What to bring on a TFP (test) shoot:

Models frequently ask me what they should bring along when we have scheduled a "TFP" (testing) photo shoot.

A good starter portfolio contains casual, sporty, trendy, club dress, swimwear, and dressy (fashion) type images.  

Models wardrobe is important, and in a TFP or testing situation, almost always the model is responsible for providing his or her own wardrobe. Some models arrive for a shoot with their entire closet in the trunk of their car, in suitcases, bags, or buckets… That can become the extreme, but always plan to bring more than you really anticipate needing. The photographer will work with you at the time of the shoot to pick and choose what outfit's best fit the overall objective, setting and activities. A good basic starter list of wardrobe items to bring includes:

1. Jeans
2. Leather Pants
3. Overalls
4. Capri's
5. Shorts (designer as well as cut-offs)
6. T-Shirts (white, black, colored, with and without graphics and "sayings")
7. Shirts and blouses - solid colors and pattern
8. Skirts
9. Pajama's (not lingerie, but even a man's oversized shirt or flannels can be great to use)
10. High heel shoes and Pumps
11. Tennis shoes and assorted socks (ankle, thigh, knee)
12. Hose and Stockings
13. Dresses (short, long, casual "summer," elegant and dressy)
14. Jackets, Coats and Sweaters (depending upon the weather, of course)
15. Swimwear (bikini's seem more common, but a good one-piece is ultimate)

Unusual items for wardrobe are also sometimes nice. Do you have access to someone's military uniform? What about something you've worn for Halloween? Perhaps you are a cheerleader or play some sport that has a unique uniform? Bring these along.

Makeup should be a lot less of a concern than most models would think. I prefer a model to arrive for a shoot with her normal makeup already applied. This should be more than on a casual day, however, not as much as if going out to a nightclub, etc. Foundation, lips, and eyes are the primary areas to concentrate on. Nails are also a concern, though this depends again upon what type of content is being shot for. In 'glamour' type situations, a full set of professional nails certainly can't hurt. For more casual and general portfolio work, nails should be presentable and nail color should not be extremely bright or overdone. Matching nail color to lipstick can be quite beneficial. Toe nails, if wearing sandals, etc., is a consideration also… and should match accordingly. Hair is vitally as important as makeup… You should attempt to be ready to adjust to several styles during a portfolio type shoot, from long and straight, to curly or more "made up." Bring clips, "scrunchies," barrettes, Bobbie-pins, bows, and any other instruments used to help adjust your hairs' look from down to up, pig- or pony-tails, and anything and everything above, beyond, and in-between.

Minimize jewelry. For a very elegant, dressy shot, necklaces and bracelets may be okay, but for general shots you should not distract or draw attention away from yourself with jewelry. Even a wristwatch of multiple rings for most shots is discouraged. A consideration when going on location is that when you have to remove such items, you run the risk of them being lost. Leave these items at home, or at least bring a purse of jewelry case to keep them safe in during a shoot.

Props (including such things as sunglasses, hats, sporting equipment, etc.) are great tools to use as long as you remember that it is the model in a portfolio that should be the center of attention, not his or her activity and/or any props or settings being used.  I use a lot of walls and solid backgrounds wherever possible in order not to draw attention away from the model. At the same time, a balance of locations and sometimes even somewhat distracting settings can enhance an image, even for a portfolio.

Some good suggestions for props to be used in a shoot may include, but certainly is not limited to the following:

1. Sunglasses and regular glasses (even if you normally wear none).
2. Hats (baseball style, designer, funny or unusual).
3. Scarf's.
4. Sports equipment (bats, balls, rackets, etc.).
5. Brief case for business look.
6. Books and/or backpack for the look of a student.
7. Anything your imagination and resources have available.

Props can be so totally subjective to too many elements to actually provide a good, solid and accurate listing. Use your imagination. I've seen good shots come out of anything from blowing bubbles with a kids' bubble-mix and that circular thing you stick in the mix (whatever that is all called!), to the "got milk?" shot, suckers, applying lipstick, drinking from a bottle or can, and on and on. Don't distract from the fact that you, the model, is the subject and center of attention, but have a little fun and be creative also.

Arrive at the shoot ready to go right to work with the minimum of makeup retouch, and have ideas in mind already for good outfit combinations. Again, the photographer will generally work with you on the outfits, and a good thing to do at the beginning of the shoot is to show the photographer what items you have brought along so that during the shoot, the photographer can keep wardrobe changes in mind based upon the backgrounds and locations you are working at.