Fashion Photography Tutorial: 3 Creative DIY Hacks

Learn these three simple yet effective tricks to take your fashion photoshoots to the next level, with Lauren Naylor Orso

There are endless possibilities as to how you can add creativity and drama to your photoshoot, and they don’t all have to involve spending lots of money. In fact, sometimes even the simplest of props can elevate your photos.

Lauren Naylor Orso (@lnaynay) is a beauty and fashion photographer and art director based in California, US. She doesn’t just take amazing photos; she conceptualizes the shoot, styles the outfits, manages the crew, and finally, edits her photographs in Photoshop and Lightroom. Her soft yet striking compositions have won the attention of Prada, British Vogue, and Levi’s who she has collaborated with.

If you want to learn some simple DIY hacks that will take your photos from good to great, then check out the video below!

Creative DIY hacks for your fashion photoshoot

1. Plexiglass

Plexiglass is an inexpensive material that has a wide range of uses in the photography world. One creative way you can make use of plexiglass, is to scratch it, and place it in front of your camera lens so that it acts as a kind of filter. Make sure the camera is in focus on the model before you slide the plexiglass in front.

2. Create depth with angles

Get creative with the angles you use to take pictures. Crouching down on the floor and taking photos of the models from below gives your images a kind of power and drama. You can also use parts of their body as the foreground - for instance, if you ask your model to stretch their hands towards the camera. This gives an intimacy and softness to the image.

3. Use transparent fabrics

Lauren enjoys using transparent, metallic fabrics since they lend shine and sparkle to your photos. There are endless ways you can use pieces of fabric in your photoshoot: you can drape them over the model’s face so that it acts like a filter and you can add movement by getting the models to lift and manipulate the fabric.

If you want to learn how to execute a photoshoot from start to finish, then check out Lauren’s course Editorial Photography From the Director’s Perspective.

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