How to Plan for a Lookbook Photoshoot?

Unless you can mentally visualise it, you won't be convinced to buy it. Retailers and manufacturers use lookbooks to help customers "see it" in their minds.

What we mean by "it" goes beyond the actual product. While there is a time and place for product photos taken against a white background, to truly connect with your customer you need to provide them with some background information in the form of a well-styled clothing in an interesting setting.

It takes more than just sketching up outfits, picking out fabric, and making patterns to create a collection. After the samples are made, the team must take other actions in order to promote and sell the collection.

Advertising your clothing line to buyers, editors, and the press is best accomplished through a photo session, often known as a campaign or look book shoot in the fashion business.

Shooting your campaign the day before your runway show will give your photographer plenty of time to edit and finalise proofs in preparation for the public debut of your collection on your website and social media channels the day following the show.

What Is a Lookbook?

The meaning of a lookbook shifts depending on who you ask. An easy way to describe it is as "catalogue photography," but with a more natural and relaxed atmosphere.

Therefore, rather of posing behind a white wall in a studio, the models will be shown in natural settings.

What, therefore, separates a lookbook from an editorial? The most blatant difference is that a lookbook lacks the visual storylines seen in fashion magazines.

Shooting a lookbook is less complicated than shooting an editorial. Simply put, there are no difficult poses required. It's true that most lookbook photos only require the models to stand tall.

Lookbooks are frequently used by the fashion industry to promote their products online. They are more effective at attracting customers than catalogues because of the vivid colours and unique designs they feature.

The goal of this lookbook is to present a variety of possible outfit combinations. A lookbook, in contrast to a highly stylised editorial, shows wearers in more natural settings. That's why a lot of people can identify with them.

Reasons to Create a Lookbook

A "lookbook" can refer to many different things. Creating "looks" for a consumer is a great way to get them to think about what they would like to buy and how they could combine different pieces together. If a buyer likes the way you dress or style an item, they are more likely to buy it themselves or to buy something else they might not have considered before seeing your look.

In addition, providing valuable content gives you an opportunity to humanise your brand in the eyes of the consumer and boost its perceived worth. Motivating material can result in free promotion via social media shares, pins, re-grams, etc.

Let's go over the steps to making a lookbook that will get you lots of sales, pins, and shares on social media. The task at hand may appear insurmountable, but it can be broken down into manageable chunks.

Planning Before Filming

Budget

It's wise to evaluate your financial situation initially. You don't want to spend time hoping, thinking, and planning for a brilliant idea only to find out that you don't have the resources to bring it to life.

Inspirational Leadership

Knowing how much money you have to spend will help guide your creative thinking. One effective technique is to create a "mood board" out of tissue paper to convey the desired emotion.

Tearing pages out of periodicals and catalogues is one kind of "pulling tears," as is building a Pinterest board or snapping screenshots of websites.

Put your work into a digital format that may be easily distributed to other team members.

Make sure there isn't a misalignment between your vision and the development you have to deal with by reviewing and keeping in mind the product you are filming while pulling tears.

For instance, if your brand is more boho in style, it will be challenging to realise your vision of a shoot in a sleek contemporary home.

Assemble your mood board, and then decide whether you'd like to realise your concept in a studio or on site.

Booking

When it comes to running a successful business, I believe that having a great product is secondary to hiring the right people and that having a fantastic location is even more crucial. When it comes to taking pictures, talent matters. Talented individuals may work their magic to make even the most unappealing setting look spectacular.

Not that location isn't important; in fact, it may have a significant impact on a photographer's work when combined with skilful subjects and an interesting setting. All of the following must be scheduled in advance for a lookbook photo shoot:

