How To Start Modeling Shoots With Any Agency
A-Z Guide To Setting Up Model Tests With Agencies
Model testing is the foundation of nearly every career in beauty and fashion photography. From the swanky fashion photography on covers of Vogue Magazine and Harpers Bazaar to the flawless beauty photography on billboards and signage in Sephora - it’s a good bet every one of those beauty and fashion photographers started with model testing, and they likely continue to test with models today.
Model testing isn’t only for beginners, but it is the best way to start building a beauty or fashion portfolio. Many established beauty and fashion photographers continue model testing as a means to create new work, practice, or experiment with new lighting setups and equipment. For some photographers, model testing is a business. Just ask commercial fashion photographer, Elizabeth Wiseman. She actually built a business getting paid for model testing. 🤯
What Is Model Testing?
Model testing is an opportunity for a photographer and model to build their portfolios together. Don’t just think of model testing as a free, TFP (trade for print) photo shoot with professional models to make pretty pictures for Instagram. A true model test should serve a greater purpose and benefit the photographer, model, and modeling agency equally.
For photographers, model testing provides high-end portfolio work with professional models. For models, testing provides experience and exposure to a variety of photographers, styles, and directives. For modeling agencies, testing provides a library of fresh, marketable images they can use in their models' portfolios.
So what is the key difference? A photographer's goal is usually to showcase themselves- their technique, personal style, and creativity. A modeling agency’s only goal is to showcase their model. Of course, modeling agencies will appreciate your creativity and unique style, but your creative direction should never overpower the focus of the image which, to them, is always the model.
Modeling agencies want images that showcase their models' natural features and range of looks in an authentic and marketable fashion. This is applicable to all types of modeling as well. Your job as the photographer is balancing the needs of the agency with your own. Of course get the imagesyou need, but be sure to give agencies the imagesthey need as well. This is especially important if you’re getting started and want to have a long modeling career in photography. Fostering a relationship with the modeling agency should be your priority if you want to continue testing with their models. Play it safe the first couple times, and consider their needs first. It will go a long way.
How To Start Model Testing
In order to start model testing, you will need some work to show modeling agencies, and not just your work on social media. This doesn't necessarily mean you need a portfolio full of professional models and high-end beauty and fashion photography, but you will need to convey your abilities as a photographer, especially if you want to start shooting commercial models. Agencies aren't oblivious to the fact that in order to get models in your portfolio, you have to start somewhere. Models have to start somewhere too. Agencies bring on new models all the time, and there is a good chance they can pair you with a model who is also starting from scratch building their portfolio to give a wide range of full body and headshots.
Maybe you've only ever photographed weddings, seniors portraits, or families. What type of work should you show a modeling agency if you don't have any models in your portfolio but want to start working with runway models? For starters, you will need to show that you can photograph people and will need to start with the most basic modeling work in your portfolio. Portraits are important and this is true for all size models as well. If you only have landscape, product, or still life work, it likely won't be enough to convince an agency. If you don’t have any at all, start shootingsomeportraits.
Show portraits of interesting people and highlight their unique features and characteristics. Maybe it's someone with lots of freckles, a bride with a unique smile, or a child with remarkable green eyes. It could even be an old man or woman with interesting lines or wrinkles. Modeling agencies work in a creative space but often times the majority of work is female models so this is a big part of what you need. They know how to visualize. Even if you don't have beauty or fashion images in your portfolio, they understand photography and will take notice of your ability to understand light and create portraits in beautiful and interesting ways. All reputable agencies understand this and will expect to be shown all types of work, but you just need to know where to start and what expectations there are in model management.
How To Contact A Modeling Agency
Contacting modeling agencies can be intimidating, but by understanding their needs and speaking their language, they will see you as a peer and ally to their business, which is essential between a model and talent especially in markets like Los Angeles. Much of the photography industry is all about relationships and all kind of model types. Approaching agencies courteously, professionally, and with good intentions is the key to starting a relationship and creating opportunities for future collaborations. This will allow you to lay the ground work to eventually start doing your own successful open call types of shoots once you have a good footing.
What's the best way to contact a modeling agency? A well-crafted email usually works best. In fact, it's the industry standard. An email to a modeling agency should be concise and to the point. Be courteous of their time. Introduce yourself, your work, and your goals. Be open and honest if you've never worked with models or shot beauty or fashion photography. Talk about what you have done and what you want to do. Provide a link to your portfolio or website. If you have a specific idea or direction for photo shoot, include it (give examples), but be sure to use a collaborative tone in your language and express open-mindedness. Remember, a model test is collaborative. It should benefit both parties- youandthe agency. Put the model and agencies needs first and it will go a long way.
Download The Free Fashion Posing Guide Template HERE
Download the posing guide from Elizabeth Wiseman here and learn the exact poses you need to create in a model test to give the most range in a session. FREE with a valid email!
Next Steps To Begin Your Model Testing Portfolio With Agencies
Once you've emailed a modeling agency and landed your first test shoot, there are still many considerations and decisions to make in order to ensure a successful collaboration. Wardrobe, styling, hair and makeup, lighting, posing, culling, retouching, file delivery… 😫 It can be a bit daunting. Don't worry, we covered it all in Elizabeth Wiseman's 3-hour comprehensive tutorial, Model Testing.
Whether you've never worked with models before or have been model testing for years, Elizabeth will give you everything you need to contact modeling agencies confidently and start shooting with agency-represented models. From there she will show you how she built a team, perfected her workflow, and now runs a business getting paid for model testing.
Great Camera Setting Tips For Model Testing
Photography Lighting Tips For Model Testing
