Hi,

I'm a London based fashion and advertising photographer. Shooting fashion is my full time job, I have a London agent, Beth Wightman and a studio on the banks of the Thames in Woolwich. But when I can I also shoot model tests / portfolio shoots, generally on the weekends.

If you want to see what I do during the week you can see my fashion and advertising work either on my website
www.jameslightbown.co.uk

or on my agent's site
www.bethwightman.com

I take a slightly different approach when it comes to shooting model tests:

I shoot tests primarily on the weekends in the studio. I don't offer a set number of looks, we shoot what you need! We take a look through your portfolio (if you have one), do a bit of a review and identify if there's anything that you really need.

You're hiring me, my time, my knowledge and my ability to take pictures. I don't have an agenda on what I want to shoot, I shoot for you. If you want to spend that time concentrating on getting one or two killer headshots or concentrating on really dynamic full length poses, I don't mind. We'll work hard together to get you some great pictures for your model portfolio that will get you work. Bear in mind there are limitations to what is acheivable within the costs of a test. Complicated and over elaborate shoots aren't possible. I follow the K.I.S.S. principle.... Keep it simple, stupid. It works and the shots are a great example of you as a model. Over elaborate shoots don't always work.

You can see examples of the shots in the galleries. These are actual tests I have shot recently and the sort of shots that work well in your book for when you are going to castings.

After the shoot, I upload the pictures into a contact sheet gallery (available for 4 weeks after the shoot) for you to choose which images you want. I also go through the gallery as well and make suggestions on which images I feel work. I also have a couple of other trusted industry professionals that will do this for me to help you review the shots you've done, as it's always nice to have a different view point on the shots to help you decide.
I often shoot 2 or 4 images to go in your book as pairs and the review process is very important when shooting in pairs as it's not always the best shots which go together. It's about finding two complimentary images which pair up the best.

After making your selection I will retouch those images for you, but only if they need it! Not over the top so that you have plastic skin but just anything that may need doing, enough so that they will look natural. If you can spot an image has been retouched then it's been retouched badly! Good retouching should never be seen...

Recently I've seen a lot of people offering tests based on noise and nonsense, charging a fortune on false promises and inflated reputations. They don't offer any feedback, they don't look at what you need, they're only interested in churning shots out and making money out of models. No one photographer can offer you a model portfolio!

I'm passionate about testing and model testing. I'm involved in the industry on a daily basis, I fit these tests into my weekends and am very vocal when shooting. Not only offering lots of direction on the shoot but also taking time to go through things with you, reviewing what we've shot and offering advice throughout the whole process.

I hope there is enough here to generate some interest with you! If you are interested then please drop me a line at james@modeltests.com to find out details of rates and/or to enquire about availability.

Many thanks for taking the time to look!

James