My first fashion shoot!

A good friend of mine started her own line of Bridal Gowns last season. Her catalog for her spring collection was... well... it was horrible, I spent hours upon hours ps'ing the images to make them presentable for her. So she had asked if I would shoot the fall collection, it sounded like fun so i said sure! I knew I could do a better job then the schmuck who did the spring line even though I have never ever done fashion photography before.

I realize, as I edit these images, I am NOT a fashion photographer. I still shot like a wedding photographer, and I edited like a wedding photographer. However; because this is a line of wedding gowns, i think this one time I can get away with it! We shot in a hotel lobby around a Nike Canada Conference... sigh... buffet tables and sneakers everywhere!! Choosing locations was a challenge all in itself!

My hat goes off to all the Professional Fashion Photographers! I also have a new respect for professional Models! WOW. She was amazing to work with, amazing to shoot and we had so much fun! SHE made the difference in this shoot.

So, that being said, to all the Pro Fashion shooters' I apologize in advance if I messed it up! But I like the images, so I wanted to show them off!

All crit is welcomed, and expected. Good and Bad...

they are nice shots, but typically you would shoot these for the dress, these appear to be shot for the model.

Yowza!!!!! Nice shots!!!

I like the feel of your photos. Good job.

zagiace wrote in post #9746347
they are nice shots, but typically you would shoot these for the dress, these appear to be shot for the model.

To the OP, I can see and appreciate your talent for this work and think you did an excellent job. Something, though, seems not quite right for me and I think Zagiace hit it right on the head.

Thank you everyone.

Zagiace, and Peacefield, you are right. I agree 100 % as I was going through them I had noticed that as well. How would I have done that? What could I have done differently?

Check out bridal magazines, generally if you cut off anything it's part of the model not the dress, backgrounds that are not directly relayed to the style of the dress are distracting, and density/color of the dress are critical.

I did cut off the model in a LOT of shots, the designer was not happy with that! LOL she would chimp, and ask me to reshoot it with the entire model! She also wanted the busier backgrounds, because her last catalog and editorial was all grey backgrounds. plain one solid colour, she is trying to step out of the box.

being a wedding photographer, in my experience, I have learned to not look at the bridal magazines, if i ever want to consider fashion photography seriously,i will make sure to pick some up.

Thank you Zagiace, your advice is appreciated! I think you are right.

I know nothing about fashion photography so beyond Zagace's insights, I can only offer suggestions as a casual viewer might.

The model herself is very strong, her look, her poses, the way she looks into the camera. For me, I think, the model and her poses have a lot to do with it. Looking into the camera less may help. The first image is probably the best at showcasing the dress instead of the model, excepting of course the cropping. I also like the subdued, simple, and recognizable background in the first. In the others, I feel like the dress is not only competing with the model but also other strong elements all around her. All for what it's worth.

Joelene wrote in post #9767637
I did cut off the model in a LOT of shots, the designer was not happy with that! LOL she would chimp, and ask me to reshoot it with the entire model! She also wanted the busier backgrounds, because her last catalog and editorial was all grey backgrounds. plain one solid colour, she is trying to step out of the box.

We all know that 80's saying "The customer is always right" I think this is a great example. If the client chimps on the shot and has input, I follow it no matter what i think. But, I shoot it twice, once my way and once theirs.
Your shots are really nice, if the client liked them then that is whats important.
I too was told to not look at bridal magazines, I do anyway. My customers look at them and sometimes even pull out clippings of shots they really like. I will say looking through them doesn't do me much good. lol