Testing, testing, testing

It’s a little-known fact that good professional photographers do something called testing.

But what is it, and why is it important in your selection of a top-class professional photographer?

It’s an opportunity for a creative photographer to try out an idea, flex their creative muscles, and demonstrate their range of work. It’s also a great time to stretch the talents of a make-up artist, stylist and model.

Testing is collaboration between the photographer and the creative team, and depending on the shoot, it can actually involve quite a few people involved in the creative process.

Here are a few reasons for testing:
• To try out a newly-signed model to a model agency
• You have an idea for a shoot and need to try out a certain look
• A new make-up artist or stylist is in town and they have a particular style
• You want to test-drive a concept before presenting it to the client.

Testing is a like a personal project, where you pull together a team, develop the idea and a brief, and then plan the shoot - which will involve a mood board or style sheet.

The shoot will usually be art-directed by the photographer, with the team contributing ideas to the look of the make-up/hair/clothes style.

Although it is usual for the photographer to produce and direct a shoot, it is undoubtedly the team effort where everyone involved comes away with a stunning piece of work for their portfolio.

This type of work can be incredibly creative and also push the boundaries of a professional photographer without enforced limits of deadline or client briefing.

Working this way gets you noticed, and will sometimes inspire existing clients to book you on the strength of this work as well as your regular photographic jobs.

It’s the creative stuff that people value increasingly these days - this also helps creative, professional photographers to get more interesting work. Why not push your own creative boundaries as a professional photographer and get testing, testing, testing?