• Photographer: A great artist is necessary to make great art.
• Model: Select a someone who exemplifies the brand's values and with whom its target demographic may easily identify. A professional model is aware of their best poses, facial expressions, direction, and naturalness. If you don't hire a professional model, you might have to take a few hundred shots until you find one you like. An efficient model will help you save time (which is the same thing as money).
• A stylist can be an invaluable asset to your team, but this depends on your specific circumstances and budget. They can put together the ensembles, track out the right accessories, make the product fit perfectly on stage, and even offer some fashion-appropriate creative direction.
• When it comes to hair and makeup, what works on camera may not necessarily work for the unaided eye. Hiring a professional who is well-versed in hair and makeup for photography is a good idea. For instance, you may want your model to have a smoky eye, but the flash will generate shadows that would amplify that effect. Makeup artist who can adapt to different lighting conditions is essential for achieving the desired effect in film.
• You, as the brand representative, play the role of an art director or creative director in most companies. In a pinch, this individual may be in charge of organising everything from lunch to the shot list, venue, transportation, and more.
• If you have the means, hire a producer or personal assistant. Hiring a producer/PA frees up your team members to focus on what they do best. They will take care of food, travel, permits, call sheets, steaming, and everything else that comes up.
• Booking studio time is required if the photographer does not have their own dedicated shooting area. Depending on where you plan to film, you may need to secure permission to film in public areas, rent a home, or use a hotel or other commercial property.
• If you are filming at a studio and want to achieve a specific look and feel, you may want to employ the services of a set designer and a prop stylist. Being photogenic is distinct from just looking good in general.

Schedule of Events

We strongly advise against going into a photo shoot without first creating a shot list. If it's simply in your thoughts, your highly skilled team of specialists won't know what's going on. If it's simply in your thoughts, your highly experienced team of specialists won't know what's going on.

You should try to plan out each potential outfit in as much detail as possible in advance, even if you can't predict the specifics. If you're able to shed tears, do so.

The more you can plan ahead of time, the more you'll be able to film, and you'll be ready to solve any issues that may arise before or during production.

You should at least include basic creative direction and a list of looks (and items, if relevant) in your shot list.

Making use of your stylist in this way is highly recommended, as they will be able to assist you in developing the looks and provide input on styling and accessories, so facilitating your work and improving the quality of your collaboration.

Don't overestimate your shooting abilities. From what I've seen, the number of looks you can photograph for a lookbook in a single day can range from 10 to 30.

Consider that the total will be on the low side if you need to travel between numerous places in a single day or if you intend to take your time perfecting each shot. In the event that time is limited, it is important to prioritise your shot list.

Helpful Hints for Arranging a Photoshoot

Find a Trustworthy Photographer

Photographers often play a crucial role in determining the quality of final images. The result will depend not only on their individual photographic skills but also on their sense of style and their ability to collaborate effectively with their teammates.

In order to avoid issues with copyright, inappropriate behaviour, unprofessionalism, and miscommunicated price, it is important to find a photographer who is professional and prepared to sign a contract.

Have a Model Search

Depending on your organization's location, you may have an abundance of choices or a dearth of alternatives while trying to find an appropriate model.

By inviting only the models who are serious about attending the fitting, you can quickly cut down the pool of potential candidates in your city.

You should not book a model whose work ethic or personality clashes with your own or that of your team.

Think It Through, Try It Out, See If It Works

Although it may seem apparent to plan the hair and makeup, as a designer who has shot numerous collection campaigns, I can assure you that unless you test the entire look on the specific model with the same hair and makeup artist, the model will not look like what you predicted.

Still, Time Constraints Force You to Accept It

Due to the high expense of hiring a photographer, a hair and makeup artist, and a stylist for a photoshoot, it is crucial to manage time and expectations in the lead up to the session by planning, testing, and fitting all of the elements involved.

Get Some Extra Hands

Some fashion houses believe that all you need for a good session is a photographer, a model, and a clothes rack. While some fashion designers may believe that a trendy photographer, makeup artist, and model is all that is required, we know better.

If you don't recruit more help to steam clothes, organise looks, and keep everything running, your team will be overwhelmed by all the clothes, props, angles, fittings, and looks.

Reaching out to local universities in search of volunteers willing to pitch in for the sake of experience is a smart move even for those on a tight budget.

Simplify

The node will not only detract from the outfit if you plan on shooting in an editorial setting with five models, distracting lighting, and props. Just one model, a minimal setting, and a polished aesthetic will allow the viewer's attention to be drawn to the models' poses and garments.

Consider Some Model Lookbook Samples

Looking at such examples is the best method to learn how to photograph a fashion lookbook. A virtual storefront is available for nearly every major clothing label nowadays. Instagram is also a great place to rapidly browse examples of a brand's photography. Observe how each label accomplishes a variety of looks and make observations.

Take note of the interesting ways in which they combine garments to create unique looks. Thus, it will be less of a challenge for you to identify the businesses that are a good fit for your photographs.

