Ursula M Agurto

Freelance fashion editor, creative director, and producer of photoshoots specializing in orchestrating and executing successful beauty and fashion photo shoot productions. With an acute understanding of industry trends and aesthetics, collaborate closely with photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists to conceptualize and bring to life visually captivating and on-brand images, meticulously planning and overseeing every aspect of the production process, from location scouting and casting to wardrobe selection and set design. Proficient in developing and implementing comprehensive visual identities for brands, utilizing a range of elements including typography, colors, and consistent aesthetic guidelines to enhance brand recognition, communicate core values, and evoke emotional responses. A keen eye for detail ensures that the overall vision is translated into the final images, reflecting the desired mood, aesthetic, and message. Thrive in fast-paced environments, managing budgets, timelines, and teams with precision, all while maintaining a strong focus on delivering outstanding results for clients and publications.

•Research and forecast trends to create mood boards of ideas and inspirations

•Establish and maintain relationships with ready to wear and accessible fashion brand and accessory showrooms for sample requests

•Coordinate meetings and fittings prior to shoot date to communicate and cultivate ideas/direction of editorial alongside Fashion Director, Photo Editor and Creative Director

•Collaborate with creative team, including photographers, hair and makeup artists, art directors to develop and maintain consistent visual style across all product imagery.

•Plan and organize product assortments for photo shoots, considering factors such as seasonality, product categories, and marketing campaigns.

•Select and curate appropriate props, accessories, and set designs to enhance visual appeal of product imagery and convey desired brand image.

•Conceptualize and execute creative and cohesive styling strategies for product photo shoots, ensuring alignment with brand's aesthetic and target audience.

•Conduct thorough research on fashion trends, industry standards, and competitor analysis to stay up to date with latest styling techniques and maintain competitive edge.

•Direct and lead team of stylists, providing guidance and feedback to ensure that styling objectives are met and high-quality standards are maintained.

•Collaborate closely with merchandising team to ensure accurate representation of product attributes and details in styling process.

•Oversee post-production process, reviewing and providing input on edited images to ensure meet styling vision and quality standards are met.

•Stay informed about industry best practices and emerging trends in e-commerce styling and contribute innovative ideas to enhance overall customer experience.

•Pitched ideas and concepts editorial spreads including covers

•Established and maintained relationships with luxury showrooms and high end fashion houses for sample requests

•Produced, directed, styled and submitted 10-12 page fashion editorials, including covers, with full, fact checked credits

•Worked closely alongside photographer to edit photos, refine photos and review pagination of selected photos

•Produced and styled various photo shoots with models, staff, and creative artists in New York's Brooklyn community

for seasonal ad campaigns, mailings and website

•Pitched ideas for fashion and beauty stories as well as produced, directed and styled fashion and beauty editorial spreads

•Commissioned fashion editorials and reviewed editorial specs for publication

•Reviewed fashion submissions for possible publications and checked all facts and fashion for accuracy according to season

•Developed model portfolios in collaboration with other fashion industry creatives for various New York City model agencies, including, but not limited to Ford, Wilhelmina

Supreme, Elite, Major, Muse, and Women Management

•Pitched ideas for fashion and beauty stories

•Styled models for trend, beauty and news pages

Due to financial constraints, I was unable to continue pursuing my degree. At the time it was a very unfortunate situation that was not under my control, but eventually I did fulfill my goal of working in the fashion industry. I held other positions of employment between the Spring of 1992 and the Summer of 1999, including teaching art to children at both the Newark Museum of Art and the NJ Historical Society, and later Publicity Assistant for King World Productions and Edelman Public Relations, both located in New York City.