It has been awhile since I've posted a golden nugget, and this one is an IMPORTANT one for aspiring fashion stylists and industry partners.
Before I even attempted my first styled shoot, I had the good fortune of connecting with an industry expert and she told me the biggest mistake young stylists make is buying and returning clothing for photo shoots. HOWEVER - this happens ALL of the time, and the truth is that MOST stylists buy and return clothing from stores without asking because they want to make sure they completely NAIL the look they have envisioned in their head. So, what's a stylist to do?...
Follow the norm?...Heck no!
I'm not going to compromise my integrity and do something wrong for the sake of creating a cool photo. There has to be another way.
Problem solve! Think outside of the box! Get creative! Heck, this is art!
1. Try and use clothing and accessories from your own closet. Start building your wardrobe with pieces that would be great for photo shoots. Now, I'm not a size 0, 2 or 4, and most models are, so that does leave me in another pickle sometimes. So...
2. Use clothing and accessories from the client or model's closet. Most people have a diverse enough wardrobe that you can create fashionable looks from what they have. There are times when a client or model as ZERO style to work with. Then...you...
3. Borrow pieces from your fashionable friends that are the same size as the models. You are bound to have some friends that are fashionable and vary in sizes. On the off chance you can't find ANYONE that has what you're looking for, you can do two things...
4. Quickly make more friends...OR go to thrift stores and GOODWILL. Those are excellent places to find FULL outfits for under $10.
If you think this is impossible, you're wrong. ALL of my shoots have been styled with clothing that I've owned, the client has owned or a spent under $10 at a thrift store.
Of course, the BEST case scenario is having a store lend you clothing with their APPROVAL, and returning the clothing after you've finished. This is the goal you should work toward and that I'm working toward. This takes time and a lot of networking, but you'll be happier doing it the right way than the wrong way.
Don't compromise your integrity for style. Chances are you can create the style anyway without spending a dime. You just have to think outside of the box!
