What Is A Test Shoot?
In this guide to model test shoots I will explain the basic parameters of setting up a test shoot and how it can benefit your work and portfolio. Test shoots are a great stepping stone for models and photographers who are interested in building their portfolio. A test shoot is essentially a collaboration where modeling agencies will send you a model based on which of their talent need new images to supplement their existing books.
The purpose of these images is to help models book paid jobs. You, get the added benefit of having an agency model to work with for your creative ideas. Agencies get images for their talent. Models get new images that they can share and use to book jobs. This is a win-win scenario for models and photographers who are interested in building their book.
Benefits Of A Test Shoot
Benefits of a test shoot include low stakes and low production for both the model and the photographer on set. As a photographer, test shoots allow you to let your creative vision shine. As a model, they can be practice for larger commercial jobs. In terms of production, I prefer to have a chaperone, assistant, or another guest on set when shooting tests but that is all. Guests are valuable for helping with lights, reflectors, or gear. They also can help to make the model and atmosphere of the shoot more comfortable by providing a familiar face or added personality on set. Otherwise, production, travel, and time duration are kept to a professional minimum. Test shoots usually last for an hour to three hours and usually don’t require travel out of state. Sometimes, a hair stylist or makeup artist are involved in tests too. This can add to the production value and be another guest on location.
Preparation For A Test Shoot
Preparing for a model test shoot is straightforward and does not require a lot of legwork. You should pick your creative idea, decide on a location, choose wardrobe and draft a mood board. I will explain what a mood board is a little bit. Models typically bring clothing or wardrobe options from their own closet although on occasion I have also provided wardrobe or brought in a stylist on rarer occasions. You do not need to have an amazing wardrobe to book or shoot a test. I typically find ideas off of Pinterest, send them to the model and then set up a date/time to do our photoshoot.
Hair And Makeup For A Test Shoot
When I shoot tests, I typically have a fairly clean look for models that does not require a ton of hair and makeup. This is just a habit and style that I have gotten accustomed too over the years and follows the idea that you do not need a lot to get great results. This also plays a role in the type of models you shoot or you book for tests. Depending on the type of models you like to photograph or that you’re good at photographing, the amount of hair and makeup preparation may be a little bit more extensive. Stick to what works for you and your own style to really hone in on what is comfortable. For models that are worried about their skin, I do my best to remove small blemishes in Adobe Photoshop. Everyone has them it’s not a big deal what so ever. Hair will depend on you as an individual or the individual you are photographing. I like to book models for shoots that do not require a lot of hair changes to makes things as easy as possible. Keep things natural but professional and you’ll get some great results from your photoshoot.
Develop Test Shoot Mood Board
If you’re planning a model test shoot as a photographer, one of the first things you want to do is have an idea in mind for what you would like the photoshoot to actually entail. This is necessary ahead of time in order to present your idea to the agency you are working with and to find the right creatives to work with on your test shoot.
That is, if you plan on collaborating with a hair stylists, makeup artist, or wardrobe stylist. A mood board doesn’t have to be anything super complex. It can be something as simple as a white wall, jeans and a natural light studio environment. After that initial spark or mood board is created, you can expand the details quickly.
It’s important to note that you will need to create a mood board for your shoot that presents your idea in a visual way. It should be easy for the team and everyone involved on your shoot to understand what the look and feel of the shoot is that you have in your head.
Note, the images you put in your mood board don’t have to exactly represent what the final product will entail. But, the closer you hit the mark the better. You should still keep your own unique style or idea for what makes you special as a photographer.
I keep written ideas for shoots in Google Keep and on my iPhone. I also use Pinterest for quick and easy access to inspiration and mood board development. While you can use other photographers work from Instagram on your mood board, this usually isn’t the best practice since it can act as a means of comparison between you and another photographer.
I will also add that when you’re starting out, it’s a great idea to under promise and over deliver. Keep your mood boards within your productive budget and only put ideas on the mood board that you truly think you can translate to real life. Keep your mood board in a word document or secret Pinterest board and when you’re idea is good to go, send that over to the agency with your desired time and location.
