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diff --git a/tests/test_image_upload.py b/tests/test_image_upload.py
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+from pathlib import Path
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from pymongo import MongoClient
+import os
+
+from src.database import VisualCommunication, connect
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    # get list of image paths
+    test_dir = Path(__file__).parent
+    img_dir = test_dir / "imgs"
+    img_path_list = [path for path in img_dir.glob("*.jpeg") if path.is_file()]
+    print(img_path_list)
+    # instantiate data object
+    vis_com_list = [VisualCommunication.from_file(path) for path in img_path_list]
+    for vis_com in vis_com_list:
+        print(repr(vis_com))
+    # upload images to database
+    env_path = test_dir.parent / "mongodb.env"
+    assert env_path.exists()
+    load_dotenv(env_path)
+    collection, db, client = connect()
+    print(client.server_info())
+    for vis_com in vis_com_list:
+        result = collection.insert_one(vis_com.model_dump_json())
+        print(f"inserted document: {result}")
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