5 Tips for Creating Compelling Editorial Fashion Photography

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 20 June 2023 7 min read

Creating exceptional editorial fashion photography involves a blend of creativity, storytelling, and technical expertise. In this blog, we'll explore five tips to help you elevate your work and produce stunning, compelling images that truly stand out in the competitive world of fashion photography.

1. Collaborate with a Stylist

Working with a skilled stylist is crucial for achieving a cohesive, stylish look for your editorial fashion shoot. A stylist can help you select the right wardrobe, accessories, and overall aesthetic that will bring your vision to life.

Selecting the Right Stylist

When looking for a stylist to collaborate with, consider the following:

Experience: Look for a stylist with a proven track record in editorial fashion and a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to create visually striking looks.
Style compatibility: Ensure the stylist's personal style aligns with your vision for the shoot. This will make the collaboration process smoother and more enjoyable.
Communication skills: A successful collaboration requires clear communication, so choose a stylist who is easy to talk to and is receptive to your ideas and feedback.

Tips for a Successful Collaboration

Once you've found the perfect stylist, follow these recommendations to create a strong working relationship:

Develop a shared vision: Discuss your concept and goals for the shoot and ensure both you and the stylist are on the same page.
Plan together: Involve the stylist in the planning process, including location scouting, model selection, and mood board creation. This will help create a unified vision for your editorial fashion photography.
Trust their expertise: Give the stylist the freedom to make creative choices and trust their expertise in fashion and styling. This will result in a more polished and cohesive final product.

2. Choose the Perfect Location

The right location can make or break an editorial fashion shoot. A well-chosen location will enhance the story you're trying to tell, showcase the clothing, and create a visually captivating backdrop for your images.

Outdoor Locations

Outdoor locations can provide a stunning, natural backdrop for your editorial fashion photography. Consider these options:

Urban landscapes: City streets, architectural landmarks, and industrial areas can create a striking contrast with the fashion pieces you're shooting.
Natural settings: Beaches, forests, and fields can evoke a sense of serenity and add a beautiful, organic element to your images.
Unusual locations: Think outside the box and choose unique settings like abandoned buildings, amusement parks, or even rooftops to create a memorable visual experience.

Indoor Locations

Indoor locations offer more control over lighting and weather conditions, making them an excellent choice for editorial fashion photography. Some options to consider include:

Studios: A well-equipped studio gives you complete control over lighting and the ability to create a custom backdrop for your shoot.
Homes and interior spaces: Elegant homes, hotels, or interesting interior spaces can provide a sophisticated setting for your fashion story.
Unique venues: Museums, galleries, or historic buildings can add a touch of drama and grandeur to your images.

Location Scouting Tips

When scouting for the perfect location, keep these tips in mind:

Consider the story: Choose a location that complements the theme and concept of your editorial fashion story.
Take note of lighting conditions: Pay attention to the natural light and any available artificial lighting at a location, ensuring it suits the mood and look you're trying to create.
Check for permits and permissions: Some locations may require permits or permissions for photography, so make sure to do your research beforehand.

3. Capture the Story

Editorial fashion photography is all about telling a story through images. To create a compelling narrative, it's essential to consider the concept, poses, and emotions you want to convey in your photographs.

Concept and Theme

Before starting your shoot, establish a clear concept and theme that will guide your photography. This could be inspired by the fashion pieces themselves, a particular mood or atmosphere, or a narrative you'd like to explore. Keep these tips in mind:

Research: Look for inspiration in fashion magazines, movies, and art to help you develop a unique and engaging concept.
Create a mood board: Compile images, colors, and textures that represent your theme to help guide your team and keep everyone on the same page.
Stay true to the brand: Ensure your concept aligns with the fashion brand's message and target audience.

Posing and Expression

Posing and facial expressions play a crucial role in conveying the story of your editorial fashion shoot. Here are some tips for directing your models effectively:

Communicate your vision: Share your concept, mood board, and any specific poses or expressions you have in mind with your models before the shoot.
Give clear directions: Use simple, concise language to guide your models through poses and expressions, and demonstrate the poses yourself if necessary.
Keep it natural: Encourage your models to relax and be themselves, allowing their unique personalities to shine through in the images.

