ADVICE #002
Delve into the world of fashion through candid conversations with seasoned professionals. In these short written interviews, we explore the wisdom garnered from their journeys, focusing on the advice they offer to aspiring students. Gain firsthand knowledge, tips, and guidance from those who have navigated the complexities of the fashion industry.
FREELANCE FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
Berta Gonzalez is a freelance fashion photographer whose passion for capturing beauty and style drives her career. With a background in graphic design, Berta's journey into fashion photography began with a dedicated project focused on creating a fashion campaign. This experience ignited her interest in the field, leading her to delve deeper into the world of fashion photography. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings and the aesthetics of fashion, Berta found her niche in portraying the beauty and composition of clothing and design through her lens.
“Being a photographer is a journey of self-discovery. Always follow your intuition, being an artist takes time, you need to go through a lot of stages to arrive where you are. Have patience and trust in yourself.”
In her day-to-day work, Berta orchestrates every aspect of photoshoots, from contacting models and makeup artists to collaborating with stylists. As she navigates the early stages of her career, Berta is focused on building her portfolio through collaborations and networking within the industry. Her journey into fashion photography has been a journey of self-discovery, allowing her to combine her artistic talents with her love for aesthetics and design.
What advice would you give to students aspiring to pursue a career in the fashion industry?
In your opinion, what are some common misconceptions young professionals may have about working in PR?
How important are your studies to work in the fashion industry?
I would recommend always investing in your passion. There is nothing better than studying something you like. Only a few photographers are born with a gift. They have a different sensibility; they are autodidacts. However, for the rest of us, we need to work, practice, and always keep learning. I believe that the key factor in success is always doing something. Even if you are not getting paid or don’t have any projects, go out on your own, take pictures, always look for inspiration, and things to learn and practice. Speak with people who have previous experience. A lot of the fashion industry works via networking. I’m not a huge fan of this since I consider myself very introverted, who hates to meet someone just for the purpose of getting something out of them. So, my advice is never to always get to know the person, not the professional. No one will come to get you; you are the one who needs to promote yourself and look for opportunities.
People believe that being a photographer consists of just taking a few pictures and selling them. The reality is much broader. Being a photographer is not a full time, but a 12 hour per day job. Behind a photoshoot are thousands of hours that go into planning, scheduling, organizing, and testing. And after the photoshoot, you have thousands more hours consisting of editing, selecting, and delivering to your client. There are a lot of aspects of fashion photography, and they all differ from runway, editorial, freelance; however, it's very time-consuming, and many people don’t consider that. People might not take your job seriously and believe that it’s a job for someone who did not succeed in other subjects; however, the reality is that I could have studied law if I had wanted, but my aspiration wasn’t on that.
I believe that having a foundation in what you are doing is crucial. In my case, doing this short course in fashion photography was essential. It gave me the tools and insights necessary to succeed in this profession. I believe that without this foundation, you can get there, but maybe it will take more time. In photography, it's very technical, and having the insight and feedback from someone who has already been in the industry is very helpful. Being in the fashion photography industry is very different from photography in general. You cannot forget that at the end of the day, your job is to sell clothes through your pictures. Therefore, you need to have basic knowledge of how to achieve that without losing your creative style.
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