robertvoltaire.com » How to become a fashion photographer

Will Smith On Success (Video)

Robert Voltaire — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:53:25 +0000

Will Smith On Success

This isn’t exactly a fashion video but I firmly beleive that the key to your success lies here. Watch it.

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Fashion Blogger: Robert Voltaire Shoots At Los Angeles Fashion Week

Robert Voltaire — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:03:35 +0000

Fashion Blogger: Robert Voltaire Shoots At Boxeight During Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Photo by Fashion Blogger/Photographer Robert Voltaire

How To Make Money With Your Camera.

Robert Voltaire — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:53:58 +0000

How To Make Money With Your Camera.

With a little hard work and a creative eye, you can make money with your camera! Its time to get off your duff and get to work. Here are 5 tips for freelance photographers:

1. Get on the web. The world wide web and its many resources can provide a TON of exposure for photographers. There are dozens of photography blogs that give tips on how you can become a successful fashion photographer. This is just one such blog. You must also set up your own dot com on the web to maximize your exposure. Having your own website will help you to brand your identity. In this competitive market exposure is key to your success. The more people who are aware of your work, the more successful you become. Its that simple. So, if your not on the web stop procrastinating and get with the program. Use social networking sites like myspace, facebook and linkedin to further maximize your net prescence. Before you know it hundreds of people will instantly recognize your work and clients will enlist your services.

2. Stock Photography Agencies. There are many stock photo agencies that will represent your images. Your job is to figure out what they are looking for. This is a great venue to make some cash. Be unique and fresh in your approach. Some agencies include: Shutterstock, Istockphoto, Dreamstime and Fotolia. Google “stock photo agencies” and look under photographer submissions to find out how to turn a profit.

3. School Sporting Events. Parents love their children and parents love pictures of their children. Try your hand at photographing school sporting events. Upload the pictures online to a web gallery and then make your pitch. Be sure to take photographs of individual players and then group them together as a team. Many parents will buy from you. When you add up the numbers this will translate into several hundred dollars and is also a great way of getting your feet wet if you plan on pursuing sports photography. Make sure you frequent state and championship events. Also try:

a. Cheerleading squads
b. Homecoming events
c. Soccer, swimming, wrestling
d. Prom
e. Graduations
f. School plays, concerts, talent shows
g. Baseball, basketball and track meets

4. Photograph Local Events. There is plenty of activity going on at local events. Grab your camera and business cards and get out there and photograph them. Provide a web gallery and paypal link for your potential customers to make easy purchases. Some events include:

a. Art and craft shows
b. County fairs
c. Parades
d. Birthday parties
e. Concerts
f. Car shows
g. Plays and outdoor theater

Check your community calendar and weekly newspapers so you can plan ahead. Be sure to make plenty of business cards to hand to your new clients.

5. Take pictures of property. Real estate agents need quality pictures of properties in order to sell them successfully. Call them up and let them know your services are avail. Don’t forget to get in touch with builders, contractors and architects. Hone your skills and the money will flow in.

Those are just a few tips to help you on your way. For more info on how to make money with photography please read my blog:
How To Become A Successful Fashion Photographer
Photographers: How to land an agent
Fashion photography school: To go or no
My process of working with fashion models
Behind the scenes with Terry Richardson
The top 10 fashion poses of all time
Behind the scenes with Mario Testino
Get a modeling agent guerilla warfare style

Photography Internships – Los Angeles – Robert Voltaire Photography

Robert Voltaire — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:21:47 +0000

If you are interested in becoming a photography intern with Robert Voltaire please email a letter to: robert@robertvoltaire.com

Photographers: How to land an agent
Fashion photography school: To go or no
My process of working with fashion models
Behind the scenes with Terry Richardson
The top 10 fashion poses of all time
Behind the scenes with Mario Testino
Get a modeling agent guerilla warfare style

Photographers – A good reason to get models to lie down for you:

Robert Voltaire — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:33:34 +0000

Photographers – A good reason to get models to lie down for you:

Because it sells. It’s a no brainer. Of course if you are going to be savvy the picture has to be taken with flair, but in the upcoming advertising season there is a huge trend to pose models on their backs.

