I spent the weekend working with a very talented photographer putting together the look book for my label and I realised that this would be a good time to share a few pointers with you guys.

Your first photo shoot is the time when you can really stand back and realise that this is actually happening – your dream is coming true. It’s also an incredibly stressful day and takes a lot of organisation and planning to make it happen. Here you’ll find some tips on getting through the day in one piece and getting the most out of the shoot.

1. Pick a photographer you can work with

The first step in finding the photographer to work with. Have a look through their portfolio and then sit down and make sure there’s some chemistry between you – to get the most out of your shoot, you’re going to need to be able to communicate your vision openly and honestly. You’ll also need to feel confident enough to have input on the day of the shoot to make sure you get the shots you want.

 

2. Pick models that will look good together

Selecting good looking models is one thing, but you should try keep the overall image of your line in mind when you select them. You should be looking for models that are not only going to look great wearing your clothes, but will also look good standing side by side. In my opinion, the best way to do this is print out a photo of each model you want to use and line them up next to each other to see if they work as a unit.

 

3. Don’t over think things

When it comes to scheduling a date for photo shoot, you might have to book it months in advance. Knowing the way the weather swings, there’s no way you can predict what it’s going to do on your big day. So what happens if you have everything planned down to the minute and the weather changes and ruin your plans The best way to deal with this is to be flexible. I’m not saying that you should leave it all to chance on the day but try to have a few ideas in terms of location and accessories for your outfits. That way no matter what happens on the day you’ll be able to get the shots you’re after.

4. Make sure your clothing looks perfect on the day

This is your labels big day. It’s your chance to capture your clothing in it’s best light ready to present to the world. That’s why it’s important you make sure each garment is looking it’s best for the shoot. Make sure you bring multiple sizes of each shirt to the shoot just in case the models look better in a size bigger or smaller than their normal fit. Then I would recommend going over each garment and double checking things like loose threads, that all your labels are stitched on properly and that they’re looking crisp and wrinkle free.

What we did for my latest shoot was buy a garment steamer. I managed to pick one up from my local electrical store for around $100 (AU). I steamed all the tees the night before and hung them on hangers and put them in a plastic travel suit bag. I then packed the steamer in the car and we gave the shirts a steam throughout the day to make sure they looked rad in all the photos.

 

5. Get professional hair and makeup

If you can find a professional hair and makeup artist to use on the day it can really make the difference between a good photo and a great photo. If you have friends who are in the industry, that’s the first port of call. If not, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get professional results. Jump on the internet and look up your local beauty school and ask them if they have any students who could help out on the day in exchange for images for their portfolio. It’s a double benefit – you get someone great to work with you and in return you can help out someone with their career.

 

6. Keep things fun for everyone

Whether you’re paying the models or you’ve found awesome people who are helping you out, the experience should be fun for everyone. The more relaxed and comfortable everyone is on set, the more you’re going to get out of them and the better your photos are going to be. The little things can go a long way – try getting some food together to keep everyone fed, some drinks and a stereo to bring on set to keep things chilled.

 

And lastly…try to enjoy yourself. After all this is your big day. Remember that the more you put in, the more you’ll get out. Follow these tips and you’ll come out on top with some sensational photos to show off your line. Good luck!