Fashion television and fashion discussion groups on the Internet are consistently increasing in popularity. Other opportunities for writers involve penning the copy for store or mail-order house catalogs. In addition to the ever-present editors, the media world includes staff and freelance writers, varying degrees of managing editors, copywriters, production specialists, graphic artists, and photographers. Photographers work closely with editors either through assignments or submission of their photos. Their careers run the gamut of photographing major fashion events for top publications, to doing studio or on-location portraits of models, to creating a modeling prospect's composites.
Fashion Journalists
Fashion journalists cover a wide range of topics, such as apparel, accessories, cosmetics, and fragrances. Today, all publishing activity is done on computers, so word processing and desktop publishing skills are a must. Journalists write under constant deadline pressure in a competitive world, where hot stories and cool trends are typically old hat in just about a month. Therefore, these sharp individuals must forever think of fresh story ideas and pursue angles that will hold the public's interest.
Most writers would agree that there is a highly charged feel to this massive industry, where they attend fashion shows around the world, interview famous designers and models, and report on colorful promotional events and new products.
Editors typically plan their publications and assign stories to key reporters. They oversee production and edit articles as they come in. But, because they can make or break a designer, these editors also know their advantageous place in the fashion "food chain." They are often aloof, eccentric, and powerful people, who have paid their dues as proofreaders, copywriters, and assistant editors.
Often an effective fashion editor is someone who has worked extensively in the fashion business, but happens to have a degree and experience in journalism. Fashion editors generally work in New York at well-established magazines or daily newspapers, although there are a number of regional publications that have just as high an impact on designers.
With the addition of more channels on cable television, fashion has moved quite seamlessly to the airwaves. Jobs are now available in television production and scriptwriting for numerous style-related programs.
For example, VH1 has a weekly show called "Fashion TV" which airs Friday through Sunday, featuring catwalk segments and behind-the-scenes interviews with designers, fashion writers, photographers, and models. MTV has its own weekly show, "The Goods," which highlights works by well-known designers and offers them for sale- a cross between a hip fashion show and the "Home Shopping Network." CNN presents a fashion show, called "Style," that airs on weekends. There also exists a series of cable programs titled "Fashion and Style Channel," "Fashion and Design Channel" and "Fashion and Beauty Channel."
Catalog Copywriters
Employed either full-time for a company, or on a freelance basis, copywriters produce advertising copy for use by store or mail-order house catalogs to promote the sale of goods and services. Unlike journalists, copywriters have long lead times and don't experience such a hectic deadline crunch. Nor are they required to be aggressive or competitive. Copywriters are recruited for their ability to write sharp, concise prose that not only describes a garment or accessory, but also prompts the consumer to buy it.
Copywriters work regular hours, with some flexibility, and can also transfer their writing skills to advertising agencies that work with fashion-related accounts. As the Internet gains momentum as a proven means of promoting fashion, many writers are gearing up to write in cyberspace in the growing world of on-line product descriptions.
Fashion Photographers
Fashion photography is very similar to journalism, with most photographers sending their pictures to magazines and newspapers. Fashion photographers work in the same lightning-paced environment as journalists, often vying for the best vantage points at big, international fashion shows. They spend long hours setting up photo shoots and working with models in a studio or on location, as well as developing their own film.
The competitive nature of fashion photographers' business usually drives them to perform better. They are able to travel to glamorous places around the globe with professional models in tow. Their photos are viewed by fashion aficionados worldwide. But they are under constant pressure, especially when it comes to deadlines; work odd hours; and maintain a brutally hectic pace. You really have to love the excitement and adventure to stick with this glitzy but harrowing profession.
Getting Off to a Good Start: Fashion Journalists
One of the most enlightening places to start preparing for a career in fashion writing is at an area newsstand or bookstore. Scan the vast array of fashion-related publications to get a feel for editorial style and content. Then subscribe to those magazines that most interest you, and continue to study them and learn key fashion phrases and buzzwords. Keep a file of some of the best-written articles.
