Photoshoot vs Test Shoot: The Key Differences

A professional model's calling card is the photographs that represent them. To get the best job offers, you need a strong portfolio of photos, usually called a model book.

When choosing a photographer, it is very important to check whether they have experience photographing models. An excellent event, wedding or portrait photographer often cannot deliver the kind of shoot a model needs. Many photographers who are highly experienced in other fields find shooting models a real challenge, as it requires knowledge of the fashion business itself and its finer points.

You are free to choose any photographer you like, but if you need help choosing one, the Supermodels agency has prepared a list of recommended professional photographers for its models whose results never disappoint.

What Is a Test Shoot in the Fashion Industry?

A test shoot, or model test, is a set of photos that represent the model. Test shoots often make up most of a model book. In a test shoot, the model reveals their character through posing, conveys different emotions, shows how well they can pose and that they are not afraid to experiment with poses and style. During the test shoot the model learns to work in front of the camera, while the photographer tries to find the model's best features to bring out in the photos and to capture as many different expressions of the model's character as possible.

There are various types of test shoots. It can be a fashion-style test, where a stylist, a make-up artist and sometimes even their assistants work on the model's look, while the photographer and the model are free to experiment boldly.
A natural test shoot is one where the model wears simple clothes, often their own or picked from the photographer's wardrobe, with minimal make-up, and poses naturally, showing their best features.

In a test shoot, just as in a photoshoot, the model's outfit or make-up may be changed a couple of times, and the lighting and locations may be varied. A test shoot lasts about 1–1.5 hours, and the model receives 10–15 photos, sometimes more.

The main rule of a test shoot is variety. A test shoot simulates the different situations a model finds themselves in. The shots should look as if the model has been "caught" in different outfits, with different make-up, against different backgrounds and in different lighting. The photos from a good shoot should not repeat themselves – they should all look different and even suggest that they come from several separate shoots.

It is also very important that the model understands the essence of the job: under no circumstances should they freeze and stare at the camera with the same expression. A model must be able to switch quickly between emotions and embody several characters. The more varied the model, the better the result of the shoot.

When shooting with professional photographers who work in and understand this art, models usually pay themselves or, if they cannot afford it, the agency pays and the test shoot is added to the model's balance. Test shoots cost anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred euros. The price depends on how experienced the photographer is, whether a stylist, a make-up artist or studio hire were needed, and how many photos the photographer delivers. Sometimes photographers may offer to work on a TFP (Time For Print) basis, where the photographer and the model work for free in exchange for the photos. Like models, photographers build their own portfolios, and when a photographer does not yet have a good one, it pays for them to photograph models for free and show the results as examples of their work.

What Is a Photoshoot in the Fashion Industry?

Photoshoots are part of a model's job. Once a model has a professional model book and some posing experience from test shoots, they can start receiving offers for photoshoots booked by clients, who pay for the model's work. These can be lookbook shoots, advertising campaigns and so on.

During a photoshoot, the organisers take care of the model's look. Stylists, make-up artists and creative directors may work on the look being created. The look may change several times during the shoot, as may the location. A photoshoot can last several hours or even several days, until the whole collection has been photographed.

---

If you are interested in modelling and you are a girl aged 14–22 and at least 170 cm tall, or a young man aged 16–25 and at least 185 cm tall, register with us.