The Importance of Testing for Photographers
Emmanuel, Forte Sports Talent - Leica SL2-S, Voigtlander 35mm Nokton Classic f1.4
What is a test shoot, and why are they important?
Arranging a test shoot, even as someone who already has an extensive portfolio, is a vital way of improving many aspects of your career in photography.
The first and most important reason is that they help you improve technically, but you’re also going to make contacts and build a stronger set of images each time you go out and test.
A portfolio should consist of your best images and be catered to finding more work that you want to do, and if you’re improving as a photographer, you should be making adjustments to your portfolio every few months as you get better. Some images may be in it forever, but as our styles and needs change, so should the presentation of our photographs.
Test shoots are a scenario that you create to mimic a commercial shoot, but one that allows you much greater freedom when it comes to experimenting without the pressure of a client.
Saul, Forte Sports Talent - Leica SL2-S, Zeiss 50mm f1.4 Planar
How do I organise a test shoot?
A test can be as complex as involving a professional model, a stylist, a make-up artist, and even a production crew, or it can be as simple as taking your friend with you to a nice location and snapping away.
There are a few possibilities to arrange a test shoot, depending on your current experience. When I first started, shooting with established models or professionals was pretty much out of the question, but there are always people around your level that would also love to practice. Grab your friends who are comfortable in front of a camera, a university graduate stylist that wants to experiment with clothing, and an up-and-coming makeup artist that needs to add to their portfolio.
I’d like to make a point of NOT approaching professional models directly, but instead, you should always go through an agency if you’d like to test with them. There are far too many photographers who do this, and not only is it unprofessional if you don’t know the model already, but it can give you a bad reputation in the industry.
Approach it with a concept, or, don’t.
When you are thinking about what to photograph, having a concept can help make things easier. In my recent test shoots with Emmanuel and Saul, we approached it as we would a paid sports shoot. Before you can get hired for a job, people need to know that you’re capable.
Be it an athlete getting ready in the gym, a runner going onto the track to practice, or even treating it as an advertising shoot for a sporting brand’s new product, set a direction where you want to practice so that when it comes to the real thing, you know exactly what you’re doing.
Sometimes, I just want to test out a new camera or lens or practice my posing skills, so having a concept isn’t necessary at all.
Holly McCandless-Desmond at Yeti Creative Studio
Why you should assist other photographers.
One of the best things you can do as a photographer is to study others. I learned everything I know in a studio from watching other people. I recently had the pleasure of assisting Holly McCandless-Desmond on a studio shoot, and it was fascinating watching how someone else works on a set that has a very different shooting style.
Another way of getting into someone’s good books is to shoot BTS of their shoots. As a photographer, you’re usually the one getting great pictures of everyone. One of my most prolific assistants, Leigh has provided me with most of my favourite photographs of myself.
We did a great shoot, so, now what?
Well, here’s the issue. If you’re already an established photographer and shooting with a model from an agency, obviously you should post it on your social media and portfolio, and tag them in it. A lot of them will share it, and you’ll attract other models from the same agency wanting to get in with you. But what if you’re up and coming and just shooting with your friends?
Most of the time, at this stage of your photography, you’re going to be making a lot of technical mistakes, or your photographs aren’t going to be of a commercial level, but that’s to be expected. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not going to get better, but as long as you love the act of creating, technical skills can and will always improve over time.
You have to be ruthless with your selects, and then, if you’re able to take criticism, ask some photographers you respect if they can critique your work. I’m always happy to have a look at your site or a few of your images and give you my honest opinions, just hit the contact button at the top and send me an e-mail.
But most important of all, you have to SHARE YOUR WORK. You could make an incredible set of pictures, but if nobody can see them, how do you expect to be given more opportunities? Don’t be afraid, it’s just a picture.
Share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you.
~ Austin Kleon, ‘Share Your Work’
The way I got into the industry was that I was always out and about with my camera, always trying to improve, and sharing my work, even when it was utter shit. This led to me earning a role as a Studio Assistant at a commercial studio, where I spent a few years honing my craft and putting countless hours of my own time outside of work to get as good as I could.
Eventually, my photography was at a level where I was noticed by people in the industry and given an opportunity to prove myself.
Emmanuel, Forte Sports Talent - Leica SL2-S, Zeiss Planar 50mm and 85mm f1.4
