I don't understand

What does it mean when someone tells you that they are a “fashion photographer?” I met a very pleasant young man tonight and that’s what he told me. He had a friend and a model with him, helping him out in redecorating his new studio space. The model was a waif-like young woman with huge eyes and a limp handshake. They were nice enough but I could tell that they were utterly bewildered by me and what I do. The feeling was mutual.

The photographer showed me some photos on his iPad that he that he had taken; they consisted of dramatic poses by various models, often focusing on their facial features, particularly their overly made-up eyes. The contrast between light and shadow was particularly effective in creating drama but I thought that fashion photography was supposed to highlight clothing, not the model. I’ve seen similar poses in various magazines and I often don’t know what I’m supposed to be looking at - unless the picture is part of an ad. Then, the advertiser or accompanying text can give a clue if the product isn’t obvious.

But what am I supposed to make of the series of pretty young women with overly dramatic eyes, all wearing size zero clothing? A few were in filmy dresses, translucent skirts attractively billowing in a fan-induced breeze. Most were dressed in yoga pants and blouses – nothing interesting, the clothes just used to highlight their stereotypically model/whip-thin bodies. Nonetheless, I complimented him on the pictures; they were attractive. I just didn’t see what distinguished them in terms of fashion.

What IS a fashion photographer? I understand the photographer part, but what differentiates this “fashion” photographer from a portrait photographer? I don’t get it.