WEEK 1 How to Research and Build Visual References for Fashion Photography
Feel free to speed up the video and watch it in full screen — just use the settings
In this video
I explain how to analyze commercial fashion imagery to build strong visual references for your own shoots.
You'll find out
You can go to any brand website (like Michael Kors, Banana Republic, or Emulsion) and study how they position their clothing items — not as a customer, but as a visual strategist.
Focus on studio images of models — you’ll notice that most brands follow strict, consistent guidelines for lighting, posing, and styling across all collections.
These kinds of studio shots are easy to replicate in your own space with basic clean lighting setups.
You can build your own mood board by collecting examples from:
Mainstream fashion websites
Pinterest
Any brand that resonates with your aesthetic
Choose references based on what visually attracts you — trust your eye and taste.
While commercial studio lighting is often standard, the creativity comes from how you direct the model and the story you build.
The same light, outfit, and space can lead to completely different results depending on your artistic choices.
The key idea: Use professional brand imagery as a reference to learn structure and consistency — but infuse your own creativity to elevate the shoot.
