Fashion photographer Philippe Maurice has shot for marquee brands like Elle and Calvin Klein but as he tells Indy Mogul, fashion photography was more of a necessity than an aspiration. Maurice had been running the marketing for his family’s tourism business in Egypt until the upheaval of the Arab Spring crashed the market for tourism.

As career pivots go, Maurice made a very successful transition into photography, building an enviable portfolio that includes both still and motion work. In his talk with Indy Mogul, he shares some insights into the importance of people over gear and runs through some of his go-to lighting setups.

Key takeaways:

* The model matters. If the model isn’t feeling it, it won’t matter what gear you’re shooting with.
* Invest in people, not in gear. That means allocating resources to hair and makeup artists and models. (Don’t miss our piece on how to build solid relationships with beauty teams.)
* Work with people who are better than you since they will push you to new heights.
* Hard lighting is the preferred option for fashion, particularly when you need to boost contrast and emphasize details such as clothing and jewelry. A metal beauty dish with no diffusion and LED wands are great tools for that purpose.

Don’t Miss: How to Create Luxury Beauty Photos Anywhere on a Budget

** Shop All the NAB 2019 Show Specials **