HOW TO BE A PRO AT YOUR FIRST FW

Want to seem like you know what you’re doing at LFW? So did I. This is a blog entry from London Fashion Week. Although it’s incredibly exciting I know how it can also be terrifying. These are just a few tips to keep you sane and to blend you in with all of the madness.

Every FW Photographer I have spoken to advised me to act as if you’ve been working in the industry for years. So, if security ask you who are BLAG! Blag blag blag. For my first fashion show in London I told them I was working for a PR. If you can get in contact with a PR agency before LFW then that would be even better. That way you will know more about the agency (e.g. names, contacts, clients) which will make your blagging even more believable! Obviously if you can get tickets through contacting a PR then that would be an easier option but if you can’t then give it a go! You won’t be the first or the last person to get into a show that way.

A tip along side blagging your way in is to act offended if they say you aren’t on the list or they don’t know your name. Make them think you’re important. It may seem harsh but some people on the door will believe they’ve made a mistake and let you in. Be professional about it though… don’t wave your hands in the air and shout at them. They can see right through the naive.

Think about what the professionals will be wearing. It’s LFW and people will be dressed in all sorts of new and exciting trends but you have to train yourself to dress professionally. Every Photographer I have seen and talked to at London Fashion Week is wearing comfortable, dark and sensible clothing. I found that dressing like a pro makes you feel like a pro. Sounds rather sad but honestly just try it!

One of the main elements of being at LFW is to be at the shows 1 or 2 hours early. Firstly, by leaving to get there early you are able to take your time which will reduce the stress of travelling. Secondly, you will need time to set up and practice before the show actually begins. I found it useful to set up the settings on my DSLR about half an hour before the show as it gave me time to practice some shots and to be prepared for any problems I may come across (e.g. lack of lighting or memory shortage).

It may seem obvious but when you travel know where you’re going! Not just the tube or bus route but also the directions on foot. It never hurts to be overly prepared. Understandably you aren’t going to know every single detail of your journey but landmarks are not hard to spot in London (especially tourist attractions). Make a small list of notes or directions on your phone just to give you a helpful nudge.

Memorise your heroes faces. It may seem stupid and you’re probably thinking ‘I don’t need to do that! I know exactly what they look like from Twitter and Instagram’… believe me there is nothing worse than having a chance to photograph someone you recognise and forgetting who they are. Believe it or not the majority of the people you look up to on social media do not look the same in real life as they do in selfies. It’s the same as seeing your old school friends on Facebook; most of them edit their photos. The only difference is that your Facebook friends do it themselves. Try and find a photograph captured recently by the press.

Lastly and most importantly – whilst you’re at the shows HAVE FUN. Don’t let yourself worry about whether the shots are good enough or whether people notice you aren’t supposed to be there! As soon as you get in then just take a deep breath and live in the moment. I understand it’s ridiculously intimidating that your icons are just casually dotted around the room minding their own business. Just remember that if you have got in then you belong there and you fit in! They would never have let you in if they didn’t want you there!

Keep your eyes peeled for updates on LFW 2016.