Balance your high school curriculum with journalism, English literature, creative writing, and textile (home economics) classes. In order to write proficiently about clothes and accessories, you need to know how they are made. Working at a boutique or department store will enhance your knowledge of the retail world. Join the staff of your school's newspaper or yearbook to get firsthand practice at reporting, working under deadline pressure and, most importantly, writing.
Getting Off to a Good Start: Catalog Copywriters
As an aspiring catalog copywriter, your curriculum should reflect the same types of courses taken by aspiring fashion journalists. Add to your fashion magazine collection the countless catalogs and mail-order brochures posted your way in order to mold your writing into a concise, promotional style.
Familiarize yourself through research with the fashion industry. You do not, however, have to have a fashion design education. Being able to write effective copy is your most important asset. Therefore, work for your school's publications, along with part-time employment at a local newspaper. If you work in an office, practice writing correspondence, flyers, and other publicity-related materials in order to prepare for the highly specialized writing you plan to do.
If you enjoy both journalism and copywriting, pursue both by ultimately freelancing for publications and catalog companies. Remember that freelance writers must spend years building up a reputation through comprehensive portfolios, whose writings reflect numerous styles. Consistently and actively promote yourself because, in this case, your pay matches the amount of copy you write. Unlike staff writers, a freelancer cannot rely on a steady paycheck. Yet the freedom and ability to earn large sums in the long run are very appealing incentives.
Getting Off to a Good Start: Fashion Photographers
The first thing you want to do if you intend to become a fashion photographer is buy a camera that you can carry around as often as possible. This way, if a terrific photo opportunity occurs, you will be ready to capture it. Although photographing models is a specialized industry niche, it is important for you to master the art and technique of photography before focusing on a specific subject.
Hook up with an established photographer who can serve as your mentor, or work at a one-hour photo developing center. Get accustomed to the myriad styles of cameras, lenses, attachments, and lighting equipment. Take a photography course or workshop, and subscribe to photo trade magazines. Join a photography club that would allow you to go on group photo excursions. Also take photos for your school's newspaper and yearbook.
Then, if fashion is your calling, collect some of the most stunning photographs from style publications. If you can't find a photographer willing to teach you the trade at his or her studio, seek employment at an advertising or public relations agency that has fashion accounts. Or pursue employment at a large design firm, where you work exclusively with designers and the models they select to best show off their creations.
Educational Requirements: Fashion Journalists and Catalog Copywriters
Although fashion is your focus, the journalism profession requires a liberal arts college degree in communication, journalism, or English. By also bringing to your resume experience in the retail or wholesale style fields, you increase your chances of breaking into some of the Big League New York fashion publications. As a writer and/or editor, you must be able to express ideas clearly and logically. Mastery of electronic publishing, graphics, and video production equipment is essential.
Because many editorial offices are arranged in cubicles, where phones ring constantly and other reporters conduct interviews surrounded by the sounds of faxes and computer printers, you must be able to concentrate amid confusion and to produce under extreme pressure.
Editors should display sound judgment in deciding what story ideas to accept and to reject. They should also display a balanced ability to guide and encourage others in their work.
A very popular, and effective, option available to college journalism students is the internship experience at magazines, newspapers, and broadcast stations. These programs run in conjunction with college courses and offer credit toward a degree, combined with very practical experience that can lead to a full-time job. Some internship also pays. You will work alongside experienced professionals, who can guide you in writing short articles, doing research, and conducting interviews.
Because catalog copywriters follow similar paths as journalists, the educational requirements are basically the same, with emphasis on writing-based liberal arts courses.
Educational Requirements: Fashion Photographers
Many entry-level jobs in photography ask for little formal preparation. However, those in photojournalism generally require a college degree in photography. Employers seek applicants with technical understanding of the field and personal qualities such as imagination, creativity, and willingness to take risks.
Commercial photographers must continually foster original ideas, and portrait photographers must have a natural knack for helping people relax in front of the camera. Photojournalists must understand the story behind an event so that their pictures match the story.
Completing an internship for a newspaper or magazine is an excellent way to gain experience and entry into this tight-knit field.
