Her League – for Dreamingless Magazine - John Sansom

New work published in Dreamingless Magazine Sport Luxe Edition.

Skip on ahead to the end of the post for the images or read-on to learn more about the importance of collaborating with other creatives in the fashion industry.

Collaboration is Key to Growth as a Fashion Photographer

As a fashion photographer you have to be ready to do your thing, to go to work and make it happen at a moments notice. I was invited to join the team for this project just a couple of days before the shoot was scheduled to take place. No problem!

One of the most rewarding things for me about being a photographer are the passionate, ambitious and talented creative people I get to work with. So when I was approached to collaborate and work with a new team on a shoot for magazine submission, I jumped at the opportunity.

When you are on the set of a fashion shoot you have to be ready for anything. There are an awful lot of ingredients that go into making a successful photo shoot and just one poor ingredient is enough to throw off the entire project. It is your responsibility, as the producer for the shoot, to make sure that does not happen. Yes, it is a lot of pressure!

You have to be able to react decisively to what’s happening in front of you, to make adjustments and decisions on the go. Your team look to you for leadership. This is a skill that a fashion photographer absolutely must have in order to succeed.

Of course developing the skills and qualities needed, is not something that just happens by chance. You have to work at it. Practice, plan and reflect on performance. It’s why I believe it is essential to “practice” photography. To invest in your professional development and regularly make time for projects to develop your skills (technical and soft-skills).

Before photography, I worked in Information Technology for over a decade. Specialising in critical Data Systems, I managed technology teams spread across the globe for large technology firms. The business, management and leadership skills I learned in the cooperate world have proven to be incredibly valuable for building and working with teams, as a fashion photographer.

Every project I am involved with is a gift. An opportunity to learn, grow and become better at what I love to do. The same applies to every single member of the shoot team. I encourage you to break out of autopilot. To not just turn up and do great work. Consider how you can leverage the opportunity to push yourself, grow and refine your craft. Set development goals for yourself and your team, before each and every project. The images, whilst a critical deliverable, are not the only thing you should be working on improving.

Are you really making the most of the opportunities that you have?

Her League – for Dreamingless Magazine

Speaking of teams, boy did we have a good one for this shoot. None of the team had worked together previously. To come together for the very first time on the day of the actual shoot and execute a project that gets published in a magazine editorial, is a significant achievement and a credit to all involved. Well done!