Everything you should know about a street style photographer who conquers fashion weeks

Here's the 4H's and 1W's of being a streetstyle photographer

1/9

Like some relationships in today’s context where a duo meets over the internet (or in some cases, Tinder), we didn’t meet Esmeralda on the streets of Paris during the SS’19 shows but instead, we found her on Instagram (@esmellaca). And our first thought was how it was great to see a female street style photographer in a sea of Phil Ohs, Tommy Tons and Scott Schumans but we’re not crediting her either for just being female: we’re fans of her almost-candid shots (influencers! They’re just like us!) and knack for getting It-girls to pose for her.

Click on to find out what makes her tick and how she got started. Or, click here, here, here, and here for her streetstyle photos. 

READ MORE: SCORE THESE MINIMALIST EVERYDAY BAGS FOR $90 AND LESS

She always had a thing for fashion

2/9

Esmeralda: I’m actually 47 years old but I did a degree in fashion design in college. It’s never too late in life to pursue your dreams and goals, isn’t it? Going to university was an unfinished business for me, so when I finally had the chance to go, I didn’t think twice!

The SS’18 shows in September 2017 was my first serious coverage of Fashion Week where I went to Milan and Paris.

READ MORE: BOOTS TO BUY: HW'S PICKS OF THE ONES YOU CAN DEFINITELY WEAR TO THE OFFICE

You don’t need a degree though, just an interest in fashion

3/9

Esmeralda: I decided to pursue street style photography because I find it fascinating! There are people on the streets with a natural talent and an incredible eye for putting fashion trends together. People use fashion as a way to express themselves and the point of me documenting street style is to show the mind-blowing talent behind street fashion.

READ MORE: SCORE THESE MINIMALIST EVERYDAY BAGS FOR $90 AND LESS

You don’t need to wear the latest brands to catch her eye

4/9

Esmeralda: I look for uniqueness, innovation, originality… Fortunately, there are still many people especially during fashion week that catch my attention.

READ MORE: BOOTS TO BUY: HW'S PICKS OF THE ONES YOU CAN DEFINITELY WEAR TO THE OFFICE

But make sure your accessories are ace

5/9

Esmeralda: What accessories a person is wearing usually catches my eye first. They’re an important part of the outfit and people wear real masterpieces such as shoes, earrings or bags.  

READ MORE: BOOTS TO BUY: HW'S PICKS OF THE ONES YOU CAN DEFINITELY WEAR TO THE OFFICE

Her streetstyle icon isn’t a famous social media star

6/9

Esmeralda: I must confess my weakness is Michele Lamy, she is so unique! Her style is so powerful and so bold that it is impossible not to take her picture time after time. And she is always so friendly, cool and funny… I love her!

READ MORE: SCORE THESE MINIMALIST EVERYDAY BAGS FOR $90 AND LESS

 

To start out, you need drive + determination +…a camera of course

7/9

Esmeralda: Well, as any other job, it is tough in the beginning and particularly if you don’t have any connections. One must be very determined and driven to succeed… this is a very competitive industry, isn’t it?

READ MORE: SCORE THESE MINIMALIST EVERYDAY BAGS FOR $90 AND LESS

But be prepared for a few literal scraps

8/9

Esmeralda: One of the recent and crazier things happened outside Balmain’s show in Paris last October. Olivia Palermo was leaving, and we all wanted a picture of her. But she didn’t stop and kept walking and all the photographers were chasing her for a photograph. Suddenly, another photographer gave me an elbow in my face and my own camera hit me on my lips (not on purpose of course). I began to bleed, and I thought I broke my teeth but fortunately it was just a scare!

READ MORE: SCORE THESE MINIMALIST EVERYDAY BAGS FOR $90 AND LESS

Social media credits don’t come aplenty but when they do, it’s the best feeling ever

9/9

Esmeralda: One of my best moments (because there are a few) was the day Poppy Delevingne shared a picture I took of her on Instagram. I was over the moon haha!

READ MORE: BOOTS TO BUY: HW'S PICKS OF THE ONES YOU CAN DEFINITELY WEAR TO THE OFFICE