Depending on the client's brief for the shoot, as far as style is concerned it might be a simple open book session, when I am just asked to get whatever I feel suits. This is rare, however, for this shoot each of the collection dresses has to have a full-length front and back image shot as well as a threequarter image, plus any details, not forgetting the slight changes in the dress accessories. The accessories might be as simple as a belt change, a jacket added, or even a clip in the train.
Image 3 – Shorty
When a dress has something a little different, as with this 'shorty' dress, the image has to sell this dress more and will have to ooze fun in the expression of the model, as well as look amazing to attract the right sort of woman to buy it. I have to remember that it is the dress I am being paid to shoot and not the model, but this image is more about painting a lifestyle than just the dress itself.
Image 4 – Foliage
To make sure I have the shot 'in the can' there are times, especially with this shorty, to shoot it in a slightly different set-up or location. The bench used in this image is a simple three-step walk from the railings of the last shot. However, to make sure I to bring a little more depth to the image, I shoot through some plant foliage to create out-of-focus patterns in the foreground as well as the background.
Image 5 – Diffusion
When the sun is more of a distraction, or a problem, in the image than a benefit, the quickest thing is to remove it, or diffuse it. In this case, a large 6x4 Lastolite diffusion screen is placed between the subject and the sun; the twostop diffuser works well here to diffuse the sun, but it also allows me to lift the dark background a little due to the two-stop drop in the light on the subject.
Image – 06 Sun Drenched
When a full-length shot is impossible to diffuse I simply get the model to look away from the camera, to look at the floor or to the side, this will allow any image that I shoot to be usable by avoiding the black eyes caused by the shadow created from the overhead sun.
Image – 06 Diffused
Diffusing the sun with a diffusion panel for the close-ups is essential, as these images are again more dominated by the model's expression, as she is closer to the camera and so some of the images will have eye contact with the lens.
The Team
Left to right
Carl – Stylist
Tara – Model
Angela – The Client and Designer
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