WhoIsTesting consists of two separate sections:
The Forum - This is a thriving discussion area for people of all levels of experience, from students to experienced professionals. There are simple questions through critiques to a resources section, but most importantly the ability to network and put teams together.
The Listings - For creatives who have attained a certain standard. This is an opportunity to showcase some of your work and provide a means to be contacted. You must be actively testing and open to invitations or offers to test. Applications are not guaranteed and go before a panel upon submission.
They require separate registrations. Please do not fill out either until you have read all of this page.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Do I need to be listed to use the forum?
- How do I get listed?
- Why was my application unsuccessful?
- My Images are not 400x300 what do I do?
- How do I update my listing?
- I don't have any images scanned, can I still be listed?
- I'm an established photographer, why can't I get a listing?
- Why has my listing disappeared?
- How did the site start?
- How do I contact whoistesting.com?
- I am a model, can I still use the site?
Do I need to be listed to use the forum?
No, but you do need to register first. This requires a valid email address.
The forum and the listings are separate, you can register for either one or both if you choose.
How do I get listed?
Listings on the site are free but subject to approval and will require that you already have a body of relevant work. You need to fill out form at join. Please read the rest of this page before doing so.
Return to topWhy was my request for a listing unsuccessful?
Unfortunately we are not able to provide feedback for unsuccessful requests. However the following points are frequently raised by the selection panel.
- Lack of editing. We generally work to the principle of "you are only as good as your worst image". Get rid of old, or even not so old images if they are not up to your best standard.
- You must have evidence of existing work of a suitable style and standard before you can be listed.
- You must provide references where requested. In particular, photographers must have worked with a recognised model agency.
- The calibre of people you are working with is critical.
- Shoddy presentation: Poor quality scans, websites that are poorly laid out or don't work. MySpace profiles when used in lieu of a dedicated portfolio that are full of irrelevant clutter. All these will render your application unlikely to succeed.
- Failing to read this page. We don't charge for listings so at least have the courtesy to read this information. More significantly, if you can't follow these requests how likely is it that you are going to be a team player or have the ability to follow, and stick to a brief?
- Lack of a timely response to contact. If you don't reply to emails you won't get listed - simple really.
- Your work isn't up to scratch yet. While this is obviously subjective we must emphasis the fact that when we say we want to see new work from you with a view to reconsidering your request for a listing we mean it. Shoot some new work, and then get back to us.
The form asks for an image of 400pixels wide, 300pixels high but my images are not this size or shape - what do I do?
The image size required is fixed so you need to comply with this requirement.
You have a choice:
- Crop a single image to this size.
- Crop it smaller and then add a border
- Create a montage or composite of several images to match the size needed. This is the best option, have a look at the images other people have used on the site.
Whatever method you use the final image must be saved as a JPEG so that the file size is under 80KB.
If you are concerned that your image suffers from JPEG compression artefacts when reduced to this size you should be aware that uploading larger files will result in automatic re-saving - so you might as well get it right first time!
If you are sending us an update (see below) you still need to meet the size requirements above, but in addition you must use your name as the file name: "Susan_Shutterspeed.jpg" or "Laura_Lipstick.jpg". If you fail to name your file in this way it will be ignored!
Return to topI am listed on the site, how do I update my details?
Send any updates, either text or a new image by email to
update@whoistesting.com
Please ensure that replacement images are the correct size of 400px wide,
300px high and saved as a JPEG so that the file size is under
80KB. Please name your image file 'your_name.jpg'
Please be aware that you must update your image at least once every 9 months or your listing will be removed. Please do not send previously used images or images that are being used by someone else on the site.
I don't have any images scanned, can I still be on the site?
No. In order to be approved you must supply samples of your work.
Return to topI'm an established photographer in a different field, and now want to start shooting fashion so why can't I get a listing?
You need to show that you are already working in what is a very specialised and
heavily oversubscribed market.
Being accomplished in another area is great, but unless you have already taken the
first few steps you are unlikely to get a listing just yet. Be reassured that having a
request for a listing turned down does not prevent you trying again with new work.
However you should also be aware that repeatedly submitting the same work over and over, or
unsubstantiated name dropping will not impress anyone, least of all whoistesting.com.
I had a listing but now it has disappeared, why?
The listings on whoistesting are not indefinite. If your image has not been updated
within the last 9 months your listing will be dropped. This happens automatically so it is up to you to keep your image updated.
If you would like to have your profile reinstated please go to join
Please do not submit previously used images.
Please note, we may also suspend listings if either the email address or phone number listed becomes invalid. If you change either of these please let us know. Emails being returned due to full mail boxes may also result in a listing being removed.
Return to topHow did the site start?
Launched in August 2001 out of
frustration at the lack of online resources for those working in the fashion and
beauty industry. With so many websites catering for the amateur glam market
there was a huge gulf between real world standards and that seen on the internet.
The site's objectives are to provide a listing of professionals
open to testing offers, to facilitate shooting of new work and to allow
discussion between like-minded creatives, either for feedback and critiques or business matters.
The name came from calling model agencies and asking "Who is testing at the moment?".
How do I get in touch with whoistesting.com
By email - admin@whoistesting.com
Return to topI am a model, can I use the site or get a listing?
There are no listings for models on this site as we strongly recommend that models are far better working through a reputable agency. There are a list of such agencies here and you may also check out the modelling advice section.
Models are welcome to use the forum for discussion or advice but should not post requests for work or photography. If you are a model looking to build your portfolio either work through your agency or contact listed photographers directly.