You been watching ‘The Double Life of Veronique’?

Softboxes always seemed to be warm in the 90s, they’re so white these days.

I just associate it with Ms Markle, she’s a controversial figure and one of the famous who are just known by one name. I’d want to avoid any sort of association with her and her lawyers.

Blurb do a great selection of options for these types of projects. Not the cheapest but good quality.

Yes you can do this. The only issue is at a portfolio showing to a client and if they say “was this a job for Hugo Boss” you obviously can’t say yes. You would say its a test shoot. I actually got a job with a fashion brand by doing this, i got some high end clothing / footwear from some friends shot it on various backgrounds at home to fill out my portfolio with more product images - so it can work!

Unfortunately professional photography needs a certain amount of resources and a bare minimum spend for acceptable results. I use the Godox AD 200 & 300s and for me producing outdoor portraits/ features the AD300 is the minimum power needed with mods / softboxes on. The AD200s are quite good for back lightng help and useful as a 2nd/3rd light. A few years earlier there was less choice and you’d be buying Profoto heads at x3 the price. So look on it that the Godoxs are extremely good value for money!

Gross oversimplification but theres a few paths - assist and then eventually start shooting. Staff position. Self employed. or mix and match.

Assisting and staff - equipment is provided.

Self employed you’ll need to buy everything you need.

No such thing as best, the correct equipment for the job is the important thing.

Sorry but the reason i’m a photographer is that i want to produce great images and be a creative person. Wanting nice cars is fine but they’re not the reason you want to get into photography.

Phone up local commercial studios see if they have any freelance assisting roles. You would learn alot doing this as well.

I would think its less about your photo skills and more about connections with rich families / influencers and being known for Press / PR / fashion links with syndication knowledge that can provide maximum coverage. I’m sure some want a different arrangement- very discreet service where confidentially is key. I think this is going to be a difficult market to crack, as any positions are going to be word of mouth through press / pr channels.

It looks a bit like Fred Herzog’s work stylewise, he was mainly a colour photographer but shot some work in B&W.

Yes forgot to say there are studios i work in that photographers are using different cameras systems - Nikon, Canon, Sony, Phase One etc and Capture One works well with all of them, just plug in and shoot.

Every studio i’ve worked in tethers to Capture One software. Usually 2 screens one has the viewer (just present image) and the other pallettes / tools. Most of the adjustments image wise are handled here with only minor Photoshop work at the end of the day. The only time i don’t tether is some location jobs, last week i was shooting boats on sea so thats to card!

I would really suggest either working as a photographer / staff for an NGO first, it’ll be paid experience, gaining valuable local knowledge. An NGO / Not For Profit is still a ‘business’ and dealing with bureaucracy / money / business can be complex in your own country let alone on other continents.

I find it slightly confusing what you want to do. Usually photographers who shoot for NGOs are serious documentary photographers and not really wanting to do quirky fashion shoots with the locals. NGO photographers are interested in travel work and that in some way is part of the brief. You seem to want to cover quite a few areas, that in itself isn’t bad (i like the ambition!) but i think you really need to nail down your intentions and aims for any trip.

You could get a fixer in that location to help you with projects like this. A local stylist may be able to help you as well.