Styling is a crucial part of any successful fashion label. It controls the presentation of your clothing in the shop and ensures that it stands out. Therefore, a toolkit complete with high-quality implements is mandatory.
In other words, you need to put in some effort to have a great picture shoot. Occasionally, conditions may be ideal for an unplanned photo shoot. Unfortunately, however, this is the rare case.
When planning a picture shoot's aesthetic, keep in mind the following guidelines.
The stylist and photographer work together to create a cohesive look. Some basic guidelines are helpful to have on hand if you're ever requested to style a photoshoot. Cosmetology is equal parts art and science. To begin seriously testing out your ideas, you need to be familiar with the ground rules.
Tools for Photographers and Fashion Stylists
Styling on a mannequin or a flat lay requires a different set of tools than what you would use in a normal photo studio.
Learn the fundamentals of fashion product photography and what tools a fashion stylist or fashion product photographer needs to get stunning images of garments in this comprehensive book.
The essential tools for any stylist:
- Clips of various kinds, including alligator clips, binder clips, snap clips, and others.
- Fishing line; sometimes known as fishing string or ghost line.
- Partially permanent adhesives like blue tack and white tack
- Tape measures made to order
- Shears/scissors Stylish shears are prefered, but regular shears will suffice in a pinch.
- Often referred to as simply "brush," this tool has bristles that are too stiff to be used on suede.
- Tape - A wide variety of it exists, from gaffer tape to duct tape to cellophane tape to masking tape to double-sided tape.
- Safety pins, pins, hair clips, fastening pins, and other types of pins for pinning fabrics or using a lint roller on themselves.
- Paper for crafts or crepe (sometimes known as tissue paper)
Pins
In most cases, a clothes pin will be used to secure an item of clothing to a plastic doll or a hanger.
When you pin (with bobby pins or safety pins) along the seams of your clothing, you can make the back and shoulders look more tailored.
They are quite helpful when taking photos of your clothing from different angles. Simply sewing them within the fabric renders them practically unnoticeable in-camera.
Clips
Clips, which serve the same purpose as pins but are better equipped to hold various fabrics in place, might be regarded of as a "heavier-duty" alternative to pins.
Use them when you need to fasten an item of clothing manufactured from a material that a safety pins will not be able to pierce. If you need to attach something to a transparent fabric, clips are a great choice.
Using pins, you can give your products the shape and style required by your company's styling guide. Are you unsure of what a guideline is and why you need one? To learn more, click the link.
White Tack
The use of Blu-tack in the world of fashion is extensive. In the most basic sense, this is when regular fasteners like clips and pins just won't do the job, as is the case when securing thicker pieces of cloth.
White tack is useful if you want to emphasise a certain part of the bag or if you simply desire the strap to lie flat. When properly executed, the white approach is advantageous since it disappears into the scenery.
Scissors
Due to their size, fineness, and shape, a specific type of scissors is frequently referred to as fashion scissors. You should obviously cut off any loose threads or remove any tags before taking pictures of your purchase.
To keep your stylish scissors in good condition, refrain from using them to cut paper and tape. Due to the precise nature of the work they were designed for, they become ineffective when the blade goes dull, just like a kitchen knife.
Fishing Line
One of the most unappreciated and vital products in every hairdresser's arsenal is fishing line. It's multipurpose, and helps the stylist resist gravitation while staying out of sight.
If you want your clothing to look like they're floating, hang them with fishing line. This high-quality rope is practically undetected by most cameras. It can be used to elevate purse straps for better photography, giving you more creative leeway.
Stiff Brush
It's important to use a stiff brush when dealing with fragile materials. Suede is a good example since it needs to be brushed evenly so that the knap doesn't look "blotchy."
You can use it to clean fur and other fabrics that easily show dirt and fingerprints. If you want to keep your fabric in good shape, brush it lightly.
Tape
To maximise your styling potential, stock up on a selection of tapes. When removed, masking tape's adhesive doesn't leave behind any lingering tack.
For a more professional presentation, you can attach your outfit to a mannequin with double-sided tape. Gaffa tape can be used in place of masking or double-sided tape on fabrics that are too thick for those types of tape, though it does leave an adhesive mess and should be handled with care.
