More Experiences with a Home Studio: A Fashion Shoot Adventure

It’s not often I dive into fashion photography, but years ago in London, I worked with a friend who specialized in it. At the time, my focus was on post-production in Photoshop, which had become my obsession. After taking a break from photography to work as a designer at a big agency, I got a call that would reignite my interest in fashion shoots.

A Serendipitous Opportunity

Louise, a friend of a mutual contact, reached out to see if I’d be interested in doing a shoot. Perfect timing, as I’d been looking for the right opportunity to dip my toes back into fashion. We originally planned to use a friend’s space, but conflicting schedules led us to a last-minute decision: let’s try it at my place.

Home Studio Challenges

My home studio wasn’t exactly equipped for a full-fledged fashion shoot. While my walls were a neutral off-white, the floors were wood, and I didn’t have any professional backdrops. Still, I was determined. I laid down a white bed sheet, hoping it would simplify post-production. Furniture was cleared, and with limited space, we made it work. You can see the space in one of the images I shot.

A Long, Rewarding Day

he shoot turned into an 8-hour marathon where we managed to capture close to 40 different outfits. The process was far from perfect—working in such tight quarters wasn’t ideal—but the energy and camaraderie of the team made it enjoyable. By the end, we were snacking on pizza and drinking beer, feeling satisfied with the work we’d done.

The Joy of Working with a Model

One of the things I learned is that working with a model who’s confident and comfortable in front of the camera makes a huge difference. Unlike portrait sessions, where you spend time getting people to relax and smile, fashion photography is all about the lighting and posing. Once you’ve got that dialed in, the process flows much more easily.

Lessons Learned for Future Fashion Shoots

While I enjoyed the shoot, the aftermath was less thrilling. Two days spent cleaning up backgrounds in Photoshop was a tedious, time-consuming task. The exposures were perfect, and the images needed very little work in terms of editing, but those backgrounds! Next time, I’ll be sure to arrange for a proper studio space if a clean, professional look is required.