I probably don’t have to tell you that being a paparazzi photographer is not a desirable position. The worst aspect of the job is having to be constantly on the lookout for celebrities, especially when you are relatively new to the field. Then there’s the whole issue of privacy, which is at its very least, complicated and often times, blatantly ignored. But just because you might be better suited for a desk job doesn’t mean that your dream of being a famous photographer isn’t still real. If you want to experience the life of a celebrity photographer, you need to know roughly how to go about it. The best way to do that is by observing the processes and routines of a top New York City studio. There’s a certain way they operate, and a specific order in which things happen during a photo shoot, so that you can replicate the experience yourself, in accordance with what you see.
Get The Assignment
The first and perhaps most important thing you need to do is get the assignment. Now, this might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised by how many celebrities come into the office with no idea of what they’re supposed to be shooting or why they’re even there. For starters, you’ll need to find out what the story is behind the pictures you’ve been asked to shoot. Is there some kind of themed story that the magazine is trying to tell? Is there some specific pose, angle, or lighting that they want you to implement? With the information gathering stage complete, you’re ready to move on to the next stage.
Choose The Right Outfit
One of the first things you’ll want to do is decide what kind of outfit you’re going to wear for the shoot. Now, this is quite possibly the most important decision you’ll make, as the way your clothes look on the set will have a significant impact on the overall feel and tone of your photos. Since you’re portraying a celebrity, you’ll want to choose something that accentuates their features and compliments their figure. Think about what Kelly Clarkson said about Kim Kardashian’s fashion choices: “She should have told the truth and said she dressed like that to attract men.”
When it comes to fashion, men and women often have different perceptions. Women have the tendency to be much more critical of what a man is wearing, while he might not even think about what a woman is wearing. This is why you might struggle with finding the perfect outfit for a photo shoot; you’re looking for what feels right, rather than what looks right. If you’re not used to asking men to choose their outfits for you, it can be tricky, but once you do, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it earlier. This is also why it’s important that you choose a stylist who is familiar with working with male clients; it can be tricky to choose clothing that compliments their figure, but that also compliments your own. Plus, if you do happen to fall into a trap of comparing your own behind-the-scenes photos to what you see in magazines, you’ll discover that you don’t look anywhere near as good as the celebrities you’re trying to emulate. Believe it or not, there are some stylists who exclusively work with celebrities, and they can help you choose the best looks for your photo shoot. They will know exactly what items will accentuate your subject’s features and how to pick the right fit for you.
Collect The Hair And Makeup Artists
As with any other part of the job, you’ll want to make sure that you have your hair and makeup done by professionals. This way, you can rest assured that your photos will look flawless, and that any awkward movements or facial expressions you might make will be eliminated, or at least, heavily reduced. If you don’t have access to an experienced stylist or makeup artist, then you should consider renting them for the day. This way, you can have peace of mind that your photos will turn out well, and you can focus on enjoying your time as a celebrity photographer.
One important thing to keep in mind is that, since you’re a woman and the subject of the piece is a woman, you’ll probably want to choose clothes that compliment your skin tone and features. This doesn’t mean that you have to choose a white outfit, as that will make you look like a ghost, but it does mean that choosing a bright red dress will not look as good as it could. Your goal is to look like a woman who belongs there, and this means choosing an outfit that flatters you.
Now that you have the basics out of the way, it’s time to move on to the fun part. You’re going to get to play with some of the most recognizable faces in the world, so make sure that you have your camera ready to shoot at all times. Remember: your subjects will be walking around with nothing but a tiny patch on their left shoulder, so make sure that you’re standing next to a decent-sized patch of dirt, or at least, a wall.
Lighting Is Everything
One of the most important things to consider when getting your photos taken is the lighting. There are literally thousands of different ways that you can photograph a celebrity, depending on what you’re trying to achieve. For instance, if you want to show off their beautiful figure, then light them from the front, with a soft background lighting. Or, if you want to show off their dramatic side, then put them in a more dramatic light with a brighter background. Keep in mind: whatever you do, you’ll never be able to show their true colors, or how they truly feel, since you weren’t there to witness it firsthand. This is why it’s important to seek out a qualified and experienced photographer, who will be able to show you the right way to light your subject, so that they look as good as possible, in the end. Lighting is everything, and without it, your photos will look flat, dull, and perhaps even a little bit sinister. If you want to do justice to your subjects, then make sure that you choose the right lighting for the job.
Nowadays, the luxury brands are starting to realize the importance of behind-the-scenes activities, and they’re starting to offer unique experiences to their clients. Sometimes, these are experiences that they would never think to offer, while other times, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that they couldn’t turn down. If this sounds like something that would interest you, then take a look at some of the cool things that you could do as a luxury brand photographer.