Understanding the fundamentals of photo shoot styling will not only take the pressure off planning your photo shoot, it will also allow your photographer to shoot a series of portraits that are on-point with your personality and vision.
TEXTURE
This is created by the fabrics you wear and the way in which you layer them. Heavy knits, denim, crochet, leather, lace, tweed and ruffles are all key in creating texture and dimension to your images. Textured fabrics allow the photographer to play with light and shadow, as different fabrics absorb and reflect light in very different ways. Texture is extremely important in black and white images as it brings that pop without the use of colour.
COLOUR
Colour is one of the key elements of any photo shoot. Your colour pallet determines the mood of a portrait, therefore it’s important to combine the right colours to achieve the look and feel that you want. A simple technique that stylists use is to combine colours from opposite ends of the colour wheel, also known as colour blocking. This creates a high-contrast yet classy effect.
You can use a similar principle to create a softer pallet by combining different shades of the same neutral colour. Or you can bring a neutral outfit to life with a pop of colour. A little black dress, for example, can go from boring to bold with the addition of some bright red shoes or accessories.
Remember, colour styling goes deeper than just the outfits you bring in. It includes the colour of your hair and make-up, your props and even the photographers choice of backdrop.
LAYERING
Layering is the bringing together of the first 3 fundamentals of photo shoot styling into a single cohesive outfit. The same way that opposites attract on the colour wheel, mixing different lengths and proportions is key to achieving the perfect layered look.
ACCESSORIES
Accessories are important to a fashion shoot because they create contrast and a point of focus and are a great way to express your personality! Accessories can be used to make a simple outfit more dynamic or to draw attention to a certain area.
Accessories can also be used as props in a photo shoot. When people get nervous they tend to fidget, so having a hat or watch to play with can help the subject to feel more comfortable on camera. Bringing accessories such as hats, scarfs, jewellery or anything along these lines allows the photographer to mix up the photo shoot without having to do multiple wardrobe changes. This is great if you want more variety in your shoot.
PERSONALITY
Doing a photo shoot is all about exploring different sides of your personality. It’s important to wear clothes that you feel comfortable in, but at the same time it’s a chance to be bold and an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone.
While the points described here are a set of tried and tested rules, it’s also fun to break the rules. This is your photo shoot, so own it and make it yours! Contact Shot Spot today to set your photoshoot Vancouver.