Fashion Shoot - What have I learned, how did I learn it?

I know it is hard to believe, but I got to the end of the assignment. I have a lot of people to thank for their help and patience. I have to say, I did enjoy the assignment and hope to be doing this in real life one day. Maybe then I will look back at the photos that I am so proud of now, and think, uhm, could have done better really. Anyway, for a first, they aren't too bad. Apparently. 

A few things I have learned... First, and most important thing, it is pointless to take images that will not fit the final frame. I took hundreds of photos, which I can use in a portfolio and as reference in future, but most of them could not be used for the purpose of this assignment. The image sizes set in the templates for the magazine were awkward and I had to scan through several images to make sure I can crop them to the right size. So learn from my mistake! Don't just go taking photos because they look pretty when you are doing commercial work. Save yourself time and effort by taking a few, but well thought out images. 

Other things revolve around lighting and set-up, make up and your models. Take time to set your set. If doing studio work, make sure that the lighting is right, your set is spotless. It is much harder to correct these things later on the computer. And quite frankly, I still believe this is a photography, not a photoshop course, so take a good photo!

As for make up and models... There is no such thing as too much make-up. Keep it light and fresh for natural shots and don't turn your models into drag queens (unless that's your theme), but emphasize everything, skin tone, eyes, cheekbones. I have never worked with professional models, but one thing's for sure, if a pose is too staged, it is very  rigid and obvious on the photo. It is difficult to get non-pro models to act naturally, so try to distract them. As soon as you make them unaware of the fact that they are being photographed, they will smile and act in the most natural way, which will show on your pictures. Remember, they cannot see themselves, so you have to guide them. Tell them a joke if you want them to smile or tell them they are fat if you want them to look angry on your shot.