Becoming a photographer(in fashion)

I am 22 years and live in Chicago. I work as an algo trader, and have no background in photography, but I want to get involved with it, particularly in the fashion industry. This could possibly become a side job of mine. How can I do this? Is there a school or educational program in Chicago that I can do which will help me with this dream?

12 Comments
 

My buddy did it before going into PWM. He still does the fashion weeks in europe a few weeks a yr, with the potential to meet clients. He tried to pitch Kanye West actually, but when he got back to his office in NYC he found out Kanye was already a client of his FA's... ironic. My friend (apparently) was making 60k a yr doing it full time between shooting and adjusting prints on a computer Mon-Fri going into work at 11am.

 
Best Response

Don't expect it to become a side job, as in you actually making any money, but you may get to hang out with models. Before you are able to approach any agency or clients, you'll need a decent portfolio. Quickest way to build a good portfolio and contacts is to assist one of the top photographers (which are generally not in Chicago, as Chicago is a secondary market and mainly commercial, not fashion). As far as where u can learn photography - pretty much unless you are already at the point where you have a vision and a good eye for color and composition, and girls just LOVE the pics of them you take, I would say you have no chance. While Chicago agencies don't book a lot of fashion work in Chicago per se, they are a big feeder for NYC/Paris, so they use testing photogs that can shoot NYC/Paris look and deliver a rather high quality product. It would take you years to be able to compete with that.

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This is very accurate. Very late to this party but for anyone curious- he's got it down.

My fiancee works in fashion.

“The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.” - Nassim Taleb
 

It might be easier for you to get "access" through a designer route. As long as you have the money to pour into that hobby, you can always put on a fashion show, pay the girls their day rate to walk, and throw a nice afterparty to hang out with them later.

More is good, all is better
 

Best thing is - your shit can be ugly as hell, there will still be stupid people buying it if you market properly

More is good, all is better
 

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