What One Photographer Needs to Get Through Fashion Week
PC: @jonne_scholten
Words by: Jonne Scholten
Last week, Milan Fashion Week SS26 took place, and I was invited as a fashion and celebrity photographer. Between early call times, chaotic shows, and endless outfit changes, I’ve learned that surviving fashion week as a photographer requires preparation—and a well-packed bag.
Here’s what two days in Milan look like through the lens of a photographer who loves her stuff.
At Home: The Packing Ritual.
Fashion Week begins before the airport—it starts at home, with packing the bag.
As much as I’d love to carry a petite leather purse from show to show, the truth is: I’m there as a fashion photographer. That means walking around like a fashionable mule, I suppose. Manifesting in a big shoulder bag with gear, like cameras, flash, chargers, iPad, laptop, SD cards, mini-mic—the works. All the “boring” stuff, along with the fun: lip glosses, a little perfume, and all the extras that make me feel a little bit more human in the chaos.
Day 1: The Early Call.
7:00 AM — The alarm goes off.
I’m in Milan. After a flight, a train ride, and a walk, I arrived at my Airbnb at 00:20 last night. My camera battery has been charging all night, because you have to abide by the first rule of fashion week photography: your camera must always be charged, and SD cards stocked. Here are my essentials:
Brown eyeliner + purple lipliner (that doubles as eyeliner)
Souvenir lighter from Milan
For my day-to-day bag, I have one rule: no backpacks. I refuse to be a photographer with a backpack. My current shoulder bag is a Vinted find, but I’ve been eyeing the Gucci GG Running Medium Bag on The RealReal. I’m a sucker for leather bags that only get prettier with time, and the golden detail is like a cherry on top.
Getting Dressed: The Coat Theory.
There’s always pressure about what to wear to Fashion Week, and I get it. But one outfit can’t define your style; the accumulation of them can.
My cheat code? Put your faith in your coat. This week, I chose the long black Khy coat. Underneath: black BOSS pants, a black Abercrombie & Fitch top (which is sold out so I’m linking an alternative), a cropped SKIMS cardigan, and black ballerinas from a little Paris boutique. It’s all I want: simple, timeless, and temperature-proof. Perfect.
On the Job.
With a cappuccino in one hand and Google Maps in the other, I strut toward Duomo to meet the Milan Fashion Week team. My job this week: celebrity photographer. That means following her the whole day, from fittings to shows and events, and shooting four to six looks per day. She’s collaborating with a brand that is expecting to see high-quality images of her in its designs, and I’m here to deliver.
Between the rain, heat, and air-conditioning, my Salt & Stone deodorant in Neroli & Basil becomes my safe-haven. I love how it smells sophisticated and actually lasts a workday. For the ultimate self-care moment, my weapon of choice is the U Beauty’s Plasma Lip Compound Universal. Sometimes, self-care products remind me of one of my favorite places or the peace you find at the bottom of a pool: no screaming kids or fashion week noise. That’s the power of putting on a rich lip gloss <3
Midnight Reset.
At 11:20 PM, I’m heading home. Dinner? Microwave rice and greens from the supermarket—plus a new hairbrush and a chocolate treat. Back at the Airbnb, I reorganize my bag, shower, and get into bed… to edit until 5 AM.
Day 2: Back at It
8:00 AM — New day, same bag.
Today will be long, so I throw in extra electrolytes, wired EarPods, a power bank, and my mini notebook. Whenever I don’t bring it, my brain violently protests—there’s something so grounding about handwriting thoughts mid-chaos. I love writing down ideas and observations during shows and coffee breaks.
Today’s Look is a white ZARA blouse, COS jeans, ballerinas, bordeaux leather gloves, and the black Khy trench again.
I bike to the Sportmax show—cabs are gridlocked with tinted vans ferrying celebs and influencers. As I make my way into the venue, I spot YouTube nostalgia icon Ellie Thumann (IYKYK). The show itself is a leather dream. Sculptural coats and fringed bags that made me rethink my anti-fringe stance. Absolutely fabulous.
This Westman Atelier liner has served me so well. The Khôl Brun is the best shade and while it stays in place, it doesn’t take me 5 days and 30 face washes to get out of my waterline.
Afterwards, I met up with the Milan team again to shoot street style and more portraits. At this point, my bag’s already gone through it—from asphalt to taxi floors—but it keeps up. In the cab, I reapply my eyeliner (L’Oréal brown pencil) while bumping over cobblestones—a skill I’ve perfected and take great pride in. I also reapply my perfume as a little pick-me-up. I’m still searching for my signature scent in travel size. There’s something so chic about having your own bottled identity—a scent that reminds people of you. I think there is beauty in that.
Nighttime Edit.
11:15 PM. Bag on chair. Pajamas on. Laptop open.
My non-negotiable skincare while traveling: the iconic green tube of Weleda Skin Food. With all the rain, AC, and dry hotel air, I prioritize moisture like it’s a religion. It’s also why I treat myself to a Mary & May collagen mask once a week—because at Fashion Week, self-care means feeling human again. Laying in bed, editing with a sheet mask.
Final Thoughts
Staying sane during fashion week isn’t about being prepared—it’s about creating little rituals that make the madness feel beautiful. There is so much happening all at once, that it can, yes, be hard to stay grounded. So whether it’s a trusted coat, a lip balm that brings you peace, or a notebook that holds your thoughts, it all adds up to calm amid chaos. Tokens of peace, maybe that’s what’s really in the bag.
