How to shoot Fashion Week Runway Shows

[@gregderozier3846]

The end of the runway shots pay the bills...

[@NoName-jq7tj]

This video brings a lot memories for me. LFW was my first ever assignment as a pro~photographer in September 2004. Being in that press pack was exciting but also very static as a lot of photographers were shooting mainly full length photos. I remember being next to an absolutely veteran Chris Moore who had been doing this for years. I did move around to the sides & would get interesting images. Back stage was also good. Not sure they allow backstage access these days.

[@laylasweetacom7201]

Well In few days i I have my first fashion runaway and i was lost regarding settings but thanks to your clear video I know how to practise until the D-day so definitely a new suscriber 😁

[@Ride1098]

Thanks for the video. I shoot back stage and runway (mostly runway) at NYFW and it’s so nice seeing a video focusing on Fashion shows in general. It all depends on what and who you are shooting for and wether or not you are allowed a spot on the riser. Shooting from the side is ok, if the shots are for yourself, but not if those images are for the designer or event.

[@skfineshriber]

On my MFT cameras I find AFF single focus works better than continuos AF. If you hesitate for a split second after half-pressing the shutter to let it focus, it seems to track motion pretty well after that.

[@oliviabossert]

Such good advice Jay! I shot fashion shows for a few years, and I tried to do things a bit differently too. I get so bored of seeing the up and down straight shots (although they have their uses, obviously!). Loving all your videos!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

+Olivia Bossert oh yeah they totally have their place. Thanks! Still trying to workout where my personality goes when I record them hahaha

[@ryanmcyuh]

Thank you brother!!!

[@fridaray4128]

Thank you very very much for this video and the tips you have shared!!! so useful for my first FW shoot!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Glad you found it useful

[@locoderemate]

Thank you,,,,got my 1st runway photoshoot tomorrow and you made good points here, specially the white balance detail but great video,,,thanks

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

Used his tips, got good pictures & more offers

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Congratulations 👍🏻

[@mikriollandeza]

This was so useful! I'm going for the first time to NYFW and I'm so excited! Hope to see you there

[@JayMcLaughlin]

+i Mikri Ollandeza yay!!!! I still haven't been to New York! It's one of my goals for this year! Hope you have a great time! Can't wait to see what you do there! ❤

[@raavhollywood]

Thanks this helps

[@kulushelleng7017]

It is very useful , and is my first time in the fashion week

[@brishelle1659]

Really helpful thanks so much

[@bobwearn982]

great tips . Thanks Jay

[@JayMcLaughlin]

My pleasure! Glad you found them useful ☺️

[@lrb05131963]

Thank you ,I just got a call back to shoot my first nyc fashion week ,September 2023 ,that day light white balance tip I never knew even though Fuji cameras do very well in auto while I will try that ,I will shoot alike a fashion and sport photographer cause that’s me ,that’s my portfolio how I got the call back press pass ,is there a way to sell your photos ,do you have a video on that ,cause magazine ask for pictures after 10:10

[@SilverVoxMusic]

Well done Jay. Great start to the series. Look forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing. Andrew.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

+Andrew Henning thanks Andrew. Gonna try and record the next one over the weekend as I'm hectic next week!

[@bala1000mina]

Hello Jay! Wonderful tutorial! I learnt a lot! God bless you!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@justingayle7299]

Great video Thankyou for the tips!

[@fergusgriffin2655]

super helpful !

[@vice.nor.virtue]

It's my first fashion week tomorrow here in Berlin, and this was super useful. I know about AI servo, but all of the other tips you had I had never heard before, so thanks a lot for this video!

[@vice.nor.virtue]

It's started and i want to re-thank you for the advise. The bit about looking for the end of the bench helped, and the white balance, and actually especially the part about sometimes not getting a good spot. I got relegated to a spot where I was shooting almost exactly 45 degree on from the side islelooking at the runway, and I was quite pissed off, but then i remembered your part saying that sometimes you don't get the spot you want and you just have to work with it, and I carried on shooting and even though they are side shots, a lot of them still look really cool and I ended up being much happier for sure than if i had never watched this before. Thanks a lot man!

[@chiomaolaleye8418]

Thanks Jay. Very helpful. doing fashion week for the first time tomorrow, so fingers crossed!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Let me know how you get on!

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

Doing any more vids on posting or shooting models in the streets..? Or technical side of shooting..Best Len , settings & camera.?

[@shaupicollinssweetlife4893]

thank you

[@rionmagazine5563]

Hi Jay, question for you. For first time photographers in the photographers pit. Which lens would be best to use? And which one would you recommend? Thanks.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Depends on the length of the runway, and the camera you’re using. Ideally you’ll want some sort of telephoto lens for that standard vogue.com runway shot. What camera have you got?

[@rionmagazine5563]

Jay McLaughlin Hi Jay, thanks, I’m shooting with a Canon 7D. X

[@JayMcLaughlin]

The 70-200mm f2.8 would be my choice

[@rionmagazine5563]

Oh brilliant. I have that one :) thank you. X

[@JayMcLaughlin]

No probs. Worth taking something slightly shorter as well, just in case. I always prefer to have something and not need it, rather than need something and not have it

[@OriginalOrangeJuice]

Thank you!

