So I went to a runway fashion show and I have a lots to share.
Why?
Up until this moment, I specialise in event photography and videography. But throughout this year, I got to see more fashion photographers on Instagram, and that got me thinking, " I think I like fashion photography. Maybe I should try it." because for the longest time, I've always loved fashion. I like how fashion makes people feel.
I started joining local fashion Facebook groups. And then saw a post about a fashion show is giving away free media passes to whoever is interested in shooting a run fashion show. This post came at a perfect timing so I emailed right away and request for a media pass for the show and I got it!
About the Show
The show is called "The Graduates 2023" organised by Northern Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE) Fashion and Textile Department to show case the final project/collection of the 2023 graduates. The show took place at Liberty Cinema in Perth CBD. Honestly I had no idea that place existed until I went there. It was so hidden, I'm pretty sure they didn't even have signs. The venue was super cool with visualisers projected onto the wall.
Honestly I didn't know what to expect from the show, because they have different venues every year so I wouldn't be able to do much research on the location itself. However, I did watch som videos on how to shoot fashion shows, specifically what do people usually look for in the fashion show photos. From what I see, some fashion houses actually don't allow flash, but NMTAFE encouraged photographers to use flash.
When I reached the venue, I was greeted by the staff from NMTAFE, they then gave me the media pass and showed me the way to the area where all photographers and videographers are standing. At that time, I already knew we would have a designated spot, but I was surprised by how small the area could be. We were told to the stand at the end of the runway inside the taped rectangle which was pretty small. We were told to leave a smaller rectangle within the rectangle for the official photographer and videographer, so they could have the best spot. Honestly, I had no idea how that small rectangle could fit 15 people holder their cameras and all their gear.
Mid-Century Modern by Zoe Abercromby
During the Show
The show began, and the models for Chadwick Models Academy wearing the collection pieces started walking out. They were all walking to the beat of the music. I was really impressed by the designs and was in our cause I can see the amount of effort these graduates put into their final work. While I was appreciating the pieces, lots of flashes were firing, so I began to take photos as well. It took me some time to adjust the composition and the lighting because I didn’t know how close they’d come towards us. And with the ceiling so high I wasn’t really sure how much flash I should use. So kept playing with the settings.
Recess by Kim Tran
Recess by Kim Tran
Ocean Mirage by Monique Thompson
An Unsquare Dance by Joshua De Rossi
Challenges
Even though I enjoyed the show a lot, there were quite a few challenges when I was capturing the show. The first thing was this pole (see examples above). I couldn't move the pole because that was the speaker and we obviously couldn't move that. So I have to move around to avoid the pole. If you can see, that didn't work. I tried zooming in even more, but then you can really see full piece of the garment. Another thing that was challenging was that all the models go in a different pace. Supposedly, the models would walk til the end of the runway, pause a bit for the photographers to take photos then turn around. I think some of the models forgot, so they didn't give us much time to snap the pic. And if you missed it, you missed it. Luckily the models would come out again to show the whole collection, it's' only until then I could take the photo the piece again. Stressful, I know.
What I learned
This experience taught me so much about adaptability and patience. I realised that runway photography isn’t just about capturing clothes—it’s about telling a story. From working in a tight space with limited movement to adjusting my camera settings on the fly, I learned how to think quickly and creatively under pressure. Most importantly, I discovered how much preparation and teamwork goes into showcasing these collections. It gave me a newfound appreciation for both the designers and the models. This shoot was a challenge, but it also reaffirmed my love for photography and my desire to explore fashion photography further.
