Haute Couture

As I walk in the path as a fashion photographer, I find myself searching for techniques on how to perform in great speeds so that I could have less time in the studio and more time on the drawing boards.

As a fashion photographer it was something that I never thought of becoming. While picking up the camera, professionally, fashion was not one of the genres that came to my mind. I always had sports photography on my mind; due to the love of sports that I have. While attending Arts Institute of Las Vegas, I was told by instructors that having such passion for sports, would find it’s difficulties during the game. Sports, is something that is part of my life and my families and it was not about to get ruin with my selfishness.

Some friends that are heavily involved in fashion design first introduced fashion photography to me. I was always confronted to take pictures of models for their clothing design. Understanding on how to organize a shoot, in a studio or on location, getting familiar with makeup artist, and fashion designers, and searching for the right model are some of the key elements to gather for a shoot.

Attempting my own fashion shoot without the help of instructors, I found it difficult to control my subject (model). All the models that I hired, under a “trade for” shoots were all amateurs and had no clue to how to even start a pose or how to follow the next pose. I understood the lighting position and the settings for my camera but found it difficult to try to come up with a pose that will lead to the next myself.

Being able to learn from others mistakes only make you more knowledgeable. Participating in seminars brought me new ideas to my performance. WPPI (wedding portrait and photography international) showed me a technique that I thought was great for my career.

The "Fast Pose" technique is very popular in the world of wedding photography. By using this technique it allows more one on one time with the client and the photographer.

In today's weddings, the client has adjusted to get done with time with the photographer and be able to return to the ceremony. So photographers came up with a way to be able to shoot 25 images in a short amount of time.

This technique only made my time with the model shorter but also it allowed me to look at my mistakes before the time for editing which is a very important, in case you need to have the subject move a centimeter to the left or right. Depending on the concept, they're are agencies that will charge a great amount for just an hour or two with the model; and that is another element that is now being used properly.

While attempting to execute this technique, “Fast Pose” I have found the first attempt to be a challenge. Later on in the shoot it adjusted to my benefit. Researching easy poses and following with a pose that didn't allow it to have any similarity was the challenge. This editorial book about poses will show you how to start a shoot with a simple pose to finalize it with an amazing pose that will leave your clients in shock.

You may feel that digital editing will improve your image but truth is the less your edit your image the faster you will return your final product to your client. Fast outcome is the lesson to “Fast Pose”. This technique does not only eliminate time in the studio but it eliminates processing time for your product. We as photographers need to push our work out of our studios to our clients quickly, so we can start with a new project. Understanding this type of method will bring your studio more clientele and also better equipment.

I will start the book with a simple stand in pose and lead you with hand movement and why the hand would be position at that general location. That is the key element to starting a photo shoot, you must locate an easy and strong pose to structure the photo shoot to end it with a final strong pose.

A lot of these poses are very generic but if you find the creativity that you posses inside, these poses will lead to great shots. I shot all my poses in studio, so you, the reader, can view and understand more about that pose. Great lighting Next, I will speak on leg position and try to point out the advantages on why it should be place there and help that position with the lighting to the subjects face and upper torso and also point out the clothing the subject is wearing. I will finish of the book with a final pose that will help your image be on the top and become front cover worthy or store front worthy. Understanding the simple key elements to position of any body part and the help of lighting to the models facial expression are all key elements that will help the designer with his art.