Many photographers choose to open their own studios which add a business dimension to their educational requirements. If you want to go it alone, you will need to know how to bid for and write contracts, hire and direct models, acquire permission to use photographs of people, price photos, and keep financial records. Some self-employed photographers try to enter the fashion world by submitting unsolicited photos to magazines with the long-term goal of contracting with them to shoot photos to accompany articles.
Looking for a ]ob in Fashion Writing
As discussed earlier, internships with magazines and newspapers are one of the most promising job-search tactics for fashion writers, providing much-needed experience while allowing for not-so-weighty trial and error. Other techniques involve joining a journalism club that regularly invites professionals to speak at its functions. Get to know these professionals. Send them a resume and writing sample. Be persistent.
Before venturing into the ultra-competitive high-fashion publishing arena, get your start as a copywriter or assistant editor at a trade or consumer magazine. Meanwhile, network at fashion events- especially trade shows where publications sponsor booths-and collect editors' business cards. Learn when they are off deadline and call to introduce you. Then send them information about yourself and follow it up with another call.
If you are determined enough, and happen to be a fabulous writer, editors will most likely appreciate your moxy. On the other hand, if no one asks you to come in for an interview for a staff position, go out and get your own stories, which you can try selling, as a freelancer, to these same types of publications. That's another effective way of getting, if not your foot, at least your pen in the door.
Catalog copywriters should pursue similar, albeit less aggressive, routes by sending writing clips to advertising agencies that work with brochure and publicity writers. Through word-of-mouth and industry contacts, they can progress to the fashion industry, writing copy for department stores, specialty boutiques, and major manufacturers.
Looking for a Job in Fashion Photography
Besides working with a photographer-mentor or at a photo developing center, you can send out more job-search antennae by joining an active photography club or related organization. The National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) is dedicated to the advancement of photojournalism-a category that includes fashion shoots. Members include still and television photographers, editors, students, and representatives of businesses that serve the photojournalism industry.
In addition to sponsoring educational events and workshops, the NPPA offers members a Job Information Bank updated weekly on CompuServe, PressLink and a dedicated Internet list, as well as the monthly News Photographer magazine. If you are on-line, you can gain fingertip access to numerous job sources around the world.
As part of a professional organization, you will also get your name out and make contacts that will help you land a job. If fashion is where you want to be, make it a point to know which designers to approach and the most career-boosting parties to attend.
Salary and Success Outlook: Fashion Journalists and Catalog Copywriters
Salaries for fashion and catalog copywriters basically follow the scale for journalists in other areas of specialization. According to the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, beginning salaries for writers and editorial assistants average $20,000 annually. Those with at least five years' experience average more than $30,000, and senior editors at the largest newspapers earn over $60,000 a year. Perks include paid travel expenses, discounts on clothes and other fashion items, and hefty room for growth.
Through the year 2005, the outlook for most writing and editing jobs is expected to remain competitive. Employment of salaried writers and editors is predicted to increase with growing demand for their publications. A new area opening up is writing for on-line publications. These computer-based magazines can be found on the Internet, and are replete with in-depth articles accompanied by full-color photographs and illustrations.
Due to the high cost of paper, many catalog companies are also transferring their products and descriptions to on-line information routes.
Salary and Success Outlook for Fashion Photographers
The median annual earnings for full-time salaried photographers are about $22,000, with high salaries in the $50,000-a-year range. Many fashion photographers are self-employed, so their earnings fluctuate. Overall, they earn less than salaried employees, and their pay is affected by the number of hours they work, economic conditions, and their self-promotional abilities. Their biggest perks are travel and freedom to work outside the confines of an office.
Although employment of photographers is expected to grow through the year 2005, aspiring shutterbugs outweigh the jobs available. Therefore, only the most skilled and those with the best business ability are able to find salaried positions, or attract enough work to support themselves as self-employed photographers. You may want to gain an edge by working with digital cameras, which use electronic memory rather than a film negative to record the image. As technology improves, digital technology is expected to be used more in the future.