[@rashuneknight3939]

Do you get paid after fashion week

[@bryandavies5034]

Got my first fashion runway shoot Sunday, i usually shot portrait in a studio and OCF though i got the gist of what i need to do i'm very the nervous

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Good luck!

[@TheKopRio]

Thank you so much for your tips. It's useful for me.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

My pleasure! Glad you liked them!

[@TheKopRio]

This Saturday I will go to shoot in sharity fashion show for first time, wish me luck. Anyway thanks for your tips.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

How did it go????

[@TheKopRio]

Jay McLaughlin It's first time for me with that and it came up with worst. I can not find the perfect place to shoot with 3 Video cameras stand in the middle. I try to find many ways but with very small stage so...😖😖😖 Anyway it gone. Try with the next time. Thank you for ask.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Yeah positioning is everything in photography. Hope you have better luck next time. Don’t give up!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Hope you found these tips useful! Let me know if I left anything out or there's something specific you want some help with! :)

[@lobbyb0y426]

Hey friend!!! I just was curious as to what your preferred lens setup is both out on the runway and backstage?? Do you use primes or zooms? Monopod? I have my first fashion shoot next month and was looking for some insight. But honestly you covered a lot more then what I was expecting in your two videos. But again just was curious all the same. Cheers & Thank you

[@JayMcLaughlin]

I generally prefer primes. Usually a medium telephoto for back stage with a wide aperture to get in nice and close without being in the way. For runway I’ll have a couple of lenses depending on the type of shot I want and where I’m likely going to be sitting. Hope this helps!

[@arianasoto9707]

Hi Jay! I have my first show coming up and your advice was great! I have a decent camera, Canon 4000 d. Do you know the best lens for this camera? Ive been looking online and trying to decide. Also, I'm wondering also, as a part of the media, am I allowed to share all images in order to promote myself and the event via social media? Im new to this!

[@JayMcLaughlin]

I’d aim to get something that can shoot at at least f/2.8 so that you’re not going to have to push the iso too high to get the shutter speed you want

[@jahprince8538]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@perfectchild8073]

Great video

[@TheJohnnieMedina]

Great pointers Jay! Cheers.

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Glad you got something from it

[@kayleighgresty9540]

Loved this!! I’m shooting in the pit for the first time this week and I’m terrified 😂

[@DGLuxton]

Oh shit!I just got invited to the front row, end of runway at a show. What do I do?😮

[@TimsElectric]

Thank you so much Jay, what a fab video...here on the West Coast and I'm doing a lot more fashion shows and modelling shoots and your tips were terrific! Panning tip was brilliant, variety of shots made so much sense, and the shot at maximum stride was obvious after you said it lol .....thank you so much ...subscribed and will go and see what other videos you have :) Cheers from Victoria BC Canada :) You mentioned White Balance issues at the end and I have found shooting RAW helps me in case I get it wrong at the venue...your thoughts would be helpful...I'm guessing the issue might be buffer filling up but thought I would ask :) Cheers Tim

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Thank you! So glad you liked the tips! I shoot raw for the same white balance reasons, but most shoot jpeg, and I didn't want to get into a raw vs jpeg debate on this one! hehehe

[@TimsElectric]

Totally understand, I think Tony and Jared covered it :)

[@zz-fu9ys]

Do you use continuous focus on the model ? Or single focusing ? Thanks

[@JayMcLaughlin]

I use continuous or tracking for runway shooting. Single AF for backstage and photoshoots

[@zz-fu9ys]

Jay McLaughlin thank you so much

[@baronvonmaximillionsnell2757]

What would be a good second hand Nikon body for catwalk & fashion...A pro body...Any one ? But not a bank breaker.

[@Smooth1productions]

IT HELPS

[@peterkim7571]

Thanks

[@arbull7264]

what shutter speeds do you use?

[@JayMcLaughlin]

I usually try to go for at least 1/250 if it’s super dark. I generally aim for over 1/400 though where possible. It’s a balancing act between freezing the models, getting it in focus and not having your iso too high. A lot depends on the lighting at the time though

[@xpy1]

I shoot runway but no one wants to pay us so how do I get paid to shoot runway

[@greg.arious]

How does NO ONE talk about How to even score the opportunities for photo passes for said shows? Weird.

[@cjvpjackson9350]

THIS was so useful as I'm about to shoot runway tomorrow! thank you so much for these golden gems you've shared... I'm looking forward to following you for more info... please also keep in touch and check out my IG : instagram.com/cj_video_and_photography/?hl=en

[@JayMcLaughlin]

Let me know how you get on! Hope it all goes well!

[@stevenmeans6873]

I am shooting a high end fashion show tomorrow.i am not getting paid so why are they letting me shoot. And can u sell the images if so to who

[@r0tt1ng]

Thanks!

[@kofimillen]

Thanks a lot.