If you're serious about improving your photography, scheduling regular test shoots with models—without money exchanging hands—is necessary. Learning how to handle these arrangements correctly saves you from wasted effort and awkward situations.
Coming to you from John Gress, this insightful video provides detailed guidance on arranging test shoots with models for free, something essential yet rarely explained clearly. Gress highlights the significance of these unpaid collaborations as a tool to experiment freely, practice new lighting techniques, and create fresh portfolio content without the pressure of a paid assignment. His advice includes clearly communicating with models about the unpaid nature of the shoot upfront, setting proper expectations, and strategically scheduling shoots to avoid wasted time in case of cancellations. Gress also explains his approach to finding local talent via hashtags on platforms like Instagram, which simplifies identifying suitable models nearby.
The importance of presenting clear expectations through mood boards and precise instructions about attire is another critical insight from Gress’ method. He emphasizes how ensuring models understand their responsibilities helps avoid common issues such as unprepared participants. Additionally, Gress covers his thoughtful, collaborative process of selecting final images. He discusses the practicalities of narrowing down hundreds of shots to a handful of polished images, sometimes involving trusted friends or the model in the decision-making process. This collaborative effort ensures that everyone involved is satisfied, keeping future collaborations positive.
Gress also addresses the topic of model releases directly, noting their importance while providing tips on drafting agreements in clear language. He advises photographers to explicitly state mutual rights for photo usage, including promotion and social media posting, and clarifies that model agencies typically prefer less edited, realistic portrayals of their models. Interestingly, Gress strongly advises photographers to avoid working directly through modeling agencies when arranging these test shoots due to their restrictive control over creative outcomes. His stance is clear: maintaining control over your creative vision is vital, and working directly with models typically simplifies that.
Beyond these practical tips, Gress shares personal experiences illustrating the transformative power of regular practice. He candidly describes periods when his photographic skills plateaued due to insufficient practice outside of paid gigs. His realization that regular, unpaid practice was the key to significant professional growth serves as compelling motivation to follow his example. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Gress.
