Top Photographer Nigel Barker’s 10 Tips for Shooting Fashion Week

I have been participating and attending New York Fashion Week for 20 years, here are my tips for success and surviving the most glamorous obstacle course in the world.

1. Get in shape, NYFW is a grueling week of non stop shows, parties, meetings and business. Sounds like nothing but it’s actually like an ultra marathon. I prepare by getting plenty of sleep in advance working out regularly, concentrating on shoulder exercises to prepare for the onslaught of #selfies.

2. Once you get your fashion week schedule together work out where you will be going to eat and hang out in between shows, there’s nothing worse than being stuck with no where to go and nothing to eat.

3. Try to get backstage access, so much of the fun and atmosphere that encapsulates NYFW happens backstage, it’s where the magic happens and where the heart beat of the designer can be felt pre-show.

4. Get your exposure right! I set my camera to F5.6 at 1/250 at 800 ISO and quickly take a shot as the lights go up of the first model as she hits the runway. I then preview the image and make adjustments on the fly to get the right exposure.

5. Some of the best and most candid shots happen as everybody is filing into their seats. This is also an extremely low light situation, I prefer to use lite panels versus flash to help keep the moody environment but it requires having a second set of hands.

6. As you are on your feet for almost 18 hours a day I recommend getting a few pairs of cool sneakers (#boxfresh) to wear instead of hard soled leather shoes.

7. Do your homework and research the shows you are going to attend. Knowledge is power and knowing what you are getting yourself into and what you are about to witness will help you prepare.

8. I only shoot a the 24-70mm lens as it’s the most versatile and it brings you closer to the models, which makes viewers of your images feel like they are actually there at the show.

9. Standard photos of the shows are always full looks shot head to toe, be different and capture movement and atmosphere in your shots to help differentiate your images from the masses. Think close-ups and extra wide atmospheric images.

10. Bring someone with you for one of the shows who has never been to NYFW, experiencing the shows through their eyes helps remind you what’s important and exciting, it’s easy to forget and get jaded.