Do photographers or models provide clothes?

<p>I would like to begin taking portraits of models soon just for hobby but I have a specific vision in mind for my themes, 'vintage with a splash of modern'. The thing is, I will be shooting 35mm and large format and will have to spend money on developing and scanning as well as film itself. I understand that if I want to make certain that I capture my vision I should provide the clothes, but when a model does reply to an ad I'm just wondering if it is already expected of me (the photographer) to be the one providing the clothes or is it usually the model who does this? My second question is, to avoid having to spend a large amount of money on clothes that I wouldn't be wearing, is it acceptable to return these clothes back to the company to receive a refund as long as they are in good condition and meets the companies policy on returns?</p>

<p>If there is really no wardrobe, it's good to shoot artistic nude ;)</p>

<p>Delete</p>

<p>If the photographer has a specific theme in mind to shoot, it in my opinion is/should be his responsibility to provide the optimal conditions to obtain/make/shoot those pictures.</p>

<p>Problem these days is that many photographers (and I use that term loosely) have a mind full of wild ideas, at best supported by a 'moodboard' of all kind of pictures they found on the net, but which in reality co not correspond with their own capacities and/or organizing skills.</p>

<p>So what happens is that the photographer before the shoot draws an elaborate picture of what he ideally wants to shoot, and then expects the model to basically organize the whole styling (clothes. shoes, accessories) bit from their own wardrobe.</p>

<p>And basically demands the make up artis (if there's one provided) to do the same as far as the make up is concerned based on (what in my exerience as a make up artist, an activity of mine next to photography) a only too often incorrect description for the kind of make up wanted.<br /> I recently experienced e.g. a request for 'natural make up' illustrated by pictures of models with heavy eyeliner and false eyelashes. Or 'film noire' make up but rather then the typical 40's and 50's film style make up actually a comtemporary version of late 70's disco make up.</p>

<p>Only to at the shoot give as single feedback 'no, those are not the right clothes/styling/make up', without any further concrete input or alternative option like e.g. providing the clothes in the style desired. Whilst at best only taking the pictures which are expected to magically appear before for him to shoot, while later claiming all responsibility for the total success of the shoot.</p>

<p>A succesful fashion shoot IMO consists of several elements:<br /> - concept (what are you going to shoot? Moodboard, tearsheets, videos!))<br /> - styling (clothes shoes accesories)<br /> - hair and make up<br /> - models (obviously)<br /> - logistics (where, what time, timetable, transport, food/drinks, music)<br /> - and oh yeah, photography. More then ' what camera/lens/setting/aperture do I use', but including actively coaching of the models, suggestion of poses, so not: 'no not like that, do 'something else'.And having a clear idea of your set - including lighting scheme- before hand so you don't aks a model to hold her pose 'naturally' while you make changes to the position of your lights, of switch lenses ).</p>

<p>Sure, the latter is important, but if the previous items are not properly taken care of, the whole shoot risks to/will be very likely to fail.</p>

<p>So if yo have a specific theme you want to shoot, I strongly advise you to organize/have a strong say in the styling/hair make up bit yourself.<br /> To place the responsibility for the styling and possibly make up/hair on the model is of course the easy way out, but if you unless pay the model extra for those things (after all, when you're being paid for a shoot, part of your fee is also to cover the expense you made for buying your equipment) as an extra fee of in the agreed upon model fee, you really can't make any claims on her if it's not what you had in mind/would have wanted.<br /> <br />Sure it may cost you extra, but hey, you want to shoot those pictures to begin with. And if things are poorly organized, but more likely to fail anyway, and then the cost for film, developing and scanning will be wasted no matter. So the extra investment in the correct clothes etc is the best guarantee to (styingwise) get the pictures you're after, rather then to save on that and to end up with pictures that are not just what you wanted despite all the money spent on the 'techie stuff'.</p>

<p>As far as getting the 'correct' clothes' I would search the net for shops/designers who have stuff in that style. Ask them if it's possible to rent it, which usually is the case ('standard' fee here in Europe usually is around 20% per day).</p>

<p>If the styling is more mainstreet, my experience is that the major mainstream shops (won't mention names, but the ones selling 'stylish but cheap' mass volume like e.g. the well nown Swedish one) have an easy policy on clothes bought but returned shortly after purchase (provided all the pricetags are left untouched/not cut of).</p>

<p>And if you expect to shoot a theme more often, it may be cheaper to slowly start collecting certain items yourself, so you'll always have a skeleton wardrobe to fall back upon, rather then having the extra expense of hiring stuff each shoot. I recommend flea markets,thrift shops and (seasonal) sales as a good and cheap staring point for that.</p><div></div>

<p>If you are dong something special with wardrobe, you should provide it. </p>

<p>If you buy things for the shoot, they are yours. If they are worn, even for a shoot, they are used and should not go back to the store. </p>