David Wolfe, creative director of the Donger Group, uses animal psychology to explain. “It’s obviously sexual. But the other thing I think of is animal psychology. Because I watch the Dog Whisperer. When dogs or cats lower themselves to make themselves seem submissive they are giving up their power and displaying a lack of aggression.”

Whatever the reason is the trend is a favorite among many top photographers and fashion designers. There’s Lara Stone shot by Steven Meisel for Louis Vitton, Georgia May Jagger for Versace by Mario Testino and Jac Jagaciak by David Sims for Calvin Klein.

So the next time your on set and out of ideas be calm and ask her to lie down for you. It may work wonders.

How to use your Nikon D90 to create beautiful fashion photographs.

Robert Voltaire — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:30:06 +0000

How to use your Nikon D90 to create beautiful photographs: It’s easy! Just point and shoot! The photographs below were taken in all natural light. With two I used a reflector for fill. I love my Nikon D90. It has gotten me out of a bind several times. When in doubt, D90. Let me explain:

I shoot a lot of fashion photographs for various assignments. Sometimes I travel internationally to places like: London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo or Sydney. I am tough on my photography equipment so I need reliable gear. When I travel I must have backup cameras with me. The D90 is my favorite by far.

Why? First, its price. The Nikon D90 is priced at a meager $900+ dollars U.S. I love the screen on the back of the D90. It is huge in comparison to most digital cameras. The D90 is a 12.3 megapixel camera and it has a high resolution 3 inch LCD display.

I love to shoot in the water. I love to shoot in tight spots. Perfect for the D90. This summer I was shooting in Athens, Rome, Milan, Santorini and London for various assignments. I was walking down a flight of stairs in Gaeta, Italy when I lost my grip on my Hasselblad. OOOpppsss! My bad. I looked to my backup cameras and immediately went for the D90. It’s just so easy to use! Here are a few pics I took that day with it.

Shot in Gaeta, Italy with a Nikon D90.

Shot in Gaeta, Italy with my Nikon D90.

Shot in Gaeta, Italy with a Nikon D90.

Model Anna Grigorenko.

For many more images shot on the Nikon D90 or to see these images larger please visit my site at:
Fashion Photography by Robert Voltaire

How I work with fashion models – Fashion photography tips.

Robert Voltaire — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:25:43 +0000

I often get asked the question what is your technique while working with models and where do you find them?

Models come from many different sources. Sometimes I see a girl on the street (which is rare) and I may approach her. I am usually pretty disarming because I immediately let her know I am married and have a little boy (he is 5) and I think she has a great look and ask if I can take her pic. I carry cards with me so she can have a look at my work and I leave it at that. Keep it simple.

I use social networking sites. I used to find contacts in myspace quite a bit and now, stalkerbook. I mean facebook. Sorry. Because I show some of my work on these sites I have a lot of professionals approach me asking to shoot. I love that because the model has a sense of what I do and it’s a nice compliment when someone respects your work. Also it beats the heck out of pursing a girl that does not like it. I usually set up a meeting to make sure the she hasn’t changed too much since her pictures (code for gained way too much weight) and to learn about her and tell her about myself and how I work.

Models hire me. Have camera will travel.

Modeling agencies send girls to me. I explore the world and work with modeling agencies all over. In Los Angeles I like to work with Elite (Jackie), Next and at LA models (Philippe) mostly, but there are some really cool bookers at other agencies that I have established a relationship with and who respect my work and trust my vision.

Tips:

1. Find a location and travel together if possible. I like to shoot in remote, quiet locations like the beaches and deserts around LA and sometimes in studio. I usually carpool with the model and makeup artist. This gives us a chance to talk and further get to know each other. It also really sucks if a model gets lost and you have to tell her your about 4 kilometers west of the tumbleweed near the dry river. Stay together! As a photographer it is my job to put a girl at ease. While working I have one agenda: make the model look amazing. A couple weeks after the shoot my images are often on their composite and in their book. It is important to me that the model is relaxed and looks unforgettable. Its our work and we want the best for each other!

