Street style walk through a parking garage during our Garage Fashion Shoot in Oxford, MS.

Not every great portrait needs a studio. For our Garage Fashion Shoot, we headed to a parking garage in Oxford, Mississippi, and turned concrete, stairwells and open-side light into a magazine style backdrop. The result is edgy, modern and a whole lot of fun.

Southern Exposures Photography has been behind the camera for more than 35 years. Our home studio is in Calhoun City, but some of our favorite fashion work happens on location around North Mississippi, from Oxford to Tupelo and Starkville.

The Session: Fashion Portraits With an Urban Edge

The goal was simple: fashion portraits with an urban edge. We built the session around several outfit changes, from a cozy fur vest with boots to a bright red off the shoulder dress with red sneakers, a crochet top, and a band tee with sunglasses. Each outfit got its own corner of the garage so every set feels like a different shoot.

Fur vest and boots on the concrete stairwell, a favorite spot in the Oxford, MS garage.

We moved from the stairwell to the open deck to the shady spots between parked cars, using the natural light wherever it looked best. A garage gives you a lot of variety in a small space, so we could change the whole mood of a look just by walking fifty feet.

Why a Garage Fashion Shoot Works

A parking garage might sound like an odd choice, but it's one of our favorite places to shoot. Here is why:

  • Open sides let in soft, even light that flatters skin
  • Concrete floors and walls give a clean, neutral look that makes clothing and color pop
  • Stairwells, railings and rows of columns add strong lines and depth
  • The ceiling keeps you shaded and out of the weather on a bright or drizzly day
  • One location gives you many different looks without loading up and driving across town


Red off the shoulder dress and red sneakers against plain concrete in Oxford, Mississippi.

Color really shines against all that gray. Look at the red dress and red sneakers: on a busy background they would compete with everything around them, but on plain concrete they become the whole story.

Light is the other half. Deep inside a garage the light can go dim and flat, while the edges near the open sides glow. With more than 35 years behind the camera, we know how to read the light in a place like this, find the spots where it falls just right, and place you in them.

What to Wear and How to Prep

The best fashion photoshoot ideas start with the clothes. For an urban shoot like this one, plan on two to four outfits that look different from each other:

  • One bold color, like a red dress or a bright jacket
  • One texture piece, like fur, leather, denim or crochet
  • One casual street look, like a band tee, jeans and sunglasses
  • Shoes that match the mood, from boots to sneakers


Crochet top and soft open-side light between parked cars, garage fashion portrait in Oxford, MS.

Bring your outfits on hangers so they stay wrinkle free, and wear something easy to change out of. Accessories like sunglasses, hoops and hats are great for quick variations. Comfortable shoes for walking between spots help too. If you are working on a modeling portfolio, bring a mix of fitted looks that show your shape and looser looks that show your style.

We'll handle the locations inside the garage, the posing and the light. You just bring the looks and the attitude. Want to see how we do creative work in the studio too? Check out our 80's Glam Shotz post, then explore our fashion and portrait sessions.

Contact for Pricing

Every fashion and portrait shoot is a little different, depending on the location, the number of looks and how you plan to use your images. Contact us for pricing and we'll put together the right session for you.

Sunglasses, a band tee and striped shadows: urban fashion portrait from North Mississippi.

FAQ: Garage Fashion Shoot in Oxford, MS

What are some good fashion photoshoot ideas?

Urban locations like parking garages, stairwells and city streets are some of our favorites. Pair them with bold colors, strong textures and a few outfit changes and you'll get a lot of variety from one session.

Is a parking garage a good place for a photoshoot?

Yes. The open sides give soft natural light, the concrete makes color pop and the roof keeps you out of the sun and rain.

How many outfits should I bring to a fashion shoot?

Two to four is a good range. Pick looks that are different from each other in color, texture or mood so every set feels fresh.

Do you only shoot in Oxford?

No. We are based in Calhoun City and photograph fashion and portrait sessions all over North Mississippi, including Oxford, Tupelo and Starkville.

Whether you're building a portfolio, refreshing your social media or just want a fun creative shoot, we would love to plan one with you.

Text GARAGE to 662-222-1772 to book your shoot!

Tight close up with natural light, proof you don't need a studio backdrop. Oxford, MS.