Expert: Don Wood - 9/21/2008

Question
Hi, im doing a school project and need to interview someone with the same career as my choice.I have chosen to be a fashion photographer.It would be a HUGE help if you could simply answer a few question to help me with my assinment.
thanks.

1.How many years have you been involed in your job?
2.what are the things you enjoy the most about your job?
3.What made you decide to do your current job?
4.What are the most important skills required for your job and why?
5.What qualifictions are necssary for your job and are there other qualifications needed to advance in your job?
6.What advice would you give a student in my situation who is interested in pursuing a career like yours?
7.What are some common tasks involed in your job?
8.What knowledge and skills would i need for this job?
9.What personal qualities and physical characteristics are need for this job?
10.Would i have contact with people in this job?
11.what kind of places would i get to travel too?
12.what kind of hours are given to fashion photographers?
13.what subjects would i need to take in year 11,12 and 13?
14.What subjects will i need to take for future studies?
15.What training is recommended?
16.What other skills would i need?and why?

Answer
I have been in photography as an amateur and professional for more than 35 years.
Fashion photography utilizes many of the same skills as a portrait photographer. You're working with people so you need to have good people skills, the ability to communicate with whoever you're photographing and the company that is using your skills. I always recommend that a new photographer get as much training as possible in the area of photography and the production of the pictures and take several courses in business as well. You will need to develop your photographic eyes, the ability to spot the best angle, the best type of exposure, the best shutter speed. You will do this by looking at books with fine art and/or photography. How would you duplicate the artist's work? Learn the basics so that you will not try to do a procedure that will not nor hasn't worked in the past.
You will be dealing with many people, the model, the art director, the person hiring you to take the pictures. People skills are important. You will go to where your shoot takes you, sometimes it might be in locations far away from your home base. You would not get to pick the location, the client would do that, they might ask for suggestions but theirs is the final sayso. As to when you would be working, this again is up to the art director and the client, not to you at your convenience. Obviously you need to have ordinary health and physical stamina to do the job. The sky is the limit on your earning ability. It's hard to put a dollar amount. You might get hooked up with an advertising house in which case you may receive a set amount for your work. You may be on your own if which case what you earn is up to you and the amount of work you get.
Good luck to you, if I have left out something, please use this forum to ask for clarification.