Finding a fashion photographer just got easier thanks to directories of photographers that list them by category or location. Many photographers are also creating online portfolios that showcase their work as well as list their fashion photography info and experience. So if you're looking for everything from a photographer who specializes in doing portraits or glamor shots to a photographer to handle an on-location commercial shoot, you can find the right photographer to shoot photographs for your business.

Use your knowledge of fashion photography to help you find the right photographer for the job. Here are some additional things to consider about making the most of fashion photographers:

1. Hire fashion photographers by the type of fashion photographs they shoot.

2. Find professional fashion photographers by location for out-of-town shoots.

3. Locate fashion photographers through online portfolios.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire fashion and beauty photographers based on the type of fashion photography they do

Use a directory or list of fashion photographers that uses categories such as glamour, hair and makeup, wedding, or lingerie, to find the kind of fashion photographers you want to hire for your business.

I recommend: Go to PhotographyHomepages.com to find listings of photographers such as swimsuit, runway or plus size. Visit The Photography Directory to get fashion photographer information for photographers who shoot for catalogs, fashion advertising and editorials. Learn how to hire a photographer from Paso Robles Photographer.

Hire fashion photographers based on location

If you need a fashion photographer for a specific location, such as a destination shoot, or if you're new in the area and want to hire a photographer, you can find them based on location. There are professional fashion photographer listings where you can quickly contact information along with their fashion photography specialty, such as sports, editorial or commercial shoots.

I recommend: Go to Photography Pro to find fashion photography information and listings of fashion photographers by location. Freelance Designers has a list of photographers by state, and JPG has fashion photography tips and information so that you can better direct your photo shoot.

View online professional fashion photography galleries and portfolios to find photographers

Today, many fashion photographers are creating online portfolios to showcase their work. You can find out what kinds of fashion photography they shoot, their location and even fashion photography info like what jobs they've done and how many years of experience they have as fashion photographers. Create a portfolio of fashion photography shoots you've created to show clients your work.

I recommend: Go to Alpha Omega to look through its listings of fashion photographers and information on fashion photography. View the fashion portfolio of Andres Hernandez to see the kind of work that fashion beauty photographers do. VirtualPhotographyStudio.com has information about how to promote your photography business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Help narrow your search for fashion photographers by deciding what categories of fashion photography you might use for your business.

The genre of fashion photography includes images devoted to capturing and displaying clothing, jewelry, and other fashion items. The work of fashion photographers is prevalent in magazines such as Vanity Fair and Vogue. Finding a fashion photographer who can fulfill your business needs will take time.

Some fashion photographers may specialize in a certain location, certain type of fashion, certain type of models, prefer black and white over color, or have experience in a variety of fashion arenas. Find a fashion photographer for magazine photos, fashion runway shows, a special fashion event, catalog images, or stills to hang in your office or post on your website. Before you get started, consider the following pointers:

1. Know the type of fashion photography you need so you can focus on finding a photographer with the applicable background.

2. Calculate your budget and know your deadline, since photographers can be quite expensive and their schedules can be quite full.

3. Decide whether you want to be involved in the shoot, or if you will let the photographer have free rein based on your stated requirements.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search through an agency list of fashion photographers

Professional fashion photography is a large field of work, so narrowing down your options should be the first goal. Professional photography agencies can assist you in your search but contract rates may be higher than finding a photographer on your own.

I recommend: You can search by state for fashion photographers at Locate Models. Look through portfolios of beauty photographers at Profotos.com.

Use professional associations to find a professional fashion photographer

Experienced fashion photographers will have a sizable portfolio, come highly recommended, and will be attached to a fee ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands, depending on your needs. A well-known fashion photographer specializing in weddings will charge more than the local small town wedding photographer.

I recommend: Try a state or destination search for a wedding photographer at the Wedding Photojournalist Association site. Use the free search tool through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) to be referred to fashion photographers fitting your criteria.

Hire professional fashion photographers on a small budget by using freelancers

Freelance photographers abound and can be found through word of mouth, local fashion events, and even through freelance job boards. Use all avenues to find potential candidates. Make sure to check out their website and look through any portfolios you can find.

I recommend: Post your project requirements on iFreelance and receive bids from fashion photographers who would like your business. You can locate a fashion photographer through FreelanceDesigners. The International Freelance Photographers Association maintains a list of freelance fashion photographers by last name and location.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find fashion photographer information in magazines you enjoy reading. Just look at the photo credits and perform a Web search or contact the magazine's editorial staff for the photographer's contact information.
• •  Follow up with a photographer if you find their work on display. They may not be a fit, but they may be open to giving recommendations if they know someone who may be more suitable.

Professional fashion photography is a specific genre of photography used most often to display clothing and other items of a fashionable nature for advertisement purposes or in fashion-based magazines. Throughout the history of fashion photography, professional fashion photographers have developed their own specific methods and formulas for creating successful and eye-catching shots. For individuals who wish to become a part of the professional fashion photography industry, it is important to acquire relevant fashion photography education and training.

Information on fashion photography can be garnered from a variety of resources. You can expedite the process of getting started in fashion photography if you:

1. Earn a degree from a reputable organization for fashion photography.

2. Attend seminars, courses and workshops hosted for professional fashion photographers and would-be beauty photographers in order to get advice from the individuals who best understand the industry.

3. Take part in some of the many tutorials available for professional fashion photographers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate schools and establishments offering degrees for fashion photography and related fields

Fashion photographers education and training often begins with an appropriate college education. There are many institutions which offer photography degrees, but it is important to isolate the establishments which will offer a concentration with respect to fashion photography, which is its own specialized genre.

I recommend: The International Academy of Design and Technology offers a variety of photography courses, including those which would assist in the creation of fashion advertisements and photographs. This allows the school to offer a solid foundation in photography, indispensable to aspiring fashion photographers. At the Academy of Art University, online and offline courses are offered with respect to fashion photography skills and information. The Miami Ad School is another institution offering advantageous fashion photography specific courses, as well as financial aid for those who need it.

Do research into seminars or workshops designed to assist careers of beauty photographers

There are many beauty photography courses, seminars and workshops which are planned in advance and in which fashion photographers are invited to take part. These types of events often offer an impressive list of fashion photographers acting as guest speakers and teachers, as well as other industry professionals who can pass on relevant information.

I recommend: Go to the Photography Institute, which offers an online course in photgraphy. Image Factory West offers individualized workshops to individuals who are interested in fashion photography.

Review tutorials designed for professional fashion photographers offering fashion photography info

There are a number of video and text beauty photography tutorials available to aspiring beauty photographers. This information can offer beneficial and up-to-date information about fashion photography.

I recommend: FCI Photography offers an introductory tutorial into the fashion photography industry. Additional fashion photography information in the form of a tutorial can be found at MariasPhoto.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many fashion photographers choose to specialize their area of focus. This may be done with respect to lighting and equipment, location and models or style. When choosing a focus for your fashion photography, make sure it reflects your passions and interests.