I photograph male and female models.  A shoot, be it a story or a test, should always convey something - a mood, a feeling, a fantasy.  Even if the shots are gritty the model should be showing something other than 'reality'.

This requires an ability to direct people, being able to convey to them the image I have in my head. It also requires a bit of project management.  Being a photographer, especially a fashion photographer requires selling yourself and exciting others with your vision so much that they want to be a part of that vision.  This can be hit and miss and at the end of the day one has to have enough passion for this work to keep going because it's what you feel you were born to do.