Eight Things To Do To Get Hired As A Photo Stylist

Many factors go into being hired as a Photo Stylist. Here are 8 steps to keep in mind as you pursue a career in styling:

1.  HONE YOUR STYLING CRAFT, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES.

Techniques, methods and trends are always changing.  Ensure that you are continuing to educate yourself, taking classes and workshops to learn.  I continually attend seminars, go to industry trade shows to see what products are popular and what I can use in photo shoots for clients.  For example, in many of my brand lifestyle shoots, I style florals for background atmosphere or on a dining table.  So, have taken floral workshops  I talk about one of my favorites in Styling Florals and Plants and Wholesale Purchasing. 

2.  CONDUCT IN-DEPTH CONSULTATIONS WITH CLIENTS

Pro Stylists will have an in-depth consultations to learn about the client and their business. Stylists do a deep dive into the purpose, style, emotion, feel, vibe of ad campaigns or promotional images for their clients business. Stylists learn demographics of the client.

Also position yourself as a Creative Advisor and Partner as you work with your clients.  I have a philosophy I call the don't always give a client what they want.  You are the pro ~ they hired you for a reason.  Position yourself as a Creative Advisor.  Don't be shy. Give your style opinions and suggestions in a positive way.  I chat about that in phrases to avoid when you are on a styling assignment.

3.  HAVE A CREATIVE DIRECTOR MINDSET.

Stylists do not  just “shop for wardrobe and props”. A great professional stylist will offer a full range of creative concepts for clients to think about.  They provide creative ideas to ensure the clients service/product is seen in the best, productive, “sales-generating” ways possible.  The goal of the job is to bring eyes to your client's product/service and engage responses with the end result being sales to your client. Photo Stylist’s bring sales with their creativity.

4. HAVE SOME PHOTOGRAPHY KNOWLEDGE.

It's important to know the basics as well as photographer and photography "lingo/language" as a Photo Stylist. While not absolutely required, you could take a class on photography or connect and consult with a commercial photographer to give you lessons on lighting, lingo, etc. Also, understand how the images will be used. This will dictate how you will style.  For example, website images, maybe styled differently than social formats.

 
5.  BE RESOURCEFUL AND PROACTIVE.

You never want to say “I don’t know where to find that”.  Have resources for everything:  backdrops and surfaces, fabrics (See my fabric sources in this video I did on Instagram.) props ~ everything.  This is one of many reasons I attend trade shows. (Such a important and helpful part of my styling career, I wrote Stylists Guide to Networking and Guide to Conference, Tradeshows and Events)  It gives me an opportunity to meet the brands and see what they have to offer in products for photo shoots.

6.  CONNECT WITH CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

It’s great to have a relationships and connections throughout the creative community.  It’s so helpful when your client is doing a photo shoot with you and they say . . . do you know a commercial photographer that can take the images, a hair and makeup stylist, etc.  It’s great to have a “team” of industry friends/relationships.  We can all help each other.

I take it a HUGE step forward.  I have connections with wardrobe, home and food suppliers.  I call upon them when I’m doing photo shoots.  For example, when I need a specific wardrobe for a photo shoot, I call one of the wardrobe brands I work with an ask them if I could “borrow” wardrobe for the shoot.  It is no cost to me/client and in return we get them photo credit and tags on all social media.  This is advertising for them and no cost to the client.  It is win-win.  So, establish and keep your creative and company relationships. (& make sure you show appreciate to them!  I always send a gift packed in the packages I sent back of their wardrobe/products.  This works with all types of companies. Need home decor supplies?  Make those connections!  Also, they can be social media connections or in person connections.

7.  HAVE OPTIONS ON HOW CLIENTS HIRE YOU.

I NEVER suggest going down on your rate, rather I suggest having options for a client to hire you. I do:

▪︎  1 Hour Creative Consultations
▪︎  Prop and Drop
▪︎  Day Rate

While, I don’t advertise “pricing packages” to clients, I do have options for them.  You want to be accommodating WITHOUT decreasing your styling rate.

8.  HAVE A SUPPLY OF YOUR OWN PHOTO SHOOT PROPS.

Again, not absolutely necessary, to get hired, BUT it is great to have a “in-house” prop shop with props you/your clients can use for photos.  (Even if it is a small collection of props) It decreases your need to shop (or like I said in #6 borrow).  I show clients my props via a my iPad/Video.  I have categorized my props, so I can quickly show clients what I have “in-stock”.

RECAP

The more USP (unique selling propositions) you can add to your business, the better.  As I always say, be the obvious choice.  How can you be the obvious choice?  By concentrating on all the above points AND approaching prospective clients that match YOUR type of styling.  The client has to imagine you being able to style their brand.  They need to see that in your images and portfolio.   It is easier to "close a sale" book a styling client if your styles/vibe is aligned.

Invest in your styling business and knowledge consistently.  Here are 5 of the best investments I have made in my styling business.

So, once you have that client, you want to keep them and get hired back.  Check out our post on 5 reasons you will not be hired back as a Photo Stylist.

Bonnie ~

Photo Credit:  Adobe