Dallas is one of the most populated and colorful cities in America with a vibrant arts community and tons of Fortune 500 companies to work with!! For you to grow and become a Dallas fashion photographer, you need to master the basics, learn how to attract clients, and know what to do in a fashion photoshoot!!

Dallas Fashion Photographers

A Dallas fashion photographer understands what it means to sell and showase fashion through images. To capture details and movement in a fashionable way, you need the right equipment, a keen eye for fashion, and teamwork.

Before you can begin shooting for clients, we'll first look into the basics of how you can enter the world of fashion photography.

What Is Fashion Photography?

Fashion photography is a genre that concentrates on showcasing clothing, shoes, accessories, and other fashion products. The theme or concept can be range from fun, stylish, glamorous, or luxurious, all the way to moody, dramatic, or serious. There are different types of fashion photography, and many Dallas fashion photographers make a living from shooting this niche.

Lifestyle: Fashion-lifestyle photography focuses on people in everyday situations that can highlight a fashion item. The goal is to bring out what it feels like wearing the clothes, as well as the personality of the people wearing them.
Editorial Fashion: Normally featured in magazines and books, editorial fashion photography in Dallas illustrates trends or concepts that you might otherwise not wear. It doesn't focus on selling items, although it aims to evoke a narrative.
High-End Fashion: When it comes to high-end fashion photography, you will ultimately sell clothes or products while also showcasing the creative style and vision of fashion houses.
Catalog Fashion: Fashion catalog photography showcases fashion products attractively and clearly so consumers can see how they fit. It typically involves shooting inside a studio with a neutral background so nothing can distract the viewers from the items.
Product or Commercial: In Texas, this form of advertising fashion photography includes both simple and intricate shots of fashion items such as clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Lookbook Fashion: A form of straightforward fashion photography where a model becomes a 'hanger' to exhibit clothes or products from a designer's latest collection. Unlike the plainness of catalog photography, a lookbook sells clothes using a context or idea.

3 Ways to Get Started in Fashion Photography in Dallas

Pursuing a career in fashion photography will give you the opportunity to work with models, agencies, stylists, and designers. However, you must have these skills to produce quality fashion photos.

Have an Eye for Fashion

While you may already have an artistic eye as a photographer, you also need to have an aptitude for fashion. For example, most clients that look for fashion photographers in Dallas are interested in someone who can translate their creative concepts or visions into compelling images.

You should know what revolves around the fashion world — trends, personalities, colors, styles, aesthetics, and the likes. Furthermore, a good fashion photographer must have a broad understanding of a shoot's logistical and technical aspects, including lighting, composition, poses, location, and work ethic.

Communicate and Work with a Team Effectively

During your first few fashion shoots, you may work alone or collaborate with a team of stylists, hair and makeup artists, as well as directors to set a complete shoot. Fashion photography in Texas is a team effort, so you must communicate well and set expectations for everyone involved.

While these are trying times, there are still about 75% of freelancers in the American arts and creative industry, giving them the flexibility to collaborate with different people. As you grow in the industry, you can tap certain people you want to work with.

For instance, there are several producers in Dallas who you can get as a location scouter. You'll also need someone who can deal with complex lighting setups or advanced makeup. The goal is that you can efficiently do everything without sacrificing your responsibilities as a fashion photographer.

Prepare Legal Documents

It’s important to obtain permits, licenses, and model releases since you'll be working with agencies, brands, and people with recognizable faces.

A model release is the most common document for Dallas fashion photographers, as it states that the model or subject agrees to be photographed and published. If you're using a famous building as the background, you'll also need permission from the architect.

Must-Have Equipment for Fashion Photography

Delivering great results is part of building a reputation as a Dallas fashion photographer, which also involves using the right tools. These are among the most vital pieces of equipment for fashion photography:

Model wearing an enlarged flower headdress

One great camera body, like the Nikon Z 7 II or Nikon D850
At least 1 prime lens, usually the 105mm lens and preferably a 50mm lens as well
External flash
Tripod
Batteries and XQD cards
Reflector
Backdrop stand and paper
Laptop or computer
Editing software and presets
External hard drive

As a beginner, you can start by renting equipment to figure out what you like to work with. Eventually, you can invest in more gear as your business grows.

Tips on Attracting Fashion Photography Clients in Dallas

While Dallas is a creative mecca for artists, this also means you have a lot of competition. These are the ways you can secure a steady stream of fashion photography clients who can pay profitable prices and value your artistic style.

Connect with designers: There are many fashion designers in Dallas, and they would need pictures for their catalogs and marketing. Pitch in your ideas or send your portfolio if you see that they're looking for a photographer.
Work with models: Be the go-to photographer for models and shoot their comp card, which shows 1-4 great headshots. Their modeling agencies will see your work. In effect, the model may either refer you, or the modeling agency will contact you directly.
Offer video services: About 86% of businesses are video-centric in their marketing. If possible, include a bit of video of products in motion.
Stay updated: Fashion is a fast-paced industry with continuous change. However, you'll also need to be aware of the local trends in Texas. Read local fashion magazines to see what's currently trending and find inspiration for your shoots.

Conclusion

While it can be overwhelming at first, knowing the process and where to start should help kickstart your career. With these tips, inspiration, and ideas, you can start to make your way into the fashion photography industry in Dallas.

A Getting Started Guide for Dallas Fashion Photographers