What’s a Test Shoot?

A basic test shoot is a collaboration between a Photographer and a model testing out a concept or idea to produce images that they would both use in their portfolio. A more professional and larger scale test shoot includes the aforementioned plus a Makeup Artist, Hair Stylist, Fashion Stylist and even a Nail Artist (who are becoming more and more common on test shoots).

Traditionally no money changes hands, apart from perhaps travel costs; instead people receive a copy of the images to add to their portfolio for their time. In some cases people will offer a fee to more experienced creatives (eg: a model might pay a skilled photographer for quality or a new photographer might pay for the services of an agency model for the day to guarantee she shows up and has experience).

Testing is important especially when you’re starting your freelance career. It allow you to expand your portfolio and try out different styles, but it is also a great way to network and expand your contact list. When first starting your career you don’t necessarily know the right people or have the standard of portfolio that you need to land big jobs, so testing is a way of refining your skills so that you are ready, and it’s the perfect opportunity to make life-long connections. It is a way of practicing for the real thing too, and getting you prepared and confident to take on paid jobs.