There are many paths to becoming a photographer.  The most common are attending a great photography school and assisting other photographers to learn the trade.  The path that I chose was going to Milan Italy.  Milan is one of the fashion capitals of the world and the Italians have been doing great design a lot longer than most people on the earth.  This combination creates a unique environment of creativity for the fashion photographer.   Italian Vogue is considered the premier fashion magazine. 

I went to Milan in 1995 and stayed for 1-1/2 years.    Milan was a great place for me to learn and develop as a photographer.  I believe my time there was crucial to my development. When I first arrived I’d only been shooting for a short time I really wasn’t ready to be cast into the big world of fashion but, ignorance is bliss.  I believe that if you wait to you’re ready, you’ll never accomplish the things you need to.

If you’re thinking of going to Milan here’s the scoop.

First decide that you are going.  What you say.  I don’t know anyone in Milan, how am I going to find a place to stay?  How do I start shooting?  Who do I shoot for?  And all the other unanswered questions… Once you decide it will be a big part of your life.  You’ll meet other photographers and models who have already been there or are also planning on going.  You’ll start networking and before you know it all those questions will answer themselves.  Of course you’ll need to save a little cash as well.

After you get there the most common starting point is to shoot for the modeling agencies.  This is great practice.  The agencies in Milan expect your models tests to look like an editorial in a magazine.  This will push you to develop as a photographer.  If you stay there long enough you can start to shoot for some of the local magazines and move up from there.  No matter how far you go, the experience will be one you can only get there.  So if you’re thinking of going…just do it! Ciao