Why I Don't Do Unplanned Test Shoots Anymore
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- Опубліковано 13 чер 2024
- Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well 😊
Today I'm going to be chatting a little about why I don't photograph unplanned test shoots anymore.
Unfortunately this is a habit a lot of photographers can get into after a while without even realising, and these test shoots can tend to become less beneficial over time.
What do you think? Do you still love doing a lot of unplanned tests? Or do you find you're photographing less of them nowadays?
Let me know in the comments! 😊👇
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Great insights on the evolution of test shoots! It's smart to be mindful of the value they bring as your career progresses. Unplanned shoots can be less beneficial, especially when time and budget are limited. It's better to invest in well-planned tests that contribute to your portfolio and fuel your creative passion.
Thank you for always putting in the effort to do videos quick and yet informative, thoughtful and honest! I guess I’ve been following your work for at least half a decade (probably more) and I love how your ID shows whenever your images pop up somewhere - that is worth getting paid for! Love from Sweden ✨
This is an excellent topic and thank you for bringing it up. When I started to shoot Fashion in 2018 I was doing many test shoots. Every week and sometimes twice a week. Of course I was much younger , I was new to the fashion industry and I needed to build my portfolio. In early 2023 I decided to make some space at home and shoot there the tests. Of course , that was a game changer for me because I studied studio lighting through these tests . I am so grateful that I had the chance to learn studio photography through this process .
But as you mentioned , after all these tests I realized that I need something to make my portfolio to stand out . At the same time, last year I became a freelancer so I wanted to have test shoots that will show to potential clients what I can do.
Now regarding the agencies , it is so hard to get paid. I have sent them my rates but as you said no one wants to pay. Only new faces that have just signed to an agency pay.
Thank you for your video ,I have learned so much from you not only in photography but in photography business as well 🙏
Thank you so much for sharing, and for your kind words! 😊
Yes I agree, test shoots are so integral in the learning process, especially early on! But you do get to a point where it almost feels like just shooting spontaneous tests all the time won't take you any further. Tailoring your test shoots to pitch to potential clients is such a clever way to plan! 🙂
And also agreed on the agency part, it's tough out there! As I mentioned, it's where I don't tend to put a lot of my efforts these days, I'd rather pitch out to brands than pitch to model agencies for tests. (Even when they do agree to pay, it's significantly less than commercial work!) 😅
Congrats on 100k
I’m here now. Thank you for sharing this
Do you have any videos shooting with the Lumix? Would like to see your workflow around this camera
I have always avoided unplanned shoots as being a poor use of time. I produce creative shoots once a month on average or less some years. They do take more time but almost always pay off. The pressure these days comes social media, where it's all about frequency of generating and posting content to sustain visibility and following. Paid tests from agencies, if available today, are grueling: 4 looks per model and 3-4 models in a day, this with newbie models that have to be coached in posing.
What is the difference between what a photographer calls a Test Shoot and a TFP shoot? It sounds like a different term for a very similar practice.
I can totally relate. Even though I am not a professional photographer, but rather do it on the side for fun, accepting too many agency tests and TFP shoots just because it is hard to say ‘no’ have led me down the path of creative burn-out several times.
TFP and testing is a great way of learning the craft and building a portfolio - but it always comes at a cost.
Now I am more or leas on a photography hiatus thanks to this. 😢
I feel you, thanks for the video! Greetings from Paris. P.S. Hours spent in front of the monitor after the unpaid shoot are the worst :)
It's the worst when you know there's not a single image for your portfolio! 😭
Thanks for watching! 😊