Fashion photography is a special kind of art. A beautiful photograph can inspire you, move you, or even make you fall in love.
I am now based in Miami, Florida. My years in Portugal shaped my approach to natural light and international projects. Here is how I use that experience to plan a new shoot around its own purpose, location, and people.
Begin With the Purpose of the Images
A fashion campaign, personal series, and model portfolio need different images. For a brand, I want to see the collection and understand the audience. For a private session, I want to hear about you and the photographs you’d love to create.
Then we discuss mood, color, movement, and styling. A few references help if you explain the detail you like in each one. They give us a direction without becoming photographs to copy.
Choose Light for the Photograph You Want
I work with natural light in almost all my projects. Sunlight is my favorite assistant. Clients often ask how I create glowing skin. Makeup plays a part, but I pay particular attention to the location and direction of the light. Direct sun gives strong shapes and shadows; soft light suits pastel colors and a romantic mood.
I choose the light for the idea. When consistency or privacy matters more, an interior or studio may be useful. My guide to outdoor and studio photography compares those choices.
Choose a Location Around the Idea
A beach, city background, simple wall, or interior brings different textures and colors. I ask whether those details support the clothes and the story. Sometimes a quiet background gives us more than a dramatic view.
For Miami or South Florida, check who manages the exact property, permitted use, privacy, changing space, and room for the team. City of Miami, Miami Beach, and county-managed locations can have different requirements.
My Portuguese beach and Lisbon photographs remain examples of earlier work. A new project needs its own setting.
Make Room for Weather and the Pace of the Day
Plan for heat, humidity, wind, and thunderstorms, with breaks and an indoor or rescheduling alternative. Keep the route manageable and allow for changing clothes. The looks, essential photographs, and any video should fit the time available, rather than leave everyone rushing between locations.
What My International Projects Have Taught Me
In Portugal, I worked with clients from the United States, China, Dubai, the United Kingdom, France, Finland, Taiwan, Mozambique, and many other countries. Working with people from different countries is one of my favorite parts of the job. Their cultures and visual ideas have opened up my world. Each shoot becomes a small story with its own character.
The Woodland campaign near Porto and the Nakoa collection in Santa Cruz show different approaches from my Portuguese work.
Build the Team Around the Project
In Portugal, I met stylists, models, actresses, musicians, producers, art directors, jewelers, and designers. Some lived there; others traveled for a shoot. I liked seeing how each contribution changed a project.
For a project in Miami, I put together the team its size and idea call for. I’ll discuss the roles, availability, and costs with you, including any stylist, models, makeup or hair specialist, assistant, or video.
Use References Without Chasing Every Trend
Portugal’s historic settings and contemporary fashion scene formed part of the background to my work there. Clients brought their own ideas to that environment.
For a new shoot, I ask what a reference contributes: shape, light, energy, or movement. A choice that suits the person or collection is more useful than chasing every trend.
What to Send With Your Inquiry
Send a short description, visual references, preferred timing, number of looks, and intended image use. Mention any location or specialists you have in mind. For a personal series, tell me what you want the photographs to show.
See my brand photo shoot page for the service, the brand preparation guide for collection planning, or a private photo shoot for a personal project. I’ll discuss the final images, retouching, and formats with you.
Have an idea for a fashion shoot in Miami? I would be happy to hear it. You can share your questions and project details here💛
Author: Julia Yatel
