Models showcase elegant gowns on a red carpet runway at a glamorous fashion show event.

What I learned, felt and captured at my first fashion show. 


It’s taken me quite a while to sit down and write this blog post.


The fashion show I’m about to talk about actually happened at the beginning of June 2025. Still, between editing, processing the experience and being swept up in everything else that’s come my way, this blog post kept getting pushed down my very long list of tasks. Maybe that's not such a bad thing. Now that I've had time to reflect, I can really appreciate what that moment meant to me.


There’s a quiet kind of tension before a fashion show, not the chaotic buzz you might imagine, but something more controlled. The venue was carpeted, which softened the sound of movement, and all the styling and preparation took place entirely out of sight. There were no walk-throughs, no peaks behind the curtain, just a DJ filling the space with steady beats while a few guests and we photographers waited for the show to begin.


Then there was me, camera in hand, nerves bubbling under the surface, sitting on the edge of it all, about to photograph my very first fashion.


Apart from loving fashion photography overall, shooting runways has always been a long-standing ambition of mine. So when the chance finally came, I seized it, even though I had no clue what to expect, and part of me was quietly panicking inside. I knew I just had to turn up, take the plunge, and learn as I went.


And I have to give a huge thank you to the amazing team at True North Studio for putting this fashion show and networking event together. Pulling off something like this takes vision, coordination and a real love for photography. Their dedication created a space where emerging talent and local creatives could shine, and for me, it was the perfect introduction to runway photography.


WHAT I DID TO PREPARE (AND WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN)


I’m the kind of person who overthinks everything, especially when it comes to gear. But I knew I needed to keep things practical and flexible, so I packed light but smart:


Gear I brought:


My Sony camera - lightweight, fast and perfect for a fast-paced setting

My 28-70mm lens - ideal for adjusting quickly between full runway shots and tighter detail work

A flash gun - because runway lighting is unpredictable and you have zero time to adjust between looks

Spare batteries, memory cards, and yes, snacks (I don't mess around)


I also looked through a bunch of backstage/runway imagery beforehand to get into the right headspace. I practised camera settings at home. But in hindsight, nothing really prepares you for the actual adrenaline rush of it.


If I could go back, I'd tell myself: trust your instincts, and be ready to work fast.


THE MOMENT IT ALL STARTED


After a brief introduction by the organisers, the music changed, and the first model walked out onto the runway; everything kicked into motion. There’s this blink-and-you‘ll-miss-it-pace to a fashion show, one model after another, each with just a few seconds in front of your lens. There are no do-overs. No timeout. No directing or repositioning like in a studio photoshoot, where you can take your time to get the image exactly how you want it. You either catch it or you don’t.


The lighting was a challenge, sometimes flattering, sometimes overly dramatic, and I had to adjust my settings on the fly. But something clicked. I stopped overthinking and let myself move with the rhythm of the show.


There’s a kind of flow that happens when you're fully present with the work. And even though my heart was thudding, I started to see what I wanted in the frame: movement, structure, attitude. I went from simply “capturing” to creating.


WHAT I LEARNED (FAST)


There’s no room for hesitation - the show moves with or without. I learned to anticipate the moment before it happened.


Lighting can (and will) betray you - always have backup gear, and know your camera well enough to adjust it instinctively.


You don’t have to see the chaos to feel it - even without access to backstage, I could feel the energy of the team’s work. It reminded me that great fashion photography isn’t just about the clothes, it's about translating the atmosphere.


Confidence doesn’t come before the work; it comes during it - I didn’t feel ready. But by showing up and staying present, I found my rhythm.


FINAL THOUGHTS: LOOKING BACK, LOOKING AHEAD


This show may have happened in June, but I’m only just starting to see how much it’s influenced my work. It reminded me that you grow the most when you're slightly out of your depth, and sometimes, all it takes is one “yes” to unlock something new in yourself.


I’m proud of the photos I took. Not because they’re perfect, but because they represent something bigger: my first step into the world of live fashion events, my first experience shooting runway, and proof that I can handle the pressure and still find the magic in it.


And now, I want more. More fashion shows. More opportunities to shoot bold, editorial stories. More moments like this, fast, fleeting and full of fire.


INTERESTED IN WORKING TOGETHER?


I’m a Scotland-based fashion photographer specialising in editorial storytelling, live fashion events and collaborative, cinematic image-making.


Let’s chat about your next project: samanthapattisonphotography@outlook.com


Explore my portfolio: Fashion Photography Portfolio 2025 - compressed.pdf


Follow me on Instagram: @sampattisonphotography for behind-the-scenes content and future shoot updates.


P.S. IF YOU ' VE MADE IT THIS FAR…..


Thanks for reading. This was a big moment for me, and I'm glad I took the time to finally put it into words. Now onto the next chapter…..

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