Transcripts
1. INTRO - about me: Hello everyone. My
name is Carolina. I am a passionated photographer,
originally from Poland, but currently living and creating photos in
the heart of Paris. My love affair with
fashion photography started around 23 years ago. When I came to Paris. And not as a photographer, but as a incredible 11 years, I had the privilege
of working with some of the most
amazing photographers across the globe. It
was like attending the ultimate photography school on an international stage. A trenched in
visual inspiration. I made the exciting
transition from being in front of the camera
to working behind it. After I spent a few years as a dedicated
photographer's assistant, soaking in every bit
of knowledge and skill before fully
embracing my true calling as a photographer. And
fast forward 13 years. And here I am with a
portfolio that tells stories through
editorial catalogues, books, and much more. Having spent over two decades immersed in the
world of fashion, I'm thrilled to
share the wealth of knowledge and experience
I've gathered along the way. So get ready to dive into fascinating realm of fashion
photography with me.
2. Project explanation: Welcome to my first
class of skillshare. Today we are diving into captivating realm of art of pre production in
fashion photography. Here is a sneak peek into
what we will be exploring. We will delve into the world
of client collaboration, brand essence, and the
magic of storytelling. We will also master the art of mood board with practical
benefits and the essentials. You will embark on a journey of effecting
location scouting, Especially in the enchanting
outdoor settings, like the streets of
Paris, for example. We will navigate
the casting dilemma and gear up for the photoshoot. You will learn the
art of building a dream team for collaborative brilliance
in your project. Why you should take this class? Fashion photography goes
beyond just clicking pictures. It's really about crafting
visual stories that resonates. By mastering the reproduction, you will elevate your
photography to the new heights. And these skills aren't just crucial for personal projects, but also swing open doors to exciting professional
opportunities. Who this class is for. Wherever you are a
seasoned photographer or just starting out this
class, it's tailored, made for anyone with passion for fashion photography and no
prier experience is required. You can just imagine you have a client and your mission is to prep for a
photo shoot for them. By the end of this class, you will be all set and ready to make that vision a reality. What materials you will need? All you need is your actually
notebook that you can write all these
creative insights You need your laptop
with Internet access, as we will be using Canvas, pint interest, and of course
your creative spirit.
3. Lesson 1 - know your client: Welcome to the lesson number
one, Know your Client. Let's dive into exciting world of understanding your
client's brand essence. Imagine you have a client and the first step is getting
to know them inside out. Here's how we will do it. First of all, you need
to research like a pro. You start by scoring
their websites, photos, brand story,
and social media. You need to get a feel
for who they are, the vibe they execute. The most important parts to
craft insightful questions. Prepared a set of questions that dig deep into their identity. Ask about this story, the women they aim to represent, their customer base and the narrative behind
the collection. You need really to understand the purpose and the platforms for which they will
use the photos. Now let me illustrate
the process using a Lunary brand as an example
for my class project. Here are a few
questions I would ask. What inspired the
latest collection? Can you describe the ideal woman you envision wearing,
your luxury? How do you want your brand to be perceived on social media? Can you share some
adjectives that divine the essence
of your brand? For your first exercise, I want you to choose a brand
or imagine an ideal client. Write down your questions and provide imaginative
answers for them. Please feel free to share
your project in the class. Let's make this
interactive and fun. So are you ready? Let's get started.
4. Lesson 2 - identify the audience and purpose: Great job on the
client discussion. Now let's dive into
the crucial step of pinpointing the audience and
the purpose for your shoot. This is where the magic of
your visual story begins. Imagine your as a
communicator and your audience as eager
listeners. Who are they? What speaks to their hearts? In my lingerie
shoot the audience, It's a confident, feminine
woman in their late '30s. She's embracing her body and
seeking comfort with all. It's a story of sensuality, self acceptance,
and empowerment. Every shot has a purpose,
a unique message. Is it a commercial beauty shot or a high fashion jewel capture? In my lingerie shoot, the purpose is crystal clear. It's a commercial shooting, showcasing the new collection. This is guiding my decision from model selection
to overall vibe. For your lesson to exercise, I want you to trust a real
or imaginative client. I want you to define
your audience. Who is your lens speaking
to and reveal the purpose. What story are you
telling and why? And please share your insight. In the class, let's learn and craft visual stories
that resonate together.
