How many times have we looked at a photo in a fashion magazine and admired the beautiful image and the glamorous model. But we never think about the effort it takes to make that perfect photo we admire so much. That glorious image is the work of many people...the photo crew...photographer, model, hairstylist, makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, and assistants. Their job is neither easy, nor glamorous. Here's a behind-the-scenes description of a photo shoot and the creation of "The Perfect Image."
Weeks/days prior to the shoot...the magazine/client and crew members will be busy...
Scheduling a date, searching through tons of portfolios to locate the crew members and perfect model for the look wanted and hoping everyone is available, having a planning meeting with crew to discuss the theme, location scouting and getting permission to use the property, shopping for days and sometimes weeks for the perfect clothes and accessories to depict the chosen theme, a wardrobe fitting, a trip to the beauty supply store for false lashes and hair extensions and who knows what else, follow up emails, checking the weather and coming up with plan B in case it rains...
The day of the shoot...
Several hours of hair, makeup and wardrobe, loading the car with cameras, lighting equipment, and clothes, driving to the location, wading through snake infested woods to get to that perfect field of flowers, changing wardrobe in the backseat of a car or nasty roadside gas station bathroom, making adjustments for clothes or shoes that are too big or too small, trying to keep the model from freezing/sweating to death shooting Spring clothes in the dead of Winter or Fall clothes in the scorching heat of Summer, constantly adjusting for changing light conditions, touching up hair and makeup, racing to catch the perfect sunset, going to plan B...it's raining!
But that's not the end of this story, unused clothes and accessories need to be returned to their respective stores, and the photographer spends hours and hours editing photos and getting them submitted.
Now you get the real picture. So, next time you see a fashion photo that you so greatly admire...you will appreciate it that much more.
Photographer - Stephanie Moore (
www.stephaniemoorestudios.com)
Hair - Phee Phee Green
Styling and Makeup - Lisa Byrd Thomas
Model - Antonia of ETA