You should study the poses of the models, too. All but one of them are elementary in nature and need nothing in the way of skill to implement. A lot of time may be saved directing individuals if you already know the ideal poses for your lookbook.

Finally, when looking through a lookbook, pay attention to the general atmosphere. Brand identities are of paramount importance to the fashion industry. They range from those who prefer a rustic appearance to others who prefer an eccentric one. Check at the models' stances, the settings, and the outfits themselves to get a sense of how each label conveys its sense of fashion.

How often do the models in the photos appear to be smiling? How vivid and complex are the visuals, or are they more simplistic? What emotions do they evoke in you?

Learning how these factors effect your mood will be useful in creating the lookbook's overall atmosphere.

You Can Use Your Friends as Models.

One of the attractions of shooting a lookbook is that a large crew is not required. Having a makeup artist, a stylist, and a model on hand is always helpful. However, a stylist and model, or even simply a model, is usually sufficient.

You can always enlist the aid of your pals if you don't have a lot of money to spend on a lookbook. Perhaps they would care about fashion or perhaps just model wear.

After all, everyone knows at least one or two people who enjoy being the centre of attention. You can barter your images with newcomers in exchange for their service if you don't have the funds to pay anyone. The acronym "TFP" stands for "Time For Print."

Snapping Photos for a Lookbook

You've prepared for this day for a long time, and now it's arrived! Everyone would have what they need to accomplish their jobs successfully if you hired the proper individuals. Some things to keep in mind are as follows.

To Arrive First is a Great Accomplishment.

You should take your time. During setup, you and the photographer should be able to discuss ideas and address any problems that have arisen.

The unexpected may happen, so be ready. Deliver the item that needs to be filmed (unless you choose to hand that off to the producer beforehand).

Keep a hard copy of your creative brief, mood board, and shot list on hand (or keep them as an editable digital document on a mobile device) to use as a guide as you work.

Examining the footage will help you ensure that what you've envisioned has been captured. Marking up documents is crucial because you'll frequently need to make last-minute adjustments and add comments or rearrangement.

It's Important to Remember The Snacks.

Keep your focus and know how many shots you've taken at all times today.

Once you've gotten over those initial few glances, you'll want to keep that momentum continuing for as long as possible. Having snacks available is helpful. Snacks, did I forget to mention those?

Please bring a musical device. The only thing more uncomfortable during a shoot is when nobody speaks.

Image Utilization

You now have access to breathtaking images. What exactly do you do with them? Try not to squander them! You may want to create a second lookbook out of select photographs if you find that they do not cohesively fit in with the rest of the collection. You're free to use the images for as long as the current season calls for them.

If a picture fits your season, utilise it. Use all of it. A few things must be guaranteed before using the pictures anywhere .

• Make the photos "shoppable." Whatever platform you are using, be sure to make it easy for your customer to find the products quickly to convert and purchase.
• Align timing across channels and mediums you are using to showcase the photos to show a cohesive brand image to your customer.
• Be very clear on your usage rights for the images (from photographer and models), and don't break out of that agreement. Most terms are for either web, print, social, or advertising for 6-12 months.

Is There Any Reason Why My Clothing Line Should Have a Printed Lookbook?

Digital lookbooks are used by some designers; these are sections of a website that showcase several looks and collections.

There is no excuse not to possess both an online and hardcopy lookbook (in fact, it is recommended).

Incorporating a high-quality printable lookbook into your marketing strategy can benefit your company by

• Successfully drawing attention to yourself. A printed brochure displays your dedication to your job and the professionalism you've put into advertising your products.
• Exaggerating the size of your brand. Say you're a startup or a modest business. This can imply to potential clients that you run a more substantial business with a larger budget, have achieved some degree of success, and can be trusted.
• long enough to be read by someone at some point. In the fashion industry, if an email or link is delivered to a buyer or customer at the wrong time, it may never be seen again. A printed fashion brochure, on the other hand, can wait on a desk until the reader has a few minutes to peruse it. A buyer is considerably less likely to sift through emails to identify your proposal, but at least it will be in a physical pile with the others.
• Having a quick response time and being prepared. A printed lookbook can serve as a business card in the event that you happen to encounter a potential buyer or customer; it will whet their appetite until you ask them to see your collection in person.