The Secret Life Of A Fashion & Celebrity Photographer
Imagine that your office is a fashion show runway. Your work assignments typically go by one name (RPattz, Gisele, Brangelina), and if disagreements with your colleagues turn physical, well... hardly anyone bats an eye. Sound surreal? If you're a successful celebrity and fashion photographer like Getty Images' Frazer Harrison, it's all in a day's work. The world of celebrity and fashion photography is a rough-and-tumble one -- a Wild West of cameras, competition, and confrontation that is not at all for the weak of will. "Everyday is a challenge," shares Harrison. "You battle everything from Los Angeles traffic to overzealous security to your equipment. You're worried about lighting, your position on the line or the runway. So many things can go wrong and it's up to me alone to make sure that I limit the fail rate." With such a pressure-filled job that hundreds of other photogs are doing anyway, why is it worth the stress? "Any working or amateur photographer will tell you: it's when you see a particular picture published. Front pages are always a satisfying feeling. And really, no two days are the same, which is why after all this time it is still fresh and fun to do." With over 25 years in the business covering fashion week shows, red carpet events, and celebrity news, Harrison would certainly know, and has stories to burn. His most memorable moments include everything from covering Michael Jackson's infamous trial to an impromptu photo session with Paul McCartney to getting unprompted career advice from a certain "Jerry Maguire" star, who punctuated her speech with, "'Oh, by the way, my name's Renee." As far as equipment, Harrison prefers a Nikon D3 camera, and his trick to getting the best shots is: "If you saw it [happen away from the viewfinder], you probably didn't get it. Concentrate, stay focused on what's happening around you, and try to predict what's going to happen before it does. And add to that a bit of luck." And what advice does the seasoned photog have for us everyday point-and-shooters? "Those mug shots of celebrities after they've been arrested? They are what you don€™t want! Generally speaking, there are numerous things you can do to improve your chances of taking a good pic." Read on for tips on how to hone your own camera skills, then check the slideshow to see some examples of Frazer's best work!
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