Model tests
Last week I was shooting a model test with wonderful Alizeé from Model Agency Sight Management Barcelona ( https://sight-management.com/ ).
It was a spontaneous photo shoot. I had one photo session canceled but I had a studio (https://camaleocoworkingbarcelona.com/) reserved for me. So I decided to invite Alizeé (as I was dreaming to make pictures of her for a long time).
By organising model tests at the last minute I understood that I have a great experience and I want to share some of my knowledge with You.
Being a fashion photographer I have done numerous model tests and polaroids throughout my career.
I always take this job very seriously. Because, to my belief, success of the model to a greater extent depends on her portfolio and polaroids. Many potential clients namely make preliminary decisions whether to call a model for a casting or to invite her (him) for a photo session based on pictures from model’s portfolio.
Therefore I believe that it is crucial to have a professional high quality model tests, which can show model the best way.
Usually I shoot model tests for 3-4 hours,
we have from 3 to 5 different looks (wardrobe + makeup and hair + different light setup),
2-3 hours in the studio and 1 hour on the streets,
I give 10 pictures (2-3 pictures of every look) retouched and colour-corrected.
So here are MY MODEL TESTS TIPS for starting models.
1. Appearance. I think it is important to make model tests when model is in her best shape. First of all a model will feel confident in front of the camera and secondly clients want to see how a model looks in real life.
!!!! I can say that I don’t change model features, I only retouch pimples (because today there is a pimple and tomorrow it is gone). :)
!!!! And it is very important to have clean hair on the day of a photo session. ;)
2.Styling and looks. To my opinion nowadays model tests is not only about a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Model tests require different pictures in different moods. Photo session can be done with a stylist or without (many times we were working without a stylist when model and me brought different clothes). Of course with the stylist the looks will be more sophisticated.
When it comes to bringing your own clothes it is not necessary to have luxury brands, it can be clothes from mass-market: H&M https://www2.hm.com/es_es/index.html , Zara (https://www.zara.com/), Bershka (https://www.bershka.com/) and others. Also it is possible to find some interesting pieces in vintage stores. What’s important is that clothes should be or look like new. In this case garments will keep their shape and look good in the camera. Black, white and other neutral colours are perfect. Model has to bring a pair of nude and/or black heels as well as a nude underwear.
* whispering - You can buy clothes, make a photosession and right after it return all the clothes (except underwear and swimsuits) to the store (if the garment is in the same good condition, of course).
3. Make up. If without a stylist it is more or less possible to make good model tests, without makeup artist it will be almost “mission impossible” (although I had done many photo shoots without MUA). As I wrote before model tests require change of looks (change of moods) and make up artist is one of the key elements to this. He (or she) can make a model look like “an angel” or a “drama queen” ;)
!!! Photos in the portfolio will help the potential client to envision model in different looks.
4. Posing. Working with “fresh” models I have seen (many times) that a model just stands and waits for a photographer to say where to put feet and hands. It is totally OK and I always help models to feel comfortable on set. But, I think, it is also important for a model to watch posing videos on Youtube or have a look at editorials and copy poses that she /he likes. First of all it will boost model’s confidence on set and also will help the shooting process to move faster.
5. And the last but not the least. Attitude! Model (as well as the team) should bring to the shoot positive vibes and friendliness. Although it is not a job and there are no clients but it is important to start building a good reputation. Who knows maybe this photographer, this stylist or this make up artist will recommend this model to someone or invite for a job in the future.
In case You have any questions or ideas about what other tips I can include in my article please write me in thhe Direct of my Instagram @Maria.chi_photography.
In case You want to make model tests with me please feel free to write to my e-mail or directly in Instagram.
Thank You & Good luck!