A Creative Team For Your Test Shoot
Finding a creative team can be daunting at first but really just requires patience, perseverance and some thick skin. For me, time was always the most limiting factor when finding new creatives to work with and is one of the reasons why so many fashion photographers in Los Angeles and New York stick to creative groups when first entering the industry. Not to mention, if you find someone you really enjoy working with then I would suggest you try to stick with them for a hot second.
This will allow you to both build your portfolios together. Facebook and Instagram are great places to reach out and find creative teams like makeup artists or hair stylists. It’s a pretty safe bet that your team probably won’t find you right away.
You’ll need to put in the time and effort to reach out and DM or message multiple people and find someone who also wants to build their photography portfolio. Pro tip, you can also look up people via hashtags (a great tip for a number of different avenues) or look at magazine editorials and see which creatives have been featured on recent editorial shoots.
If you can tell that a shoot was done in Los Angeles by a local makeup artist then you’re one step closer to finding that connection. Agencies also have lists of makeup artists, hair stylists and clothing stylists who you can get in contact with through bookers. Depending on their availability and schedule, they may have room for upcoming creative shoots that they’d be willing to work with you on for free or a lower rate than they typically charge.
Test Shoot Communication
Communicate your vision for the shoot. Often, they’ll have input or suggestions that can help in the creative process and help you further plan out your process but initial communication is key for a great shoot. I have stated this multiple times.
As the photographer, you’re ultimately the last line of defense for what does and doesn’t make the final cut in production. It’s important to be mindful of everyone’s opinions on a test shoot and that includes the model and the models agent.
Test Shoot Locations
Location scouting for test shoots is one of my favorite activities because it helps turn your creative vision to life. Choosing a location is important because trying to find the right light, scenery, and backdrops that will make your test shoot look amazing can often be difficult when you’re starting out in photography. Comparison is the thief of joy in the fashion industry.
If you don’t have the resources to rent, buy, or borrow a stunning mansion don’t fret or get too upset. Make due with what you have available and try to find what makes your test shoot vision unique. It’s also important that your shoot accommodate an area to apply makeup, change wardrobe, use the restroom, and have food options available.
If you’re working with a team of more than two people this will all be highly appreciated in the long-run. Be sure to plan ahead and location scout. It can be a life changer when you’re faced with uncertainty. At the end of the day though, don’t stress too much and be confident in your choices. Even if you realize that you should have done something better this is a learning experience for you, the model and your team.
Model For Your Test Shoots
Finding a model can vary depending on your location. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll go over how you would typically find a model. The first option is to ask an agency and see if they have any new faces that are available to shoot and if they need new images for their portfolio.
This is a great way to establish a professional relationship with an agency and if your work is good, they’ll continue to send you models to use for tests. You can then build a nice network which is helpful for paid jobs and higher paying gigs down the line. You can also find models on Instagram or if you’re starting out, you can ask a friend or see if anyone knows anyone else would be willing to model for your photoshoot.
When I started out, I mostly just photographed my friends and eventually worked with modeling agencies for model tests. Today, I don’t test as much but fluctuate between Instagram models and agency models depending on the idea I have in my head or the type of model test shoot I would like to put together.
Shoot Your Test Shoot
On the test shoot day, make sure you send everyone a call sheet with the model shoot details and mood board. Keep the contacts of your model, makeup artist and wardrobe stylist (if you have one) handy so that everyone can communicate with one another effectively.
After the shoot, make sure to deliver the images to the agency and your team in an appropriate amount of time, something that many models that I have worked with often appreciate from fashion photographers. When all is said and done, you’ve just done a model test shoot. Expect to do a number of test shoots to build up your portfolio.
If you got into photography because you enjoy shooting for fun, then test shoots make the perfect excuse to work on your business and build your portfolio when you’re starting out in the world of fashion photography. If you have any additional questions or want to book a shoot, please contact me for current rates and availability.