2. Keep it simple. Sometimes the fashion models I shoot have very little on. People ask why? Modeling agencies aren’t selling fashion. They are selling the girl. They know what I shoot. As long as it is tasteful and beautiful the agents are happy. Sometimes I do work with amazing designers and clients who provide beautiful styling. The important thing is keeping them in a safe working environment which means a place where they feel comfortable to play and express themselves.

3. Give direction. On set I give direction to models. I like to give her a role to play. “The girlfriend” role is generally something that a woman can easily connect with. I will then set up the circumstances and shoot. She plays. If a model moves too quickly I may slow her down so I can capture that decisive moment. I can be particular with the direction, especially if the model is new, as I like my images to have nice lines and shape to them. I have been guilty of overshooting a particular image or look, so it is best to keep things flowing. I am usually a pretty fast shooter and models are surprised when I say “Ok, wer’e done. I got it.”

4. Be nice. I am very easy to work with. I never understood photographers yelling at models and making them feel insecure. That’s not my approach to getting good results.

5. Don’t act creepy. C’mon photographers! Models are real people. I hear so many horror stories of photographers following models into bathrooms, grabbing them, calling them in the middle of the night, etc. You’ve only known the girl for a few hours. You can’t be obsessed already! If you have never had a girlfriend or have never been in the prescence of a woman at least pretend like you have. Leave them alone when they are changing outfits. Go far away. Scout around. Check your gear. Be modest. This is a professional endeavour and not a place for you to practice your pick-up-lines. I find the less you put out a sexual vibe and the more respect you give the girl the more respect you’ll receive. You get better pics that way no matter what she is wearing.

6. Be real. Don’t make her promises you can’t keep. Do your best work. Have fun.

7. Brush your teeth.

8. For male models (whom I shoot) strike rule 5 altogether (it ain’t happenin’), change the “she’s” to “he’s” and the “girlfriend” rule does not apply. Please try not to touch me. Please. That really scares me.

Thea

Olga Syzmanska

Fashion Photographer Advice – How to get a photography Agent or Artist rep.

Robert Voltaire — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:10:22 +0000

Brace yourself. Your not going to like this. As a general rule a photographer’s agent or artist rep does not want you unless you have successfully ran a profitable business for at least three years on your own. Even then, there is still a huge chance they might not like your style. Of course there are exceptions to the rule if you just happen to be megatalented. The truth is an artist rep does not want to dig you out of a hole and put your hum drum present status and put you to work. They are looking for photographers who are successful businessmen.

Once you are ready, here are a few resources to try.

1. Professional Association of Agents and Artists Reps. (NYC)
2. Peruse sourcebooks. There’s: Workbook, Creative Blackbook, and Select. Photographers advertise there and list their agents. In some agents advertise and list their photographers.
3. Reps take out ads in Photo District News, Adweek and Communication Arts.

I know it sounds difficult but keep your focus. The time passes regardless. Do the work and you will be there.

Top 10 sexiest Victoria’s Secret models.
Fashion photography school: To go or no.
My process of working with fashion models.
Behind the scenes with Terry Richardson.
The top 10 fashion poses of all time.
Behind the scenes with Mario Testino.
Getting an agent guerilla warfare style.

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Fashion Photographer Mario Testino – 3 – Behind the Scenes.

Robert Voltaire — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:23:40 +0000

Part 3 of 3. Behind the scenes with Mario Testino.

Fashion Photographer Mario Testino – 02 – Behind the scenes.

Robert Voltaire — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:21:24 +0000

Video 2 with Mario Testino.

Behind the scenes with Mario Testino 03

robertvoltaire.com » How to become a fashion photographer

Will Smith On Success (Video)

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Fashion Blogger: Robert Voltaire Shoots At Los Angeles Fashion Week

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How To Make Money With Your Camera.

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Photography Internships – Los Angeles – Robert Voltaire Photography

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Photographers – A good reason to get models to lie down for you:

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How to use your Nikon D90 to create beautiful fashion photographs.

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How I work with fashion models – Fashion photography tips.

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Fashion Photographer Advice – How to get a photography Agent or Artist rep.

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Fashion Photographer Mario Testino – 3 – Behind the Scenes.

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Fashion Photographer Mario Testino – 02 – Behind the scenes.

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