How I style photoshoots
Good styling is one of the most important elements in a good photo. When I work with brands, I get to sit back and focus on the elements of the photo that complement the styling, rather than the clothes themselves. However, when I’m planning a conceptual shoot, or something based around one specific accessory or trend, styling becomes a very large part of my work.
The first thing I do is look at themes. Is there a specific time period being represented in this concept? A specific genre or aesthetic? If so, I do some research on the history of this theme. For a 1980s themed collaboration I styled last summer, I researched the fashion inspirations that provoked different 80s trends, and learned about where the 80s fell on the trend-cycle. Through this research, I learned that 1980s glamour was inspired by the 1940s, and so I incorporated vintage 40s pieces into the final look.
Once I have a decent grasp of what influences and represents the iconography of the chosen theme, I make a mood board. I usually use pinterest, as it is easy to compile and share images quickly. Sometimes I will also make a physical mood board in my art journal by cutting images out of magazines and catalogues.
Once I have the mood board planned, I will sketch out some ideal styling options. These are usually extremely rough, as I am the only one who has to understand the ideas they convey. I will focus on things like textile, pattern, colour scheme, and silhouette. I usually sketch several options so that I am not 100% sold on any specific look, just in case I can’t find clothing that resembles the one thing I have in mind.
I take snapshots of these sketches on my phone, and reference them while I’m shopping for clothing. I find it easy to get distracted by other ideas while I’m browsing for styling, so I return to my reference images often to ensure I’m staying on track.
My photoshoots are exclusively styled with thrifted, consigned, and vintage clothing.
As a rule, I never buy new clothes for shoots unless it is absolutely unavoidable for something extremely specific. I reject the fast fashion industry, and even though it offers some alluring clothing options, I find plenty of timeless and unique pieces from second-hand sources. It is slightly more time consuming to thrift, but cheaper overall and much more rewarding.
I am lucky to live neat Main Street in Vancouver, which is a hub for vintage and consignment boutiques. My favourite places to visit are C’est La Vie Vintage, Iron Faeries, Front and Company, and Mintage on Broadway. If you are in town and looking for some excellent pieces, all of these places would be worth a visit.
The final aspect of styling a shoot is making sure that everyone involved is on the same page. I send the mood board to both the makeup artist and the model before I shop for pieces, and check in with the other creatives at every step of the way to make sure we are all excited about the concept. I find that shoots work out best when we all work collaboratively to make them happen, and often that requires revisions and redesigns based on the feedback of the other creatives involved in the process.