Have you heard of Gareth Pugh, Manish Arora, Jantaminiau, Haider Ackermann, Alexander Wang, Iris van Herpen, Pedro Lourenço, Maxime Simoens… ?
If you don’t know these designers and are intent on being or calling yourself a Fashion Photographer, I suggest you start doing your homework. A Fashion Photographer should at least be aware of the designers producing the clothing that you will inevitably shoot for your next editorial spread.
It is important to know what the designers are designing, their mood boards or trend reports and look books, as it will have an effect on the themes of the shoots you will produce. Not only that, but seeing the collections via Style.com or other sources, may give you inspiration and idea’s for what you might want to shoot. Many of the make-up and hair trends are expressed through those collections.
By knowing which designer is doing what, will also give you exposure to the most current Models on the scene and their agencies. Those two very important bits of information are essential if you wish to discuss this métier with some semblance of credibility.
So, the next time you are about to embark on a photo shoot with your stylist, I suggest you look at all of the major collections from Milan, Paris, New York, London, Sao Paulo, Berlin etc… To aid in giving you a sense of where Fashion is going in the near future. If you don’t know what is happening, you won’t be!