Model tests & portfolios
Agency-Ready Tests · Editorial Looks · Digitals
Agencies don't want over-retouched glamour — they want to see you: clean light, real skin, confident movement, range across 2–3 looks. I shoot model portfolios and tests in London with an editorial eye built on 10+ years of fashion work, in studio (real London studios from £35/hr) or on location.
A new face needs 2 looks and strong, simple light — a 1–2 hour session covers it. A developing model targeting editorial boards needs range: studio beauty plus a location story, usually 2–3 hours and 2–3 looks. If budget is the constraint, an occasional TFP test can also make sense when the concept fits both portfolios.
Common questions
From £300/hour with Mariya Harley — including one full look and 10 retouched photos; each additional look is £100. A typical 2-hour, 2-look portfolio session lands around £700 before studio hire (£35–94/hr at real London studios) and optional makeup (£200–550).
Range that agencies can sell: a clean beauty shot, one editorial look, one commercial look, movement, and honest digitals (unretouched). 8–12 strong images beat 40 average ones.
Yes, but lightly: texture-preserving retouching only. Agencies also require unretouched digitals/polaroids, which are shot at the end of the session on request.