Photography Tips · Brussels

Model Test Shoots & Polaroids in Brussels: A First-Timer’s Guide to What Agencies Actually Want

By Dmytro Derkach · Brussels-based commercial photographer

Model test shoots and polaroids are how an agency decides whether to sign a new face. A model portfolio itself is a professional tool, as necessary to a model as a car is to a driver.

The role of a model portfolio

The primary goal of a portfolio is to represent a model as accurately and strongly as possible, without looking artificial. It should match the model’s category and skills, since the wrong photos can cost a job. A typical portfolio holds 8-20 images sorted into a few categories: natural snapshots, model tests (fashion and beauty oriented), and images from prior catwalk, commercial, or magazine work.

Snapshots: the building blocks of a portfolio

Snapshots are natural, unedited photos taken without makeup, with simple hair, and no retouching. They let agencies and casting directors see a model’s actual appearance. Snapshots are usually taken against a plain background, with no jewelry and neat hair. Men are sometimes photographed without shoes; women often pose in heels to show posture. Home-taken snapshots are easy to spot and rarely make a strong impression. Agents receive hundreds of portfolios; a weak set of snapshots often does not get a second look.

What are “polas”?

“Polas” is industry shorthand for polaroid-style test photos: simple, unretouched images used to show an agency exactly what a model looks like without styling or artificial effects. They are not meant to be flattering in a glamorous sense. They are meant to be accurate. No heavy makeup, no complicated hair, no dramatic lighting. Just a clear, honest photo an agency can rely on when deciding whether to sign or place a model.

Model tests: range and versatility

Beyond snapshots, model tests demonstrate emotional range, flexibility, and performance in front of a camera. These lean more fashion-oriented or aim to reveal a model’s personality. The same principle applies: no artificial effects, simple makeup, basic hairstyles. A cluttered or scenic location can distract from the subject. A studio with proper lighting, or a plain background, keeps the focus on the model rather than the surroundings.

Preparing for the shoot

Preparation starts weeks, sometimes months, before the actual session: staying healthy and avoiding any cosmetic procedure that could cause swelling, bringing clothes relevant to the shoot’s purpose, and getting real sleep the night before so skin and eyes look rested rather than tired.

The photographer’s role

A photographer for a model test does more than press a shutter. They arrange lighting, direct posing, correct posture in real time, and make sure the model’s best angles come through. Their skill directly determines whether the final images look natural or forced.

Why backgrounds matter

White gives an image a fresh, light feel. Grey adds depth and a more sophisticated tone. Black creates a dramatic, expressive look. Which one fits depends entirely on the goal of that specific test.

First test shoot nerves

Nearly every model feels some version of nervousness before a first agency test, and that reaction is normal, not a sign of being unsuited to the work. The test exists precisely to see how someone handles a camera and direction in real time, not to catch a flawless performance on the first try. Simple, well-fitted clothing (plain jeans or a fitted top, one outfit is usually enough), light natural makeup, and a full night’s sleep beforehand do more for the outcome than trying to look dramatically different from an everyday appearance.

Agency test vs. portfolio update: what is the difference?

A test shoot is usually the starting point: an agency’s first real look at a model, used to decide whether to sign them and how to position them. A portfolio update happens later, once a model already has representation, and is aimed at adding stronger, more varied images as skills and range develop. The test proves potential. The portfolio update proves progress.

Why quality matters

A high-megapixel phone photo can look impressive on social media, but it does not replace a professional camera and a photographer who understands lighting and posing. A well-made portfolio is an investment in a model’s career, and it is often the single factor that determines whether an agency or client pays attention in a crowded field.