Paris or Milan for Editorial and Commercial Photography?

[5nap5hot]

I am considering making a move to Europe. (Paris or Milan)

I am a photographer looking to build my portfolio and make some money at the same time. What city has a more active magazine/ advertising market?

I want to start preparing by learning the language of the country I intend to go to.

Cheers
T.

[BerlinRocks]

^if you want money, i may say italy is better, non ?

[gatano]

I say milan is not the best place for starting fashion photographers unless you really innovate and are above the "average" fashion photographers , if you are that good italy is also good place

[BetteT]

I have heard from several photographers that Milan is a great place to build your portfolio ... it's sort of a training ground for new faces and the agencies are pretty open for testing and creatives if they like your book, so far. I've also heard that there are some good local fashion magazines there too where models can get tears. But no idea about advertising work. I can't confirm this ... just things I've been told.

[5nap5hot]

Well, it seems it is Milan then. I am new to fashion photography but I am very serious about it. I could probably get good experience assisting a more experienced photographer.
I have heard many people in the fashion industry say it is a great place to build your book.

I have always wanted to live in Paris though.... (plus I can speak french a little)

[BerlinRocks]

Originally Posted by gatano

I say milan is not the best place for starting fashion photographers unless you really innovate and are above the "average" fashion photographers , if you are that good italy is also good place

paris is certainly better about "creativity" etc.
but if you want money Milan is far better .... in Paris, you have to wait (long) until making €€€€ ...
Have you consider Germany ?
It may appear less "famous" in fashion industry ... but there's money AND creativity - Berlin! (from what i've heard....)

[BerlinRocks]

i didn't see the title changed ...
for commercial : go to Milan, imo ...
for editorial : come to Paris ...
if you want money : go to Milan ...
if you're ok about waiting, asst.ing etc. and already have a book and friends : come to Paris ...

[5nap5hot]

Someone else changed the title. I might just try both! What is the cost of living for Paris as compared to Milan?
I prefer Vogue Paris to Vogue Italia. In the street-style pictures that I have seen online, Parisians have a better sense of style (imho)

[helmut.newton]

Is there a more in depth thread on fashion photography here on tfs??

[BetteT]

Not that I know of ... there's a short one about how to become a fashion photographer along with a networking thread for photographers and their teams right here in Careers & Education. There are tons of threads about all the well known photographers and their work in Behind the Lens. And lots of additional editorials can be seen in the Magazines forum.

Not sure what you have in mind. If you have something new to offer or an idea of something you'd like to post to start off a new thread about a topic that is not covered, let us know.