5. Lesson 3 - the power of moodboards: Now that we have our
narrative in plants, it's time to dwelve in the
visual alchemy of mood boards. It's one of my favorite parts
of preparation process. A moodboard acts as
your visual guide. It's translating concept that sometimes might be open
to interpretation. It avoids all the
misunderstanding. Depending on the shoot, your mood board can
include elements like general mood
or inspiration. Location ideas,
makeup, hair styling, concept, attitude and
poses for models. It can give also like color
schemes, angles and framing. And for that, the gold
mind is spin interest. You have to create your
account if you don't have it and explore during
your free time. Whether you prefer Photoshop or Canvas, the choice is yours. The key is clarity in
expressing your vision. Me, I love to use canvas. It's very easy. And I will
show you the moodboard which I'm preparing for my
imaginative luxere client. While sometimes agencies
or clients handle aspects like story
creation and moodboards, understanding this
process is crucial. Even if you are brought in just for the shoot for one day, knowing the ropes enhance
your creative output. But it's true, it's not
always your job to do it. For this lesson, exercise, prepare your mood board
for your shooting project. Dive into visual elements
that define your narratives. And don't forget to share your masterpiece
with the class. Let's see you in the next class.
6. Lesson 4 - location scouting: Welcome to lesson number four, where we reveal the magic
of location scouting, a pivotal part of any
successful shoot. When it comes to
the studio shoot, it's relatively straightforward. Many photographers and
clients have already, they go to studios and it's quite easy to
find them on internet. But for outdoor restaurant
or hotel shoot, scouting, it's a secret weapon
for external location, be it bustling
street or a hotel. I strongly recommend
a scouting trip. Trusting someone else or
neglecting this step can lead to unexpected surprises
like renovation. But lightning condition,
or you name it. If your shoot takes you to
another country or city, the game gets a
little bit trickier. You can utilize Internet
or Google Maps, but also you can
consider partnering with a production company for
location assistance. I want to give you here a bonus trip for
any outdoor shoot. Especially make friends
with the Sound survey app, which you can download
on your smartphone. It's a bonus tool that shows you the sun movement during
scouting and shooting. And it's a real game changer for optimizing
lightning condition. For this lesson exercise, I want you to embark on your own location
scouting adventure. I want you to take your camera, go for a walk, or choose
a restaurant or a hotel. Call them, make an appointment, and do your location scouting. Please share after the
photos with your class.
7. Lesson 5 - the casting dilemma: Welcome to lesson number five, where we unrevealed the
intricacies of casting, a pivotal aspect of turning vision into tangible
visual stories. Casting for personal projects
should be intuitive if you choose a model who resonates with you
and your vision. However, in the
commercial realm, funding a common ground
with your client becomes a key while you can
give your input. Compromise is often
the name of the game. Ensuring your client's
ultimate satisfaction model. Agencies offer a secure road, especially for commercial jobs, providing a safety net in case of unexpected hiccups like
for example model is set, they can propose
to someone else, however they can be pricey. And because of that, many
clients go to freelance models, which you can find on
Instagram, Facebook, after they are different
platforms like Booker, where you can see different
model portfolios when casting remotely request
recent polar roads or videos. This is crucial
step that can save you for unpleasant surprise
on the day of shoot. Sometimes models they can cut their hair or maybe there's
some problem with their skin. Be sure to see the most
recent pol exercise. I want you to show us the model who embodies your shoot essence. Share a few pictures or describe the characteristic
you are looking for. Let's visualize
the perfect match for your casting dilemma. Get ready to bring your vision to life through the
perfect model selection. I see you in the next class.