Lint Roller
A lint roller is an indispensable tool for cleaning garments and eliminating lint, dust, and other microscopic particles. Before you shoot your product, always use a lint roller to get rid of any stray lint that may have clung to it during the heating process.
Since a lint roller is crucial for getting rid of dust and lint on darker fabrics, an additional light source may be necessary to bring out the details.
Towels or Toilet Paper
Every hairdresser absolutely needs to have tissue on hand. Why? This is because it allows a stylist to emphasise different parts of an ensemble.
Tissue paper is an excellent prop for tabletop (or "flat lay") photography because it can be used to create curves and angles in your clothing. One can bulk up an item of clothing by stuffing it with paper or tissue, such as a shirt sleeve or a pair of jeans.
You can achieve a more personalised look with the use of tissue, pins, clips, and anything else you may have on hand.
Measuring Tape
Whether or not exact measurements are crucial to the final fit or appearance of the items being photographed, a tape measure is an important accessory for every design or product photographer.
The fitting process can be sped up if you already have the customer's bust size, arm length, and collar size.
Styling Essentials for a Photo Shoot
Incorporate these fundamentals into your routine, and your shoots will go swimmingly.
Colour
This is crucial when planning the look of a photo shoot. A picture's vibe and tempo can be changed by tweaking its colour scheme. Using colours that are completely opposite one another on the colour wheel is a popular trick used by many fashion designers.
This produces stylishly stark contrast in the image. Color blocking is a useful fashion trick that you should learn.
To ensure that your photographer is happy with your colour choices, be sure to communicate frequently with them. When planning the overall colour scheme for the session, don't forget to factor in hair, makeup, and the setting.
Texture
Your photographer will love the texture since it gives them a ton of creative freedom to play with light and shadow.
Black and white photography requires the surface. Adding texture to an outfit is as simple as selecting the right fabric. Fabrics like denim, leather, knit, lace, and tweed each have their own unique texture and light absorption characteristics. Your photographer will appreciate it if you think about texture when you're getting dressed.
Layering
When producing an image, layering is an excellent tool for drawing attention to some features of a subject's attire while drawing less attention to others. Layering is an effective style strategy that may be used without drowning your model in fabric. One easy guideline is to pare down bulky parts with cuts that emphasize thinness.
Accessories
Similarly to how layering may provide depth to a photo, accessorizing can add contrast to an otherwise flat scene. Accessorizing is a popular way for stylists to put their stamp on a session and reveal their individuality and sense of style.
Long earrings bring attention to the lips, while a necklace highlights the chest.
Physical props like accessories are great for making a model look more at ease and natural in a photo shoot.
Your Vision
Right now is your big moment! Your sense of style and direction for the shoot will be crucial. Don't forget to bring this inside the room. You know the basics, so why not try some rule-bending for size? Put on that bizarre article of clothes you've been itching to experiment with. The development of your personal style relies heavily on your own ingenuity. Just do it!
What You Need to Know Before Styling Your Next Photoshoot?
Location
Preferences for tools are based on location. Your location selection is crucial since it will determine the resources you will need to get the job done. It's important to consider the lenses you'd need for the studio space you have while planning a shoot there. It's possible that a 35mm or 50mm lens is all you have room for in your tiny studio when it comes to portraiture. In a tight location, a 24-70mm lens would be most useful, but when shooting portraits up close, you should be aware of potential distortions caused by the lens's wide angle.
If you want to shoot indoors using only natural light, you'll need to plan around the time of day you're shooting and the amount of ambient and natural light in the room. Having a reflector on standby for both nodes is recommended, particularly for indoor situations. Distinct visual effects can be attained by using various glasses.
Backdrops
Your backdrop is something else to think about when photographing indoors. If the location is the client's house, you may want to get some images so you can get a feel for the layout of the room, the lighting, and any windows or other potential backdrops. You'll have more freedom and flexibility to set up as you like in your own home or studio. You can use any of the available surfaces in your home, whether they are bright or dark in colour, made of cloth or walls, covered in wallpaper or painted. If you want a clearer picture, you might want to remove some of the clutter that's now in it.
