I Love Fashion Photography

I love all of the sessions that I do, so I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I also love fashion photography. In all fairness I love highlighting work by ANY creative, in ANY artistic industry, because honestly? As an artist myself, other artists are my people. So its always a special honor when I get to do work with other badass creators, who make beautiful things real. Whether those things are incredible articles of clothing made by a designer, or paintings by a local artist, it’s straight up exciting to work with creatives in their element.

And the latest fashion session I’ve done in New York (featuring the design work of Arianne Zager, modeled by Bri Spraggins) definitely fits the bill!

Like any Artwork, Fashion Needs a Photographers’ Eye!

It might feel like fashion photography is just like any other kind of photography – you point the camera, snap a picture… and wham! You’ve done it, fashion photography accomplished. But just like anything, it’s not that simple. Highlighting fashion work is in a lot of ways similar to highlighting other creative work, which means taking a ton of factors into account before you snap that shot.

1 – Location, location, location

Before you even pick up the camera when you’re working with fashion photography, just like any create (or standard!) session, you have to think about where you want it to take place. Now, for fashion photography, especially MODERN fashion photography, that doesn’t always mean the studio. It can mean somewhere in the middle of the desert, or on the runway during a show – or in the middle of New York City, like the gorgeous session I’m highlighting today!

Like we talk about with any type of photo session, location changes things massively. It determines (most of the time!) the colors and shapes that will be in the background (and sometimes foreground, depending on framing!) of the images you capture. It sets tone, and can help emphasize certain aspects of the creative work you’re focused on. So when you’re highlighting fashion work through photography, you have to think about the environment, and choose something that’s going to line up with the needs of the work you’re photographing. Here, you can see how Arianne Zager’s work – full of those lovely round shapes in the netting – is juxtaposed with strong, straight lines in the environment, making the unique elements of her work show even more prominently!

2 – Framing

The framing of any photo draws the eye. It’s one of the ways we communicate hierarchy – or “what’s most important to look at first” in photography. And it’s a really powerful tool for you to use in your photography – and that photographers use every day in their work! When it comes to fashion photography, framing is KING. It makes the difference between a photo that kind of sort of looks nice, and one that highlights a specific element of a designer’s work, and truly makes their creation shine.

Framing includes things like “how much negative space is around the subject” and “what elements of the environment are included with them” – not just “where is the subject in the frame”. So it’s more than just placing your subject by the rule of thirds and snapping away! See how the framing of (incredible) model Bri Spraggins in this shot draws the eye to the movement in Arianne Zager’s work?

3 – Lighting Conditions

Lighting is one of those vaguely frustrating elements of environment for photographers, because let’s face it – outside of a studio? It can be SUPER unpredictable. And when something that can make or break the tone of a session is unpredictable… you’re in for either an INCREDIBLY session, or one that will fade into the background. Now, most photographers who work with fashion (and any creative’s work!) have tips and tricks we can use to work with any lighting situation, and shape the tone the way we want it whether the lighting is cooperating or not.

But when it comes to tone, lighting is a huge contributor. There’s a big difference between golden hour outdoor light, and spots set up in a studio! So when you’re creating a plan for a fashion photo shoot, try to think about what unique elements of the designers’ work will be highlighted by different kinds of lighting conditions, and shape your plan around what makes the most sense.

4 – Posing in Fashion Photography

We’ve left the most important for last here! Well, at least as far as fashion photography is concerned. Posing? It’s ESSENTIAL. Now, this doesn’t mean that you as the photographer are going to be the one dictating what poses are involved! If the designer is there with you on the day of your shoot, then you might get their input on how posing is handled, or if you’re working with an experienced model (like Bri Spraggins), it’s likely that they’ll contribute a ton to the way posing is used in your session.

Why does posing top the list of the important elements to think about when doing fashion photography? Posing is attitude. It’s tone. It’s how the viewer will perceive the work being showcased. The posing of the model in question also highlights different elements of the work they’re wearing – and that’s a complex job!

If you’re responsible for the posing in a fashion photoshoot, think about how you can place your models’ bodies to best show off the unique elements of the clothing or accessories they’re wearing.

Fashion Photography gives you Social Media Content

As a designer (or a model!) booking fashion photo shoots is incredibly valuable. Like, I-can’t-emphasize-it-enough, valuable. Not just because it’s the best way for people who can’t get their hands on your work yet to see them – or for designers to see your work as a model – but because it’s 2025. You’ve gotta get yourself on social media, right now. It doesn’t matter what level you work at, whether you’re starting out or have been around in the industry for ages… no matter what, if you’re a fashion designer or a model, posting simple selfies on Instagram without anything that truly highlights your work just isn’t going to cut it.

Scheduling fashion photography sessions ticks all the boxes – it can be used in genuine advertizing, but it’s also social media ready! And if you know anything about me, you know I love a win-win.

Want to Uniquely Feature Your Fashion Design Work?

If you’re a designer and you’re looking for a unique photoshoot that will highlight your work gorgeously, and showcase the attitude you want your work associated with… let’s talk! I would love to put together a session that will show viewers your hard work, in the best possible way. Whether you have models you regularly work with that you want to wear them – or you ARE a model, looking for shots for your portfolio – we can collaborate to get you exactly what you need!

Bonus: Take a look at just a few results that my AMAZING team of collaborators and me have gotten for our social media management clients!