Test Shoots - 4 Reasons They Are Important - Even For Established Fashion Photographers

Testing is only for the newbs and the novices….right?  

It’s true! Those who launch themselves into a career in fashion and beauty photography NEED a well rounded and sharp portfolio. There’s only one way to start…and that’s to start shooting. We all have to do it, however I’m here to argue that we should never stop, and here are 4 good reasons why: 

1. Photographers are Creatives - We Need Personal Projects

I’m going to be bold and proclaim that this applies to ALL creatives. A creative has one thing they need next in line to breathing…..and that’s creating. Often, well established fashion and beauty photographers will become busy and preoccupied achieving the creative visions for their clients…and while we LOVE doing this, we have a part in us driving itself forward underneath the day-to-day hustle of being a photographer, and that’s bringing your own downloads into reality. There are reasons you need to keep creating YOUR visions and if you can manage it, schedule time to do so. 

Keep reading…..

2. Your daily jobs aren’t often your BEST work

I remember going almost 12 months without adding anything to my portfolio. It was stale and worse…though I’d been shooting like a madman for months, I didn’t feel I had ANYTHING worthy to add to it. Whilst you may be booking a lot of shoots, whether they truly showcase your individual style can be hit and miss. 

Even though your clients might be singing your praises, you may feel you are not quite hitting heights creatively. This is where testing comes in, unleash the tiger and only let your BEST hit your book. 

3. Staying Fresh

Sounds simple but in reality it’s like showering or brushing your teeth….you can’t expect to brush or shower once a week and expect to stay fresh. I’m not suggesting to test that often, but you get the point. Have you ever read a journal entry you wrote 12 months ago and thought..‘OMG did I really write that??!!’ I have the same experience looking at old work. 

YOUR WORK EVOLVES WITH YOU

You are always growing and learning, so your work must evolve with you. Add to your ‘image journal’ and you will keep up better…with your own growth. 

4. Perception

If I haven’t said enough to sell the idea to you yet as a well established photographer to keep testing, here’s another. Your portfolio could be your website, but most often these days it’s social media (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook) that people keep on top of your movements with. If potential clients are watching you and you go quiet, it could be perceived as you not operating. This is ok! If you’re not looking to book work consistently, if it’s just a side hustle or whatever your reasoning. But if it’s just because you’re too busy with paid work and you just don’t want to post any of it, it could come across that way. Clients come, some stay, but if you want to keep fresh interest rolling in, you need to create it by breathing fresh air into your presence. 

The bottom line is, if you want to continue to build a successful career in fashion photography, there’s a hustle culture to keep up with. I’m a busy fashion photographer, I’m also a single parent and I know how hard it is to find time to really delve into your passion the way you want to. When you do your passion for a living, there’s an ebb and flow to how much you can manage your own projects….but I promise, it will reward you! 

Nadia Masot - Brisbane’s very passionate Beauty and Fashion Photographer