Weather – Plan B
If you need to film outdoors, have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate. As a backup, you might always visit a local coffee or seek refuge under a gazebo. The reverse is usually the case when photographing outside during the day. At times, there may be an excess of illumination. First, you'll need to choose a shooting time of day. Is this going to be the "golden hour?" The midst of the day? When did you wake up? Dusk? Evening? Take into account the requirements of each time period.
Favorite Times of Day to Shoot
Due to the direction of the incoming light, the sunset hours, such as the early dawn and late afternoon, are optimal for photography. The morning light, on the other hand, is probably going to be too cold, while the golden hour light could give your images a great warm glow. Midday is when the sun is directly overhead and has the strongest rays. You can decrease the impression by applying reflections to cancel out the darkness under your eyes. Natural reflectors such as concrete sidewalks, white walls, and floors, and the usual photography reflectors are also options.
Suburban or rural? Totally diverse atmospheres can be felt in each. It's possible you'll need to bring less gear if you're filming in a crowded urban area with no convenient parking options. You can bring as many sets of lights, cameras, and props as you can fit in your car if you shoot in the country, which simplifies logistics.
While natural lighting is always an important consideration, it is less of one when shooting with artificial light, whether indoors or out. However, additional tools like light stands, softboxes, electronic flashes, triggers and receivers, batteries, and diffusers would be necessary for this.
Scheme of Primary Colors
Small changes in approach can have a significant impact on the final product. The use of proper lighting is only one component in producing a professional-quality, aesthetically pleasing image. It involves a wide variety of shades and colour combinations. You may choose a theme like "vintage," "contemporary," "bold," "minimal," "maximal," or "chaotic" to determine how you frame your photos. Think about how you feel in the summer, spring, fall, or winter. Keeping these factors in mind can help you narrow down your choices to the most practical ones.
When that's done, it's your call which colours to use! There is no better colour palette for the winter than white, grey, and blue; however, you are free to add a splash of another hue if you choose. It's possible that pastels and primary greens may coexist this spring. Summertime may be a time of great joy and ease, with sunny days and mild weather. The vibrant gardens of fall can display a wide spectrum of colours, from orange and red to purple and green.
It's possible that you could save time and effort during the shoot if you connect with the shoot's physically while you mentally prepare for it. To maximise the vibrancy of the rainbow's hues in a photograph, it's preferable to set the scene vs a black or white backdrop.
Props
Supporting items are not required but are recommended. When I am taking pictures of toddlers or preschoolers, I usually ask the parents to sneak in a bag of the kids' favourite toys. While we're filming, I may need to distract them, reassure them, use them as a distraction, or even force them to look at the camera. The photographer may only have room for one prop, typically a cuddly toy.
For engagement photos, I always suggest that the couple pick out one or two meaningful accessories to include in the frame. Among the many gifts we've received are picnic baskets, bicycles, guitars, novels, and flowers. It's perfectly OK if a couple doesn't want to use any props or can't think of any. It's not uncommon for me to recommend getting a bouquet of flowers as a safety measure. Couples who have never had professional photos taken together may feel more comfortable if they have something to hold, such as a bouquet of flowers.
It's also possible to employ an article of clothing or an accessory as a prop. The right hat, backpack, or shoes can do the trick. That brings us to our next point...
Outfits
Any number of external elements, such as the weather or the lighting, can threaten the outcome of a picture shoot. To say that the clothes would wreck your shoot would be an exaggeration, but they will certainly have a significant impact on it.
They constantly provide me with new options, and eventually we find a couple that works for both of us.
Their clothing choice was unfortunate because it did not complement the surroundings. They were pleased with the photos and thought they turned out well, but their clothes prevented the shoot from being widely shared.
Try to get your clients to approach the photo shoot as a big event that requires advance planning and preparation. They may even splurge on new threads for the photo session if they so desired. It's up to the individual to decide if they want to wear matching clothes, such as all white shorts and pants. I prefer timeless combinations of complimentary colours and patterns over trendy ones like checks or uniforms. It's crucial that you have this conversation with your client. Our number one piece of advice to customers is to stay away from flashy fonts and logos, cartoon characters, large numbers and letters, and other fad-based elements.
