Mikenia’s brief went beyond showing activewear on a standing model. The brand wanted photographs for its online store that connected the clothes with exercise and everyday wear. That gave us two kinds of images to work towards: quieter poses and movement.
We photographed the collection in a Toronto studio with large windows and white brick walls. The space gave us a simple background and enough natural light to keep the clothing central to the photographs.
A simple setting for the collection
The white brick added texture without requiring a different backdrop for every outfit. Working in one studio let us keep the setting connected as we changed models, clothing and poses.
For a clothing shoot, the room has to work for the team as well as the photographs. This space gave us room to adjust the setup as the session progressed.
Working with changing window light
I used the daylight from the studio’s windows. Clouds changed its brightness during the session, so I adjusted the camera settings as we worked to keep the photographs consistent.
That was the approach for this collection and space. It does not mean window light is the answer to every product brief; the choice should follow the clothing, the required views and the way the images will be used.
Yoga, stretching and quieter poses
We included yoga poses, stretches and workout movements alongside more relaxed frames. Changing the activity gave us different views of the garments and a way to show them in the context the brand had described.
A movement photograph and a clear view of a garment do different jobs. For a new collection, I would plan the necessary product views first, then decide which additional actions help tell the story.
Photographing the collection on different models
Mikenia asked to show the clothing on models with different body types. That was part of the brief, alongside the movement and everyday-wear ideas.
The series brought those choices together through the same studio setting and daylight approach. The photographs show the collection through both active and quieter moments.
Plan a clothing shoot around the images you need
If you are preparing a collection, start with the garments, the views you need for each one and where the photographs will appear. Product pages, a campaign banner and social posts can need different framing and space around the model.
See my business and brand photography or send me your collection brief. We can discuss the models, setting, light and shot list before choosing the session format.