Capturing Emotion

Emotion is a powerful element in editorial fashion photography, helping to create a connection between the viewer and the images. To capture emotions effectively, consider the following:

Set the mood: Use music, props, and lighting to create the atmosphere you want to evoke in your images.
Encourage your models: Give your models positive feedback and encouragement, helping them feel confident and comfortable in front of the camera.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to try different angles, poses, and expressions to find the perfect shot that captures the emotion you're aiming for.

4. Use Quality Equipment

Using top-notch equipment is essential for capturing high-quality editorial fashion images. From cameras and lenses to lighting equipment, investing in the right gear can make all the difference in your final results.

Camera and Lenses

Choosing the right camera and lenses is crucial for capturing sharp, detailed images. Here are some tips for selecting the best gear for your editorial fashion shoot:

Go for a full-frame camera: Full-frame cameras typically offer better image quality, low-light performance, and a wider dynamic range than crop-sensor cameras.
Choose versatile lenses: Opt for lenses with a range of focal lengths, such as a 24-70mm or 70-200mm zoom lens, to capture different perspectives and compositions.
Consider prime lenses: Fast prime lenses, like a 50mm or 85mm, can provide beautiful bokeh and sharpness, enhancing the overall look of your images.

Lighting Equipment

Good lighting is essential for creating depth and dimension in your editorial fashion images. Keep these tips in mind when selecting and using lighting equipment:

Use natural light: When shooting outdoors, take advantage of natural light for a soft, flattering look. Be mindful of the time of day to get the best results—golden hour is ideal for warm, glowing light.
Invest in quality studio lighting: For indoor shoots, consider using strobes or continuous lighting to create a professional, polished look.
Experiment with modifiers: Softboxes, umbrellas, and reflectors can help you shape and control the light, allowing you to achieve your desired mood and style.

Recommended Brands

When it comes to photography equipment, some brands stand out as industry favorites. Here are a few recommendations for high-quality gear:

Cameras: Canon, Nikon, and Sony are popular choices for professional photographers due to their reliable performance and extensive lens selections.
Lenses: In addition to the camera manufacturers' own lenses, consider options from third-party brands like Sigma, Tamron, and Zeiss for high-quality alternatives.
Lighting: Profoto, Elinchrom, and Broncolor are well-regarded brands for studio lighting equipment, offering a range of products to suit various budgets and needs.

5. Edit and Retouch

The final step in creating compelling editorial fashion images is the editing and retouching process. This is where you can fine-tune your images, enhance colors and textures, and bring your creative vision to life.

Editing Software

Choosing the right editing software is essential for achieving professional results. Here are a few popular options to consider:

Adobe Photoshop: A powerful and versatile tool widely used by professionals for retouching, compositing, and color grading images. Photoshop offers a vast array of features, making it suitable for advanced editing tasks.
Adobe Lightroom: A user-friendly option for organizing, editing, and exporting your images. Lightroom is ideal for making global adjustments, like exposure, contrast, and color balance, and offers a more streamlined workflow than Photoshop.
Capture One: Another professional-grade editing software, Capture One is known for its exceptional color management and tethered shooting capabilities, making it a popular choice among editorial fashion photographers.

Retouching Tips

Retouching is an essential part of creating polished, professional editorial fashion images. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:

Be subtle: Aim for a natural-looking result by making small, incremental adjustments. Over-editing can make your images appear artificial and detract from their overall impact.
Focus on skin: Even out skin tones and remove any blemishes or imperfections, while maintaining skin texture for a realistic appearance.
Enhance details: Accentuate the features that make your images unique, such as the texture of fabrics, the shine of jewelry, or the shape of accessories.

Final Touches

Once you've completed the retouching process, it's time to add some final touches to your editorial fashion images. This may include:

Cropping and straightening: Ensure your images have a clean, balanced composition by cropping out any distracting elements and straightening any crooked lines.
Color grading: Apply color adjustments to create a cohesive look and feel across your images, reflecting the mood and style of your editorial fashion story.
Sharpening: Apply a subtle sharpening effect to enhance the overall clarity and detail of your images without introducing unwanted artifacts.

By following these tips and using quality equipment, you can create captivating editorial fashion images that truly stand out. Remember that practice and experimentation are key to refining your skills and developing your unique photographic style.

If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of fashion editorials, don't miss the workshop 'Introduction To Fashion Editorials: How To Get Started' by Marion Gabrielle. This workshop will guide you through the process of creating stunning editorials and provide valuable insights on how to break into the industry.