Conclusion
Styling is a crucial part of any successful fashion label. Therefore, a toolkit complete with high-quality implements is mandatory. Some basic guidelines are helpful to have on hand if you're ever requested to style a photoshoot. Styling on a mannequin or a flat lay requires a different set of tools than in a normal photo studio. Clips are a great choice if you need to attach something to a transparent fabric.
White tack is useful if you want to emphasise a certain part of the bag or if you simply desire the strap to lie flat. If you want your clothing to look like they're floating, hang them with fishing line. A lint roller is an indispensable tool for cleaning garments and eliminating lint, dust, and other microscopic particles. Tape measures are an important accessory for every design or product photographer. A picture's vibe and tempo can be changed by tweaking its colour scheme.
Using colours that are completely opposite one another on the colour wheel is a popular trick used by many fashion designers. Fabrics like denim, leather, knit, lace, and tweed each have their own unique texture and light absorption characteristics. Layering is an effective style strategy that may be used without drowning your model in fabric. Accessorizing is a popular way for stylists to put their stamp on a session and reveal their individuality and sense of style. When photographing indoors, you'll need to plan around the time of day you're shooting and the amount of ambient and natural light in the room.
Having a reflector on standby for both nodes is recommended, particularly for indoor situations. If filming outdoors, have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate. If you are shooting in the country, bring as many sets of lights, cameras, and props as you can fit in your car. You may choose a theme like "vintage," "contemporary," "bold," "minimal," "maximal," or "chaotic" to determine how you frame your photos. There is no better colour palette for the winter than white, grey, and blue; however, feel free to add another hue if you choose.
For engagement photos, I always suggest that the couple pick out one or two meaningful accessories to include in the frame. Among the many gifts we've received are picnic baskets, bicycles, guitars, novels, and flowers. It's perfectly OK if a couple doesn't want to use any props or can't think of any.
Content Summary:
- It controls the presentation of your clothing in the shop and ensures that it stands out.
- Therefore, a toolkit complete with high-quality implements is mandatory.
- In other words, you need to put in some effort to have a great picture shoot.
- When planning a picture shoot's aesthetic, keep in mind the following guidelines.
- To begin seriously testing out your ideas, you need to be familiar with the ground rules.
- Styling on a mannequin or a flat lay requires a different set of tools than what you would use in a normal photo studio.
- Learn the fundamentals of fashion product photography and what tools a fashion stylist or fashion product photographer needs to get stunning images of garments in this comprehensive book.
- The essential tools for any stylist: Clips of various kinds, including alligator clips, binder clips, snap clips, and others.
- Use them when you need to fasten an item of clothing manufactured from a material that a safety pins will not be able to pierce.
- Using pins, you can give your products the shape and style required by your company's styling guide.
- The use of Blu-tack in the world of fashion is extensive.
- In the most basic sense, this is when regular fasteners like clips and pins just won't do the job, as is the case when securing thicker pieces of cloth.
- Due to their size, fineness, and shape, a specific type of scissors is frequently referred to as fashion scissors.
- To keep your stylish scissors in good condition, refrain from using them to cut paper and tape.
- One of the most unappreciated and vital products in every hairdresser's arsenal is fishing line.
- If you want your clothing to look like they're floating, hang them with fishing line.
- For a more professional presentation, you can attach your outfit to a mannequin with double-sided tape.
- Before you shoot your product, always use a lint roller to get rid of any stray lint that may have clung to it during the heating process.
- Since a lint roller is crucial for getting rid of dust and lint on darker fabrics, an additional light source may be necessary to bring out the details.
- Every hairdresser absolutely needs to have tissue on hand.
- Tissue paper is an excellent prop for tabletop (or "flat lay") photography because it can be used to create curves and angles in your clothing.
- One can bulk up an item of clothing by stuffing it with paper or tissue, such as a shirt sleeve or a pair of jeans.
- You can achieve a more personalised look with the use of tissue, pins, clips, and anything else you may have on hand.
