An Introduction to Fashion Photography

By Tara Giancaspro
I have experience with just about every type of photography you can think of. I have snapped concerts, sporting events, portraits, plays and musicals, still-lifes, speeches and presentations. I have photographed the President. I have photographed the Vice President. I've photographed Bill Cosby, twice. But I had never before photographed a fashion spread, and to my own surprise I found the experience, at first, a bit daunting. The fashion industry and its players are strong-willed people with forceful and creative ideas. I saw these same traits when I worked with my classmates on my first shoot, an Old Hollywood "behind the scenes" display. My classmates had clear ideas and a clear vision. When I am hired or asked to photograph, I am often given little or no direction. And while that freedom is appreciated, it also leaves me at risk to wind up with photographs that those involved do not love. With the direction of my classmates, I was able to secure that their vision and their goals would be represented, and hopefully enriched by my own stylistic touches and shooting style. I feel that this shoot was educational. I taught myself how to focus on the clothing and accessories, and how to frame, light, and position a model to best accentuate their features and the outfits they wear. With the retro styles we featured, it was important to find the best way to capture the flow and sweep of the beautiful dresses we worked with, to give the pictures lively movement. This photoshoot was supposed to convey a sense of the accidental. Sophie, pictured above, accidentally broke her strand of pearls, creating a funny moment for us to capture, resulting in photos that I believe will be featured in the final layout for the magazine. The shot above was also an accident of sorts - the models were simply waiting around for direction, and I liked what I saw. I did not think that so many ideas would come to us on the fly, but they did, and I am grateful for that. I think that this shoot was one of my favorites that I have ever done.

Home away from Home

The other day I received this picture in an email from my little sister. It is the view at sunset off the deck at my parent's house in New Jersey. I find myself homesick for the first time in a while. It's the little things like this picture that make home feel so close yet so far away. Isn't it strange how the idea of home changes so much once you go off to college? I've moved a record 5 times since I came to Drexel 3 years ago. (Twice my freshman year due to the fact that my dorm was being renovated and twice this year but once it was only a move down the hall.) There are always a few stray boxes that remain unpacked, and I feel like I can never be completely settled because I know the impending doom of another move can't be far away. I try and combat these feelings by decorating and redecorating and filling the place I live with décor I love.

So, here are some tips to make your apartment or dorm room feel more "homey" even if it is only temporary.

1. Lighting and mirrors are key to making any small room seem larger. Free standing lamps provide lighting that is less harsh than florescent, and is also better for reading. Mirrors add depth to a room but be sure to hang them opposite a nice view, otherwise you'll be staring at that crack in the wall two times over. Try three floor-length ones hung side by side.

2. Paint will instantly warm up a room. Most apartments rented to college students come with white walls. Why not chose a color for your walls to liven up the space? Check with landlords before breaking out the rollers.

3. Picture frames with photos of friends and family will remind you of home. Try an arrangement of frame decals that stick to your wall for a fun look.

4. "Throw items" Throw pillow. Throw blanket. Throw rug. All of these items add a personal touch. If your floors are tiled or old, ugly carpeting a throw rug can cover that up. Try making your own from recycled plastic bags. If your couch is from your parents' basement and looking a little shabby, a quilt tucked over the edge will add a punch of color. If your bed is lacking in comfort, toss a few throw pillows with cool graphics on there to add comfort and style at the same time.

5. Shop thrift and second-hand stores as well as flea markets for unique home goods. I've found some of my favorite pieces of art as well as cheap kitchenware at thrift stores. They are a great place to find one-of-a-kind items.

My living room. (circa apartment #4)

I hope these tips help you feel more settled in your space, or at least liven up your walls. Happy (Re)decorating!

Philly Fashion

Philadelphia, though it possesses its own unique charm, does not currently have a reputation as a fashion mecca in its own right. Within the United States, that honor has been given to a few cities, but Philly’s fashion scene has always fallen short of recognition. But this Fall, all of that stands to change, as Philadelphia stages a daring attempt to ascend to the status of an east coast center of fashion.

Philadelphia Fashion Week, a movement that has long been attempted and not yet seen success, delivered on its promise something more this year. Under the guidance of successful buyer and manager Michael Anderer of Matthew Izzo fame, the three day event consisted of shows, parties, and concerts designed to show off Philadelphia’s local talent and entice the locals to show some brotherly love to their “phashionable” fellow citizens. While in years past many individuals and organizations have held similar events, Anderer and his team added a new level of style and prestige to the event, two very necessary ingredients when hosting a fashion event of any scale.

In addition to the local fashion renaissance, Philadelphia will also host an international fashion event later this October. The Arts of Fashion, an international organization born in France and dedicated to promoting the advancement of fashion innovation and education, will be hosting its annual symposium at Drexel University with the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. The five-day event consists of master classes, lectures, film screenings, and it culminates in a fashion show displaying the talents of the best fashion students from around the world, as well as former students and emerging designers. The Philadelphia Museum of Art will host the finale show for the symposium, further tying in Philadelphia’s own artistic treasures with their emerging interest in fashion. (Visit arts-of-fashion.org for full details.)

With these two events under its belt, and an abundance of local talent ready for the spotlight, things are looking up for the fashionable people of Philadelphia. If the buzz about the fashion scene is any indication, the city is well on its way to establishing its own reputation as a city of style.