8. Lesson 6 - gear up for success: Welcome to the lesson number six where we gear up for a success and ensure that we are well equipped for the
photography journey ahead. A gear selection
is the fun part, but it's crucial to tailor it to your shooting and
location in the studio. It's straightforward,
but for outdoor shoots, consider different
scenarios based on the final results
that you envision. For street shoots
on the sunny day, a reflector and maybe a diffuser
might be your essential. However, a shoot
in the dark hotel may require additional
lightning gear. Always check the weather
forecast and plan accordingly. Prepare a comprehensive list of equipment needed
for your shoot. Include essential like
your camera reflector, lights, diffusers, and don't forget about the
extra batteries. If you don't own all
the necessary gear, renting is a fantastic option. As an example, let
me share what it's in my bag for a lingerie shoot. This can serve you as an
inspiration for your own list. As I venture into
both photography and video on this
one, my gear expands. I'm adding a second camera
and a stabilizer to my kit. I also embrace the power of theater shooting by connecting
my camera to my laptop. This not only allows
for real time checking, but it's the optimal way to ensure you've captured
the perfect shot. For this lesson exercise, I want you to prepare
your list of gear tailored to your imaginary
or real shooting scenario. Think about all the
elements you might need and share your equipment
checklist with the class. Let's ensure we are
fully armed for the success gear up and get ready for the
photography adventure.
9. Lesson 7 - building the dream team: Welcome to lesson number seven, where we reveal the art of
building the dream team, a key element in crafted collaborative
brilliance for your shoot. Depending on your shoot, you will need a team that
could include a stylist, a makeup artist, hairdresser, or someone who can do both. And of course, you will need your indispensable
assistant. Explore the vast worth
of the Internet, Instagram, Facebook
groups, talent agencies, and even connection from
fellow photographers. Friends can lead you to
potential team members. My advice, start by
appreciating their work, then ensure your
energy is align. The best way to do
this is to have a coffee meeting a
casual yet crucial step. If energy matches, fantastic. If not, trust your instincts. Shots are so intense, you need a team that adds to the positive energy,
not drains it. Remember, working
with someone who brings complaints and negativity can impact the entire
shoots energy. Choose individuals with
creativity and positive vibes. After a while, you will build a trusted group for
regular collaboration. For your lesson exercise, I want you to reflect on what the kind of team
you would like to build. Share your thoughts on
the qualities you value in collaborators and the energy you want to foster
during your shoots. Let's craft dream teams
that elevate our creative.
10. Lesson 8 - preparing for the shoot: Welcome to the
lesson number eight. The final step before the magic involves with your team
and location in place. Let's ensure everything is
set for seamless shoot. Prepare a comprehensive
call sheet, include client detail, shooting location,
start and finish, time and contact information
for everyone involved. Add any final request such as
instruction for the moder, and ensure it's sent to all the team members
ahead of time. Review your gear list and pack
everything the day before. This ensures a stress free
start to your shoot day. Double check, batteries, lenses, and any additional
equipment you might need. Create a short list, possibly collaborate on it
with the client or stylist. Having a clear plan for the day ensures everyone is
on the same page and contributes to a smoother
workflow the night before the should prioritize
rest and relaxation. Avoid any late night parties to ensure you are physically and mentally prepared
for the day ahead. If you are overseeing
the production, organize snacks for the team. A well fed and happy team
performs at their best. Consider providing
breakfast, snacks and drinks to keep the energy
high through all the day. For your last lesson exercise, I want you to prepare
a call sheet for your imaginary or real shoot. Include all the
necessary details and share it with the class. Let's set for the successful
and enjoyable shoot day.
11. The conclusion: As we wrap up this photography
adventure together, I hope you've enjoyed our journey through
the various lessons. What's essential
to carry forward from this class is
the significance of effective communication and
meticulous organization in the realm of
fashion photography. It's crucial to
recognize that it's truly a collaborative
team effort. Clear communication with
your team and clients lays the foundation for
a successful shot from reproduction
to the final shot. Organization ensures a seamless workflow
and stunning results. Fashion photography
thrives on collaboration. Building a dream
team and fostering positive energy contributes
to exceptional outcomes. I'm eagerly looking forward
to seeing your project. Feel free to share
your achievements, any questions, or even
future class requests. The journey doesn't end here. New classes are on the
horizon filled with more insight and
photography adventures. Thank you for being a part
of this class on skillshare. Your enthusiasm and
dedication to the craft, make our photography community
vibrant and inspiring. Keep capturing moments,
telling stories, and exploring the beauty
of visual narratives. Come back soon for more classes, and let's continue this
exciting journey together, wishing you endless
creativity and success in all of your
photography adventures.
Karo Trawinska, Photographer
