Behind the Lens: The Making of a High-Fashion Photoshoot in NYC
High-fashion photography is more than just capturing a moment; it’s about creating an entire world within a single frame. As a fashion photographer working in NYC, I’ve developed a process that blends creativity, collaboration, and meticulous planning to bring my vision to life. Here’s an inside look at what goes into the making of one of my high-fashion photoshoots.
Pre-Production: The Key to Success
Pre-production is where the magic begins. Once the model and date are finalized, my team and I dive into planning. We discuss the styling, hair, and makeup for each look. I also visit the location ahead of time to familiarize myself with the space and plan logistics.
One tip I’ve learned from experience: always consider practical details like restrooms and refreshments. While food and water depend on the budget, access to a restroom is non-negotiable.
Crafting the Vision
Every shoot begins with an idea sometimes sparked by other artists, sometimes inspired by the city itself. I aim to shoot what makes me happy while ensuring that my work attracts the clients I want to collaborate with. After all, the ultimate goal is to create meaningful work that aligns with my style and earns recognition.
Once I have a concept in mind, I turn to Pinterest for additional inspiration. I collect pins that align with my vision and compile them into a mood board. This serves as a visual guide for my team, ensuring everyone is aligned with the creative direction.
Here are some images which were my inspo from Tom Ford Campaign shoot!
Assembling the Dream Team
A successful fashion shoot is a team effort. My core team usually includes:
Stylist
Makeup Artist
Nail Artist
Hair Stylist
Photography Assistant
Once the mood board is shared, we start discussing potential models. I’ve recently worked extensively with Fenton Models but have collaborated with other agencies as well. For collaborative projects, we reach out to agencies, sharing our mood board and letting them know the shoot is for publication. The agency suggests models who fit the brief and are available for our selected date.
Here is how generally the agencies reply back with the options.
The Shoot Day
On the day of the shoot, my stylist arrives early so we can finalize the wardrobe and decide the shooting order based on makeup transitions. Once everything is in place, we begin the shoot—a process that typically lasts 3-4 hours for about four looks. The pace can vary depending on the complexity of the looks and any unforeseen challenges.
Shooting is my favorite part. It’s the moment when all the planning, creativity, and teamwork come together to create something extraordinary.
Post-Production Workflow
After the shoot, I can’t wait to see the results. I head to my office to transfer the files to my Lightroom catalog, selecting and giving them a quick color grade to visualize the final outcome.
Next, I send the unedited DNG files to my retoucher, who works their magic to refine the images. Once I receive the retouched files, I apply my final color grading, creating the polished look that aligns with my signature style. The final images are then shared with my team and submitted to the editor for publication.
Here are some final images from our last shoot in respect to the inspo above
