Hunting Shot – Fashion Photographers
When on a photo shoot most photographers are only focused on the models and what is ahead of their camera. But I take out time to look around at other photographers, as it makes me happy. The sight of all those cameras lined up, and excited fashion photographers with focused faces, determined to get the best shot. However, recently I saw something that bothered me a bit. There were a number of new photographers who were jumping from here and there, I didn’t understand it at first, but soon realized that they were hunting shot.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term “hunting shot” it means to look for the perfect shot, frantically going around hoping they somehow get a good shot. They don’t only disturb the professional photographers, the generally disrupt the entire mood. As it’s one thing when someone is hopping up and down in front of your camera for their own shot, but it’s entirely different when someone keeps disrupting the shot you are trying to take.
[pullquote] If you want to make it in the industry, really make it, not have some good months or years, you need to invest in it. [/pullquote]
The things with hunting shot kind fashion photographers is that they lack confidence and experience. A good fashion photographer should be able to stand his ground, and make it work. There is no reason to test 20 angles, you should know which one will work for the kind of shot you are taking. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying I do not get down on different angles, all I am saying is that I resist the temptation when around other photographers who will get disturbed with such actions, especially when it’s unnecessary and everyone is shooting from the same spot.
The problem is, there is so much demand for fashion photography, that people are entering the area. These are just people who own expensive cameras who have no real training. There is nothing wrong with being a professional fashion photographer, but simply owning a camera and taking photos of models does not make you a fashion photographer. It takes time, skills, education, and so much more.
Which is why I would like to humbly request such people to invest in a course, before they go about disrupting the livelihood of other professional photographers. Because, as they are hunting shot, they do not realize how they are disturbing others.
If you want to make it in the industry, really make it, not have some good months or years, you need to invest in it. Take out time to learn about the industry, not just photography itself. This will allow you to learn what it’s all about, and how you can achieve your dreams of becoming one of the top professional fashion photographers. I knew it, because I have been where you were as a beginner, but I tried to learn from others mistakes, and that is what every professional fashion photographer should do, regardless of their level.