<p>A lot of models stock wardrobe. Before buying anything special, talk to the model and see what the model has. </p>

<p>There are plenty of places to rent clothing. Here's <a href="https://www.stylelend.com/">one</a>.</p>

<p>Think about buying a camera you need for a weekend, using it for a few days, and sending it back to the store. Think that's a good thing?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the replies. Paul thank you for your feedback, I will make sure to get my concept straight with storyboards and reference photos so neither me or the model just dive into an unplanned shoot. <br>

Jeff, thank you for the link but unfortunately I don't have IOS which is required to download. I will search for some more rental websites and if you happen to know any that are accessible for all software users I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you everyone. </p>

<p>I've tried searching online and found Dreamshootrentals. I've been having a difficult time finding anything for more casual wear, such as clothing from sites such as topshop.com. I'm surprised that there isn't much discussion regarding this in any forums I've come across or even Youtube. If anyone knows any sites to rent more casual clothing or lingerie please let me know, thank you.</p>

<p>Found this when doing some searching under ' vintage with a splash of modern clothing rental' :<br>

http://www.boroughvintage.com/vintage-rentals/</p>

<p>Maybe a bit too 'couture' (= expensive)<br>

http://www.newyorkvintage.com/<br>

https://www.renttherunway.com/category/designers/decadesvintage</p>

<p>Not labeling themselves as rental, but maybe, if you drop them a mail<br>

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/fashion/article17144588.html<br>

http://www.modcloth.com/shop/vintage-clothing<br>

http://secondgracevintage.com/</p>

<p>An alternative for buying stuff cheaply yourself (?)<br>

http://garmentdistrict.com/</p>

<p>Of course being based in Europe, I can't be specific for the possibilities in your area, but as you can see, there plenty of possibilities to be found already even from here.</p>

<p>Otherwise try to contact stylists at modelsites like ModelMayhem and the likes, and see if they can help you out with address's, or maybe even help/work with you (stylists need pictures for their portfolios too).</p>

<p>As far as models having 'having a stock of garments' that of course is beside the, as far as photography is concerned, reality.</p>

<p>To begin with, just like the term 'photographer' is nowadays too loosely applied on any GWC, that also is the case with 'models'. Only too often it's just someone who's willing to pose in front of the camera, without really having some if any experience.<br>

Not helped by the fact that just like any GWC can profile himself on the net as a pro photographer, there's plenty of wannabee models on the net as well, who despite lack of talent or meeting the business's demands, profile themselves as 'professional models' as well, and for the GWC's are good enough, thus instigating the inflation of the term 'model' even further.</p>

<p>Unfortunately that for many 'photographers' is no objection, and too often a reason, for demanding even the most inexperienced model to strike the perfect pose with any direction or guidance of the 'photographer' despite of that. Or expecting/demanding them to have exactly the perfect wardrobe with her on the shoot (without being extra paid as a stylist, if paid as a model at all) for the pictures the 'photographer' has in mind (with an emphasis on 'in mind' as there's only too often a failure in ability to communicate that vision in practical terms).</p>

<p>If the 'photographer' hasn't anything too specific in mind (for many the 'kick' of having a 'real model', dressed or 'artistic nude' in front of the camera is too often good enough already), yes, too often the wardrobe, usually just consisting of contemporary/modern casual/street wear , of the model may very well do the trick.</p>

<p>But if he has some specific style in mind, he should either contact the model to specifically ask whether she has that style of clothing in her wardrobe.<br>

So no noncommittal 'do you have some retro stuff' question,but a detailed, best illustrated with actual pictures found eg on the net, question on whether she has or can get access to those kind of clothes. And if she says she does, ask her to illustrate her answer with pictures (iphone is good enough) of the items she can get hold of, so a preliminary selection can be made, and any disappointment on set when actually shown prevented.</p>

<p>Or, as said before, organize those items himself, by renting or buying them himself, or getting hold of them though the help/assistance of a stylist.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>In a perfect world the wardrobe stylist provides clothing. When I test with models I usually ask them to bring things, but mostly because I tend to shoot casual basics (ie. jeans, tshirts, tank tops, blouses, etc) that 99.9% of models wear in their daily life and are likely to already have.<br>

<br />There are however times when there are specifics that are either something unlikely for them to have, or something I'd rather not risk them bringing something not-quite what I was looking for. In those cases I prefer to look for a stylist, or if all else fails buy it myself if it's not super expensive. <br>

<br />In my experience, and from working with <strong>a lot </strong>of models over the past couple years...they prefer not to get crazy mood boards with super specific clothing requests if they're going to have to bring stuff. Pretty much all of them will agree that a stylist is preferred as well. </p>