What is a test shoot?
I addressed this in my last blog post about Caleann getting published on the cover of Malvie Magazine. But in summary professional models need to keep their portfolios up to date, and one of the ways they do this is by doing “test shoots”.
Abigail Akuffo
This is the first time I have photographed Abigail and she was an absolute delight to work with. Not only is she beautiful, she is also intelligent and confident. She also has excellent communication skills. I have no hesitation in recommending her as a photographic model. I think her personality shines through in some of her photos.
“Ordinary photos” for Abigail’s portfolio
Usually when I do a test shoot I split the session into some “ordinary photos” for their portfolio, and some more “impactful” or “artistic” or “dramatic” photos for publication in a magazine. Of course some of these latter images will also enter the model’s portfolio. “Ordinary photos” to me means “catalogue” or “lifestyle” images.
I will also take some “digitals” if the model asks me to. In the modelling industry “digitals” (also known as “polaroids”) are photos that show what a model looks like without make up and without any retouching of the photos. These are useful for model agencies and casting directors.
Here is on one “lifestyle” photo and a few “catalogue style” photos for Abigail’s portfolio.
More “impactful” photos for publication
These are some of the more “impactful” images we captured together.
Tearsheets from Selin Magazine
Selin is a print and online fashion magazine based in France. Here are just four of the portrait orientation tearsheets from the magazine.
Building up the light
Abigail brought an extremely elegant dress that shows off her back. So naturally I wanted to light her well for some back shots.
I thought it might be interesting to fellow photographers to show how I built up the lighting for her back photos. I started with one tall strip softbox with a grid to light Abigail’s back in a flattering way. Then I added a softbox with a grid to light her face and the front of her body. Then I added a subtle fill light to make Abigail’s body slightly more visible without destroying the dramatic lighting. Finally I added two lights that reflected off the mylar floor to give the pattern on the paper background. One light from each side.
Accreditation
There is not much to say about this. Abigail brought her own clothes and she did her own make up. I did the photography in my studio in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
