In modeling you will need photos for your Z-Card/Zed Cards, portfolio, and web presence.

Test shoots or testing has become a generic term for photographic shoots where a model acquires photographs to use for the model's promotional materials.

You have two basic goals when doing test shoots. One is to get good quality photos as fast as you can to start getting work. The better quality (more professional and creative) photos you have in your portfolio the better paying jobs you will get. The second is to get experience in front of the camera and learning how to find your way around a studio or location shoot.

Test Shoots (Also refereed to as Time For Prints TFP) is when a photographer wants to try out a new creative idea, test some new equipment or film. He sets up a photo session and the model and photographer trade services to both get images for their portfolio and gain experience. Photographers might give you a couple of prints or you may have to pay for prints, but in all cases you will not get the original as they belong to the photographer.

There are several problems you will find with this arrangement. A photographer may be eager to do test shoots, but he or she is still learning, so the quality of work may not be that good, seasoned professional photographers are often too busy with paid jobs to do any test shoots.

QUESTION: Is it bad or a total waste to do a test shoot with a beginning photographer? No. When you are starting out any chance you have to get in front of the camera and see some results is valuable.

This situation gives you good quality photos, very fast, for little money, and the experience of working with someone who knows the business is a great start.

*This information applies to fashion models, life style models, and commercial models.

The Model Release
As you start to do photo shoots the need for a model release form will come up.

QUESTION: How do we track down photographers for free test shoots? Try Model Mayhem or Starnow simply email them and ask if they do any free test shoots (TFP). They may say no, but you don't know until you ask.

Editorial UP NEXT WEEK!!:

CHAIN OF EVENTS Chiffon beaded top by Dior available at Christian Dior, Wynn. Taffeta pants by Gucci available at Gucci, The Forum Shops at Caesars. Necklace by Valentino available at Valentino, The Forum Shops at Caesars

Things to do this week:

1)      You will need to learn about Model Release Forms.

2)      Review & Start Test Shooing with various photographs to build up your portfolio?

3)      Understand photograph Copyright?

4)      Continue to review your personal strengths and weaknesses and write them down on a piece of paper. By now you should know what your best assets are so we can build on them further for next week when we cover Editorial Photographic Work.

Until then please review your Things to DO List above  – Stay focused..

Recommendation photographer: http://www.imperiastaffieri.co.uk

If you would like more model advice, help or guidance contact Sophia White

Sophia White Ethnic Model Agent  I E:sophiamodelagent@googlemail.com I MB: 07930 324 651  I

 TEL: 0208 800 4132

Stay tuned for more model news!!

Sophia Model Agent