A Fall Fashion Photoshoot in Nashville with Skylar
I have a confession to make… when I first moved to Nashville, I was so, so scared!! I was leaving behind the most wonderful network of people back in New England, where I began my career as a fashion photographer, to start completely over in a city where I barely knew anyone.
As a fashion photographer, it was so daunting to be moving to a place where I didn’t yet know any makeup artists or models or agencies or even fellow photographers. I was stressed over how hard I might find it to build my new creative community here.
But luckily, it soon became very clear to me that I had nothing to be afraid of; the creative community in Nashville welcomed me with open arms, and I’m so lucky to have had the opportunity to make art with so many wildly talented people since I moved here. And this is only the beginning!
But speaking of wildly talented people… I had the best time working with model Skylar and makeup artist Amelia on this fashion photography test shoot in Nashville this fall. Keep reading to learn all about how this photoshoot came together and our experience during the fashion photoshoot, and to see all of my favorite photos from the shoot!
The Planning Process for Skylar’s Modeling Test Shoot in Nashville
In the midst of the fall season, I was feeling inspired by the colors and fashion around me. I decided I wanted to plan and photograph a fashion photoshoot in Nashville that was elevated, fall-inspired, and nature-focused, full of earthy colors and textures that captured the mood of the season. As the Nashville fashion market tends to lean toward the commercial side, we would make sure to keep the photos light and fun, while still focusing on creating an overall editorial feel.
Before the photoshoot, I created a moodboard to show the types of images I wanted to take and the vibes we would aim to create at the photoshoot. I love to do this before fashion photoshoots to make sure to whole team is aligned, and to inspire the kinds of shots I want to capture at the photoshoot itself. I also put together a call sheet for our team outlining the wardrobe, timeline, and all other important details for the shoot day. And before I knew it, the photoshoot day was here!
I was lucky enough to work with one of my favorite Nashville makeup artists, Amelia Fusco, who created a gorgeous soft glam look on Skylar, our model for the day. Working with the right makeup artist can really elevate any photoshoot; not only does it help the model feel more confident, but it makes the editing process easier on my side when the skin is already looking picture-perfect!
Skylar’s Fashion Photoshoot in Nashville
We could not have gotten better weather on the afternoon of our fashion photoshoot. It was warm enough in Nashville that we were happy to be outside, but not warm enough that Skylar was uncomfortable shooting in a jacket and sweater for some of our fall looks. I knew we would have an amazing golden hour to play around with, too, and indeed we did!
When I arrived at our outdoor location (one of my favorite parks just outside the city), I knew we had hit the jackpot. I immediately felt so inspired by the greenery around us, and elements of the park like fences and barns that I knew we could play around with during the photoshoot.
As we began shooting, I focused on highlighting Skylar’s unique look and features through photography, capturing a mix of close-up and full-body photos that were both serious and fun.
We were able to shoot three different looks for her fashion photoshoot, and I’ll share my favorites and a little bit about each set below!!
Look One: Fall-Inspired Photos from a Nashville Fashion Photographer
Our first outfit featured this fun red jacket that Skylar brought, which perfectly fit the fall vibes we were going for at this fashion photoshoot.
We also shot some photos without the jacket to get the most out of this look, and I love how the simplicity of the black turtleneck really highlights Skylar’s beautiful facial features and posing.
Look Two: Fall Vibes at Skylar’s Nashville Fashion Photoshoot
The second look we shot, featuring a green sweater and some fun maroon boots, really leaned into the fall inspiration. The sweater was giving cozy vibes, and I love how these colors match the location so well.
I loved playing around with some fun poses during this part of the fashion photoshoot, and I’m so happy Skylar was down to lay on the grass for these ones!! I feel like I can totally see these photos on the cover of a fall fashion catalog… just saying 😉
Look Three: Playing with Direct Sun at the Test Shoot
For our last look, I knew I wanted to capture some shots playing around in direct sun for a different vibe than the rest of the photos. And I love how these ones came out! The harsh light looks amazing on Skylar’s face, and really works with these edgy, moody fashion photoshoot poses.
I could not be happier with the end results from this fashion photoshoot. As a Nashville fashion photographer, it’s the most rewarding feeling to go from concept to execution and be proud of the results you created. I am so grateful to Skylar, the model, and Amelia, the makeup artist, for their amazing work on this Nashville fashion photoshoot!
The Benefits of a Fashion Photography Test Shoot in Nashville
I love doing fashion photography test shoots in Nashville, just like this one I planned with Skylar. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, test shoots are portfolio-building photoshoots meant to “test” how a model does on camera and how they photograph—hence the name.
Test shoots are super important for new models who are developing their portfolios, or any model looking to continue building their book, improving in front of the camera, and/or moving into a new market.
Test shoots are valuable for models because they:
Help build a professional portfolio
Give the model valuable experience in working with a photographer and team, without all the pressure of something like a campaign or a brand photoshoot
Offer networking opportunities and the chance to build industry connections
And more!!
And Nashville is the perfect city for your fashion photography test shoot. Why Nashvile, you ask? Well, first of all, Nashville has such a vibrant creative community with amazing fashion photographers (like yours truly 😉), makeup artists, stylists, and more. It’s the perfect place to bring a photoshoot from concept to final product with a talented team.
This city also has so many amazing location options for your photoshoot; there are incredible outdoor locations like where we took the photos for Skylar’s shoot, but also so many awesome photography studios if you prefer an indoor location or a backdrop. (If you’re looking for a studio to rent, check out my list of my favorite Nashville photo studios!
Skylar’s photos are the perfect example of why you should plan your test shoot in Nashville—I mean, just look how her photos came out!!
About Kayla Simon Photos, Nashville Fashion Photographer
If you’re new here… hi, I’m Kayla, a fashion photographer based in Nashville! I focus on creating intentional, editorial photos for both people & brands, and I especially love working with models to build their books or with brands looking for updated fashion photos.
If you’re looking for a fashion photographer to bring your vision to life, I’d love to connect! Take a look at my fashion portfolio (not to brag, but I’m pretty proud of it) and feel free to reach out with any questions or to book your photoshoot!
