What Does It Take to Shoot a Magazine Editorial?

An editorial shoot, like any type of photography, requires a perfect blend of planning and play. Timing is critical, especially when working with a celebrity. In this video, London-based photographer Ejatu Shaw shares a behind-the-scenes look of her shoot with radio host Roman Kemp.

Shaw shares her process for planning and shooting a fashion editorial, offering an unfiltered look for what a typical shoot day might look like. Shaw begins by talking through her moodboard process, where she not only outlines the types of images she is aiming to make, but also includes several examples for each type. A moodboard doesn’t need to be highly structured, but having half a dozen or so broad ideas can be a jumping-off point for when you are actually on location with models.

To no one's surprise, the remainder of the video continues on with the rest of the shoot. The key point for me is the level of preparedness Shaw demonstrates to execute a fashion editorial shoot. This, of course, might differ for the shoot and for the photographer. Some photographers prefer to plan every detail, while others might only plan broad ideas, or the plan might include a specific lighting setup or color scheme. But balancing your plan with room for play is critical to having that sense of spontaneity in your images.

Ali Choudhry's picture

Ali Choudhry is a photographer in Australia. His photographic practice aims to explore the relationship with the self, between the other, and the world. Through use of minimalist compositions and selective use of color and form he aims to invoke what he calls the "breath". He is currently working towards a BA (Honours) in Photography.

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