OK, so am I a fashion photographer?  Eh, no.

The reason I broach the question is because it came up in one of the forums I frequent.  I’ll recap it here.

Question Posed on Forum

So anyway, I did a boudoir shoot recently, it was my first and everyone who comments says that is is like a “Fashion” shoot.  My question, I suppose, would be, hows that?  Because of how she posed? what she wore? My exposures??? what?

I think too many people get hung up on trying to define an image by classifying it and I think that puts photographers in a strange position. Do you shoot portraits, fine art, product, commercial, fashion, sports, events, weddings, journalism? …ad nauseum. It’s tough to answer sometimes because what we shoot is seen differently depending on how it’s used. Maybe that’s part of it: how it’s viewed and in what context. I think this is why one person may look at a really unusual bridal shot and declare it fashionable whereas another may see it as simply photojournalism.

For me, fashion is more than photography because it extends beyond the captured image. Notice, I didn’t say “transcend”; that would be too shallow. I think fashion is a conscious approach to one’s style and outlook on life. Coco Chanel was famously quoted as saying, “I don’t do fashion. I am fashion!” There is some well-placed narcissism there, deservedly so if one is to claim themselves fashionable. Fashion photography, then, may just be a medium for making a statement about fashion; sort of a commentary about itself. It says, “Here I am,” almost art for art’s sake.

Incidentally, if you want more quotable fashionistas, seek help here.