplest shot can be perceived differently if you choose the right color. As an exclusive photographer, I can spend several hours choosing the right hue and tone. When I do projects for brands, it is very important to adhere to the classic style of color correction to preserve the true colors of the client’s products – clothes, shoes, accessories or jewelry. But fashion editorial is an opportunity to be creative and find something unique. Often, even in the planning stage of the shoot, I think about the color tonality of my final shot, taking into account the location, the light, and the image for the model.

Wide Angle

Since I bought and started using a wide-angle lens, my view of the frame has completely changed. I know that many classic photographers are afraid of such lenses. Yes, there is a risk of making something not very nice, or too distorted. I would not recommend using this lens for classic lifestyle photography. But if you are looking for inspiration and are willing to experiment in fashion photography, a wide-angle lens is the right choice. I use this technique most often for editorials. I shoot portraits as well as full-body shots. This is the world of my inner aesthete. So let me show you a series of shots taken with a wide-angle lens.

Shots in movement

Most of the time, a photo series lacks shots that convey the model’s movement and energy. One of the easiest ways is to ask the model to walk. In this case, you can stay in one place and change the angle of the shot. The second way is to move together with the model. The third is a chaotic movement of both the camera and the model. My favorite are shots where the horizon is tilted and the model is actively moving. This technique gives the viewer a unique feeling of a shot at the moment.

I hope you found this information useful. If you have any questions, would like to share your ideas with me, or have already decided to inquire about my photo and video projects, choose a convenient way to contact me right now. Let’s create your beautiful fashion stories together! 💛

Author: Julia Yatel