5 Vintage Photo Ideas

Published by hexfire on March 12, 2008

If you’re looking to try something unique as a model or photographer, look no further then a vintage look. Photographers love the vintage look because it can be combined with modern fashion to create something really interesting visually, as well as provoking a nostalgic feel. As a model, it provides greater creative scope to be able to choose from a larger variety of clothing.

Photographers can cross process finished files to get a fantastic look. This tutorial on cross processing is a great place to start if you’ve never tried it before. I won’t go into too much detail here as the tutorial can explain the cross processing technique better, but suffice it to say that tweaking certain color channels will produce a vivid interesting look that works great with vintage clothing.

As a photographer, I’m always on the look out for shops that are inexpensive and can provide me with quick service for my next shoot. I’ve listed three of the shops that I use consistently to get great vintage clothing for photo sessions.

Five Ideas For Photographers & Vintage Clothing:

1) Take your model in a vintage outfit and put them in a very modern and urban environment. The stark contrasts between a more nature friendly culture of vintage apparel versus the ultra modern starkness would be a great contrast for a shoot.

2) Use your model connections to take product shots for clothing stores offering sales on the internet. Most stores do not have the resources to complete this type of project, and do it well. Offer a store your services for trade in apparel or a steep discount. Its a great way to promote your work, as well as gain some apparel for your studio wardrobe.

3) Create a small niche business in your home town that shoots vintage portraits for the baby boomer generation. Theres a ton of them out there, carve out your own section of wealth from it.

4) Shop vintage stores for great deals in order to have a decent wardrobe on site for models to pick from. We’ve all had the models that show up with no outfits!

5) Mix new age fashion with vintage apparel to create a unique multi era look, framed by a dull and metallic backdrop to make the look pop off.

The shops below are ones I frequent often for great deals on vintage clothing. I highly recommend them for any model or photographer looking to get some good vintage apparel.