Fashion photography and fashion journalism

Examining the importance of fashion photography and its presence in the field of fashion journalism is the topic that this article deals with. The topics we have discussed in this article; A definition of fashion journalism, the role of fashion photography in fashion journalism and the introduction of one of the famous photographers and fashion journalists. “Simbarashe Cha” Is. Join us to learn about the career of fashion journalism from the perspective of an expert.

What is fashion journalism?

Fashion journalism or fashion journalism is one of the components of fashion media focusing on news writing and photography. Fashion journalists write and critique fashion events and trends; They also develop and maintain relationships with trendsetters and designers.

Fashion journalism is the process of researching and reporting on fashion stories and news. As a fashion journalist you can write for a magazine, newspaper or blog. You can also provide and produce video content for TV segments, YouTube channels or audio content for podcasts.

The role of fashion photography in fashion journalism

Fashion photography that replaced fashion illustration in the 1900s; It is a form of photojournalism or news photography that is used in fashion journalism.

Fashion photography is a branch of fashion communication. Fashion photography forms the point of contact between brands and the audience, which plays an important role in global fashion culture and industry, and occupies a high share of public awareness of fashion. In fact, our mentality of fashion is formed not from fashion itself but through fashion photography and its publication.

Types of fashion photography include luxury goods photography, runway photography, editorial photography, lookbook photography, catalog photography, street fashion photography and many more.

Fashion photography and fashion photography styles

Simbarashe ChaStreet fashion photographer

Simbarashe is an international fashion photographer and fashion writer. He collaborates with publications such as New York Times and Vogue. His way of narrating and telling stories from fashion weeks, which is influenced by his experiences and culture, has made luxury brands use his art in their campaigns.

In this article, we will get to know his way of thinking and work.

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Storytelling in fashion photography

Storytelling in brand campaigns has become a trend for some time. Sometimes we are surprised to see the collection of images of a global brand, and sometimes it becomes incomprehensible to us.

What sets this trend apart? Are they all successful?

“I always try to tell a story; But I don’t know if I am successful or not. I think about it first, what has caught my attention? Can I find a way to make it look more attractive? And finally, I hope to be able to take a photo that will be attractive to the audience as well,” he continued.

“I was walking around New York all the time, mornings and nights, taking portraits of people. I think this was the best way to teach me. At the same time, I started writing a blog about how to take portraits. I think fashion people saw my portrait photos and sent me a request for collaboration.”

But the same methods do not always give the same answer. A story may work for one brand but may seem unfamiliar and dangerous to another. During the past twenty years, the way of publishing has changed a lot. In the past, before publishing a book, the literary editor would review the text many times; But now you can write and publish immediately and there is no quality control. We live in a time where everyone thinks they know how to publish a story, but how do you improve the quality of storytelling?

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“I think brands should invest more in the idea generation process; Give creative people enough resources to tell the kinds of stories they want to tell. In my opinion, they should let the creators tell the story; Because this is what is happening today. A brand can bring me into a project to film something and I have an idea for a story; But what we end up filming bears no resemblance to that idea. The story is this; Everyone wants to be safe and take less risk. “I think it’s mostly because there’s not enough quality control or resources.”

How do you turn your photos into a collection of stories?

“Even if I don’t have a camera; I always think and look at the world as if I have a camera. I always think about cinema. I always think about movies. When I go to fashion week; Even though I am taking pictures; But I still think about cinema.” He described his technique as follows:

“I see the world as very special. My photos are a snapshot of movement. When I make my Instagram story at the end of fashion week; I put all the photos together and make a story for them. I always try to have some kind of movement from one photo to another; Because I think this method is correct and of course it is much more difficult than taking a video. Because everything is moving in the video. People are moving. I find it very interesting to create a movement from one place to another or from one moment to another through a series of images. For me it works the same way as making a video, but with a different process. In fact, the ability to take a set of photos that may not be of the same person or even in the same situation.

Photographers are less interested in writing. They usually try to display their ideas and skills in the image; But Simbarache also has a hand in writing. He also usually writes a note for his collection of fashion week photos.

“I love to write. Since I started learning photography; I also started writing a blog. More than taking pictures; I was writing Because I was trying to explain how to learn photography. Writing is important to me. It gives me the chance to describe my work; While this is not possible for other photographers because they do not write about their work.

When you look at a photo as a work of art; As an artist, you want to know what your audience thinks about that work and what they are thinking.

But when you are a photographer, especially during fashion weeks, you are involved in photojournalism; Someone else writes about that photo. This did not feel good to me; Because the author or editor does not know the truth of the photo and does not know why this photo was taken.

I was given this chance to explain about my photo. What I saw this week; The things I liked and to explain why. This is a special place that I can be in and I’m glad to have this chance.”

In Simbarashe’s collection of photos, much attention has been paid to the movement and connection of the body with the environment. He attributes this vision to his passion for filmmaking and dance. In 2022, his short film Freedom to Be won an Emmy Award. In this film, the person’s relationship with his body has been very effective in shaping the story.

“Dancing is about body movement. The basics of dancing and how it relates to body movement made me learn about my body and understand how to communicate with it. My personal style was formed when I started dancing; When I realized that I can move my body in a certain way. That’s when I realized what clothes I liked or could wear that would allow me to move where I wanted to and of course look good. He added:

“The first thing I thought about when photographing people in New York was how the clothes moved with the people, and that’s still the most fascinating part of the job for me.”

The competition in the fashion industry is very high and the chance to be in the top ranks is not the same for everyone. A few people from all over the world have the opportunity to be in this arena; But is there a standard for being in the fashion family?

“To succeed in fashion journalism, I think the first thing is to be a very good journalist. Fashion history can help you, and of course you should follow fashion news very closely.

He continued: “If you want to become a designer of a brand in the fashion industry; First, you have to be great at designing. We are talking about the luxury sector, which is a very elitist and very small space. People who have access to these jobs; They are like members of a family in this industry. In addition, jobs in this industry are very limited. How can we take a chance when there aren’t many options? All we can do is be the best. I was all about being the best photographer I could be. I stayed behind this door for years and now I’m here.”

When we think of the world of fashion, the first thing that comes to mind is uniqueness; But What distinction is the fashion industry looking for?

“I thought that if I took the best conceptual fashion photos, agencies would start signing me; But now none of those photos are even in my portfolio. Some of them are really good pictures.”

He continued:

“I woke up one morning and said this method is not working for me. This method does not reflect my view of the world. Other people don’t understand what kind of artist I am or what kind of photography model I am and how I feel the world.

To produce a photo that others like; I had made myself very busy. I had lost my focus to do the best I could. I changed myself; Of course, I changed my life, and definitely people’s view of me and my work also changed.”

How do brands work with photographers? Are brands determining the type of collaboration or photographers?

“it depends. Brands sometimes come to me with moodboards; Sometimes they may have an idea and ask me to make a moodboard for them. I have been a writer before all of this; I think I can explain my ideas better by writing. Sometimes only my performance method is interesting for them, that’s why they come to me. This step is up to me with what creative idea to go ahead with. There is no special law.”

Do you have any tips or advice for amateurs and newcomers to this industry?

“The first thing I can say is: work as hard as they can. Being in fashion is like being in Hollywood. Many people who come to Los Angeles think they can easily work in Hollywood; But the first thing they realize is that they have to work hard. They have a very difficult task ahead of them and they need expertise and dedication to achieve their goal.

Finally, if someone loves performing a skill; Be so lovable that others want to work with him and also be able to get along with others; Then you can be sure that he will have a chance to succeed.”