diff --git a/python/smqtk/tests/utils/test_image_utils.py b/python/smqtk/tests/utils/test_image_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0d2b13010
--- /dev/null
+++ b/python/smqtk/tests/utils/test_image_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import os
+import unittest
+
+import nose.tools as ntools
+
+from smqtk.representation.data_element.file_element import DataFileElement
+from smqtk.tests import TEST_DATA_DIR
+from smqtk.utils.image_utils import is_loadable_image, is_valid_element
+
+
+class TestIsLoadableImage(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.good_image = DataFileElement(os.path.join(TEST_DATA_DIR,
+                                                       'Lenna.png'))
+        self.non_image = DataFileElement(os.path.join(TEST_DATA_DIR,
+                                                      'test_file.dat'))
+
+    @ntools.raises(AttributeError)
+    def test_non_data_element_raises_exception(self):
+        # should throw:
+        # AttributeError: 'bool' object has no attribute 'get_bytes'
+        is_loadable_image(False)
+
+
+    def test_unloadable_image_returns_false(self):
+        assert is_loadable_image(self.non_image) == False
+
+
+    def test_unloadable_image_logs_warning(self):
+        pass
+
+
+    def test_loadable_image_returns_true(self):
+        assert is_loadable_image(self.good_image) == True
+
+
+class TestIsValidElement(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def setUp(self):
+        self.good_image = DataFileElement(os.path.join(TEST_DATA_DIR,
+                                                       'Lenna.png'))
+        self.non_image = DataFileElement(os.path.join(TEST_DATA_DIR,
+                                                      'test_file.dat'))
+
+
+    def test_non_data_element(self):
+        assert is_valid_element(False) == False
+
+
+    def test_invalid_content_type(self):
+        # test it logs to debug
+        assert is_valid_element(self.good_image, valid_content_types=[]) == False
+
+    def test_valid_content_type(self):
+        assert is_valid_element(self.good_image,
+                                valid_content_types=['image/png']) == True
+
+
+    def test_invalid_image_returns_false(self):
+        assert is_valid_element(self.non_image, check_image=True) == False