A Career In Fashion Photography

We see them everywhere, in Magazines, on the Run Way, in advertisements on TV. They are the slender women strutting their stuff or extra ordinary Beauties with their sultry looks flashing their pearly whites while wearing the newest Styles from the hottest Designers. We are talking about the fashion models of today, yesterday and tomorrow. They are everywhere we look, but who brings them to us? Their images are captures with care and precision, patience and that special look for style, color and lighting composition. I am talking about the fashion photographers.

In the fashion circles famous names like Mario Testino (easily one of the hottest names out there) and Eva Mueller (photographer for Fashion Magazine Allure) are just as sought out if not more then those men and women sauntering their way into our conscious.

High Paychecks and glamour’s Lifestyle of hob nobbing it with the rich and famous might be the dream of many young shutterbug, however it is not easy to reach the golden Staircases of the well-known fashion houses and magazines. For every one talented photographer, hundreds are left panting at the sidewalk, only dreaming about the moment that their photo will be chosen.

Here are a few tips for the novice and dreamer of dreams in getting started in fashion photography. Study your subject. You can never learn enough. Read and look at any fashion Magazine you can get your hand on. There are fantastic books on Fashion and fashion photography available. Amazon.com has a true treasure trove available.
You need one or two good cameras, tripod and a lighting system. Always make sure that you have plenty of film and batteries available. SLR and digital cameras take different photos, so make sure you find the best for your field.

When submitting your work, hopefully to give a chance you have to have a portfolio on hand, just in case the editor of the fashion magazine wants to see samples of your work. I assure you if they consider working with you that is going to be a fact.
The sharp, bright images of a 4X5” transparency show of your work to its best effort. If you have already had a publication, no matter if, it was a small neighborhood magazine/paper or a contest a tear sheet (literally a sheet you tore out of the magazine) works well. If neither is at hand a good high quality 8 X 10 “is acceptable as well. You want to make sure that you have a minimum of 20 photos in your portfolio and preferably different styles. You want to show your expertise in full figure or just partial body parts.

Remember, fashion includes jewelry and accessories. Sometimes a watch from a famous maker on the slender wrist of a beautiful woman is a good fashion shoot. If you are applying for the job, be prepared to leave your Portfolio behind for an extended period of time, sometimes as much as a couple of weeks. I would advice you to make copies and have several on hand. This comes in handy when showing your work to many different people for consideration for fashion work.

In the time of modern technology, it is good to display your talent as a fashion photographer online as well. Set up a website; submit your photos to contests. Submit them to an online fashion gallery. This helps with getting your work seen and people can see what type of work you actually do and can do for them.

Most editors are looking for your personality in the photos you take. Each fashion photographer captures the soul of the fashion and its model differently. There are a couple of very good “how to get started” websites on the net. You might wish to start out with http://www.fashion.net/howto/photography/ or http://www.stylecarrer.com/fashion_photographer.shtml. Most importantly, if this is your dream, don’t give up. Keep trying and I hope to see your images on the cover of my next hot fashion magazine.

How to Use Essential Oils During Pregnancy

Those who have used essential oils before becoming pregnant will probably want to use them during their pregnancy.  Some people will want to try them for the first time while expecting.  However, it's important to know how to use essential oils safely during pregnancy.

There are many essential oils and blends of oils that just aren't safe to use during pregnancy.  Some herbs that are used in cooking should be avoided in their essential oils forms during all nine months of pregnancy.  These include basil, bay leaves, sage, thyme, and oregano.  Others are clove, marjoram, and wintergreen.  Some of the essential oils are safe for use after the first trimester.  There are remedies for many of the discomforts of pregnancy.   For example, women often have morning sickness that lasts beyond the first trimester.  If so, they can breathe in oil of peppermint, spearmint, or lemon. 

It is easy to end up feeling tense and full of muscle pain when you are pregnant.  If this happens, a massage could be just the thing you need.  With the essential oils of lavender and chamomile mixed with vegetable oil, your partner can help ease away that tension. 

Commonly, women suffer from swollen ankles and feet during pregnancy.  If lavender, cypress, and juniper oils are mixed with vegetable oil, they can used for massage oil.  This blend of essential oils can cause the swelling to decrease. 

Pregnant women also have muscle cramps in their legs at times.  For this, massage oil can be made from the essential oils of lavender and chamomile, just as for any muscle pain.  However, with this pain and any pain of the feet and legs, it is important to be careful when doing the massage.  Activating pressure points in these areas can induce labor. 

Carrying around all that extra weight can make a woman feel quite fatigued.  She may have given up coffee and caffeinated soft drinks for the health of her baby.  To energize herself, she can mix essential oils of lavender, grapefruit, and orange with vegetable oil. This can be inhaled or rubbed on the solar plexus.  Skin eruptions are common during pregnancies.  They are uncomfortable and distressing to many women.  Several different conditions can be helped by putting a mixture of essential oils and vegetable oil on the affected areas. 

The essential oils you should use for dry skin are geranium, lavender, and rose.  For inflamed skin, use chamomile.  For itchy skin, use a combination of chamomile and lavender.  These remedies should soothe the skin and make it smoother.  There's just no getting around stretch marks.  If you are getting them, though, you might like to have a way to soothe them and keep them from itching.  Just put lavender, geranium, and rosewood essential oils in your vegetable oil for massaging. 

Do your homework if you are pregnant and wanting to use essential oils to relieve some of the discomforts associated with pregnancy.  After the first trimester, there are certain essential oils that are safe to use.  If in doubt, consult an expert.  It's important to take the safety of you and your baby into account.