Fashion photography and why i’m pursuing it…
What am I doing?!
Let’s go back in time a bit. As a child, I was obsessed with choosing my outfits and getting dressed. Ask my mother, I would layout my outfits every single night - down to the bow that in my mind worked best with said outfit. I was 6. A few years later, my grandmothers would teach me how to sew or more appropriately, help me design my Barbie’s clothes and then they would make them. My dad’s mom would make the dress chic and short, my mom’s mom would cut to let the hem out. They were very different women to say the least and it was awesome.
Moving on… I learned my love of fashion at a young age. I was particular about every look I wore to school dances and always had my eye on every fashion magazine. I had a subscription to quite a few growing up and they ended up all over my walls to my parents dismay. I was mood boarding before it was a process. Wish I had photos of my bright red walls in my bedroom at my mom’s house with fashion magazine clippings as well as clippings of boys i.e. JTT and Devon Sawa - if you know you know.
College Dayssss
When I went to college, I decided on fashion design. My love of clothes it made sense. My other obsession as a child was the ocean. Marine biology was out as I just did not have the brain capacity for that much science. I’m not stupid by any means but the idea of science was not appealing what so ever so my other obsession - fashion - prevailed.
Now, as I have said in my past love letters, I had a BLAST in college. I genuinely did not have a care in the world and my goal was to have fun and find a way to deal with real life later. I worked retail while in school so I had access to clothes at a discount - yes! When I realized after 4 years of college I needed to get my shit together, I decided to pursue a minor in business. There were. few requirement such as statistics and marco/micro economics which to this day still befuddles me. However I landed in a web design course as well as film photography course. Funny enough the film class had prereqs but it was a typo on the university level so I just didn’t say anything. I loved it. But I never pursued it beyond that. I still use my film camera (Nikon FM2) to this day and will continue to use it on this journey.
Years later (25ish?), I would revisit photography again. Rorie, my husband then boyfriend, bought us a DSLR for travel. He never touched it as he never got the chance to, I took that camera and used it to take photos of everything. More importantly to bring my ideas for Rorin to life. I would create these concepts in my head from mini campaign shoots to flat lays. My sister modeled for me for quite a few. I absolutely loved bringing these ideas to live.
September 2012 - me with my Nikon D3200 - that I still have today. I brought it everywhere.
2013ish - I had this vision in my head to capture the bag with the shoes sticking out of the clutch to show the dual compartments. Like she was leaving her one night stand and slipping on her flats in a men’s button down. My sister who modeled here was 18. My mother was not thrilled with me haha
I was a huge fan of the faceless modeling in 2013-14. It was all about the product for me so I hyper focused on this. Another image shot my me in NOLA in 2013.
MORE RECENTLY
As I moved into a different direction with Rorin, I started creating concepts and styling the shoots myself and working with photographers. IT was always the best place to be - on set. Creating magic and collaborating with other creatives. However I didn’t see it as that until my more recent years working with my friend Laura who is an incredible fashion photographer that inspires me daily. So I decided to work with a photographer mentor. Someone to guide me and teach me all the things like retouching, composition, etc. Also the business aspect and how to tie it into my existing work. Insert Samanta Katz. I have worked with her for the last 6 months and wow. I never thought I would be absolutely ENAMORED with fashion photography. I realized I never pursed photography as I mistook my creative drive of clothes with the need to design and make them - when really I am inspired by them and I want to create the scene and capture the campaign. Don’t worry - I love to make bags and still do. I have actually two on my table that will be available soon. And guess what - there will be an amazing photoshoot around them.
One of my first shoots with multiple players. Adrienne who modeled for me, Caroline on hmua, Mae was my stylist and Tate did the photography. It was one of my favorite days ever. All the clothes came from my friend Amanda.
My point is - I never thought I would absolutely love doing photography. It’s not just photography tho - it’s creating the concept, working with others to execute the vision, figuring out how to light the scene so it emulates the depth of what you see, it’s the post production excitement. It is a different feeling and the creative juices just flow.
I’ve shared this image before, but working with Laura really was amazing. She is such a collaborative photographer that really knows how to art direct.
I plan to do some branding shoots as well for some of my ETC clients. Something creative - not headshots. Want to fall from the sky with your paint brushes if you are an artist? or be surrounded by books if you are a writer? I want to do creative branding and think outside of the box. Do something fun. I will also never shoot events or weddings. I think that is another reason why. I never wanted to do weddings. Hell I didn’t even have a wedding. Just a party. Events too. Not my thing. I want to get creative. Execute an incredible vision with amazing creatives.
So long story short - Still making bags? - yes. Still designing websites? - yes (gotta make money somehow!) Adding fashion photography to the line up? YES. (Film photography too). Because why not.
Cheers, Erin.