- Whether or not exact measurements are crucial to the final fit or appearance of the items being photographed, a tape measure is an important accessory for every design or product photographer.
- This is crucial when planning the look of a photo shoot.
- A picture's vibe and tempo can be changed by tweaking its colour scheme.
- Adding texture to an outfit is as simple as selecting the right fabric.
- Layering is an effective style strategy that may be used without drowning your model in fabric.
- Physical props like accessories are great for making a model look more at ease and natural in a photo shoot.
- Your sense of style and direction for the shoot will be crucial.
- The development of your personal style relies heavily on your own ingenuity.
- Preferences for tools are based on location.
- It's important to consider the lenses you'd need for the studio space you have while planning a shoot there.
- If you want to shoot indoors using only natural light, you'll need to plan around the time of day you're shooting and the amount of ambient and natural light in the room.
- You'll have more freedom and flexibility to set up as you like in your own home or studio.
- If you need to film outdoors, have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate.
- First, you'll need to choose a shooting time of day.
- Take into account the requirements of each time period.
- You can bring as many sets of lights, cameras, and props as you can fit in your car if you shoot in the country, which simplifies logistics.
- While natural lighting is always an important consideration, it is less of one when shooting with artificial light, whether indoors or out.
- Small changes in approach can have a significant impact on the final product.
- The use of proper lighting is only one component in producing a professional-quality, aesthetically pleasing image.
- You may choose a theme like "vintage," "contemporary," "bold," "minimal," "maximal," or "chaotic" to determine how you frame your photos.
- Think about how you feel in the summer, spring, fall, or winter.
- When that's done, it's your call which colours to use!
- It's possible that you could save time and effort during the shoot if you connect with the shoot's physically while you mentally prepare for it.
- To maximise the vibrancy of the rainbow's hues in a photograph, it's preferable to set the scene vs a black or white backdrop.
- Minimal props are my choice, however I think it would be helpful to have them on set as tools rather than as props.
- For engagement photos, I always suggest that the couple pick out one or two meaningful accessories to include in the frame.
- It's perfectly OK if a couple doesn't want to use any props or can't think of any.
- It's not uncommon for me to recommend getting a bouquet of flowers as a safety measure.
- Couples who have never had professional photos taken together may feel more comfortable if they have something to hold, such as a bouquet of flowers.
- It's also possible to employ an article of clothing or an accessory as a prop.
- Any number of external elements, such as the weather or the lighting, can threaten the outcome of a picture shoot.
- To say that the clothes would wreck your shoot would be an exaggeration, but they will certainly have a significant impact on it.
- They constantly provide me with new options, and eventually we find a couple that works for both of us.
- Their clothing choice was unfortunate because it did not complement the surroundings.
- They were pleased with the photos and thought they turned out well, but their clothes prevented the shoot from being widely shared.
- Try to get your clients to approach the photo shoot as a big event that requires advance planning and preparation.
- They may even splurge on new threads for the photo session if they so desired.
- It's up to the individual to decide if they want to wear matching clothes, such as all white shorts and pants.
- It's crucial that you have this conversation with your client.
- My number one piece of advice to customers is to stay away from flashy fonts and logos, cartoon characters, large numbers and letters, and other fad-based elements.
FAQs About Stylist
Fashion stylists work for individuals, fashion houses and clothing brands. Their main responsibilities include providing fashion advice; choosing and co-ordinating outfits for models in photo shoots or actors in television and film; and choosing props and accessories and preparing them for shoots.
Here are some common reasons for becoming a stylist to help you prepare your response: Expression of creativity: Many stylists using clothing and accessories as an expression of their creativity. They use their creativity to develop concepts for their clients or communicate messages through clothing.
In terms of education, some fashion stylists possess a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree, but when interviewing to be someone's personal stylist, the topic of college may never come up. Years of experience in the industry will open more doors than a particular diploma.
They adapt or modify designs created by others to produce less expensive versions. Also, they enhance images for fashion shoots and they can relate garments to a mood.
A stylist is a creative position who usually collaborates with the clients, photographer, art director, makeup artist to come up with the visual concept of the project. It's their job to make the people and also the clothing and accessories look their very best in the shot.
