Photos and modelling

**gYmgIrL** · October 16th, 2006, 10:47 PM

Hello!

Does anyone have any tips on what to do when you're having photos taken etc? Do you need to practice faces and poses or does the photographer tell you what to do?

How often do you have to re pump etc!

Just in case you have any tips for me

Love Geeg

**Insex** · October 16th, 2006, 11:22 PM

Just pretend that the camera is me and you'll do fine.

Okay okay, I'm just kidding.

Actually, I've never done a photoshoot before. But I plan to get some done for my website after my next bodybuilding competition, which is coming up in a few weeks. Anyways, photoshoots are probably a little more different for us guys than you ladies.

**gYmgIrL** · October 17th, 2006, 08:56 PM

haha,

thats awesome!!! how exciting!!

Have fun tho! That will be awesome

**bouncer** · October 17th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Alot of that depends on the photographer. I would try to find one (networking, networking) that has shot bodybuilders/fitness competitors in the past. An experienced one will be able to give you some hints.

Do your homework on the mandantory poses as well. Spend alot of time flexing in the two weeks before your shoot. You don't want everyone to see your "OMG, I'm having a cramp" face. Practice smiling with the posing too, or otherwise it will come out "forced" looking in the shots.

As far as your pump, that's going to depend on how long the shoot takes. Make sure you have a decent amount of carbs in your system so you can maintain a pump.

Good Luck with all that gYmgIrL

**bouncer** · October 17th, 2006, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncer

Alot of that depends on the photographer. I would try to find one (networking, networking) that has shot bodybuilders/fitness competitors in the past.

I did mean with a camera.....

**gYmgIrL** · October 17th, 2006, 09:30 PM

hahahhhahaa

ok thanks! I'm not sure that there are any of those people in WA! I subliminaly got the idea that i should network to find one.

Come to think of it I'm pretty sure there was a guy giving out cards at the last comp i watched.

**Gman1524** · October 17th, 2006, 09:32 PM

Pose for me, Gymgirl.
Yeah....that's the ticket!

**liza larence** · October 17th, 2006, 09:44 PM

Its always easier to pose for someone you care about than for a complete stranger...digital cameras these days are SO good...a little home made creativity on your part (and his) can go a long way...you are an artist, Geeg... play your music out loud and use a mic as a prop...dress up, and go to town while your man does the snapping! You will get some GREAT photos, trust me

**gYmgIrL** · October 17th, 2006, 10:32 PM

ok ill give it a go!! thank you!!

**mmabox** · October 17th, 2006, 10:55 PM

A good photographer will know what looks good and also communicate to the subject what looks good. I usually get something in my head and when I see it I will go with it. Trust the photographer and be relaxed. Practice always helps but just make sure you are practicing something that really looks good

You'd be surprised at how many people THINK their pose looks hot but sorry..... NOT!

Quote:

Originally Posted by gYmgIrL

Hello!

Does anyone have any tips on what to do when you're having photos taken etc? Do you need to practice faces and poses or does the photographer tell you what to do?

How often do you have to re pump etc!

Just in case you have any tips for me

Love Geeg

**Doughboy** · October 17th, 2006, 10:55 PM

If you need to smile just think of me dancing in the background. Or poking you, trust me you will smile.

archimedes · October 28th, 2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gYmgIrL

Hello!

Does anyone have any tips on what to do when you're having photos taken etc? Do you need to practice faces and poses or does the photographer tell you what to do?

How often do you have to re pump etc!

Just in case you have any tips for me

Love Geeg

A good photog will help you with your poses but you have to at least have a clue of what is supposed to be fitness posing. Competition posing and fitness modeling poses are 2 different things.

Start by studying a couple of fitness magazines and websites. Copy the poses you like, notice the angle that the body and face has in relation to the camera. Practice in front of the mirror. Learn to hit at least 10 different body poses. Your photog can work from there. Face poses certainly can help but just by smiling you are 90% there.

You don't have to pump at all. Flexing is on the light side.

Come to the photoshoot with the deepest, smoothest tan you can have. It can really make a difference or even kill the result. Flash and strong lights wash off the color. Consider a body paint tan cream that you can apply just before the photoshoot. (Dreamtan, Mac body bronze).

Bring as many different outfits as you can. Tight fit, mono or duo color tone. Bring heels. Have your makeup and hair done right.

Practice makes perfect.

Good luck!

**Vizigoth** · October 28th, 2006, 11:49 AM

Find an experienced PROFESSIONAL photographer. They know how to utilize the light so that it does not wash out your hard-earned tan. They know the angles that will look best to bring out the max in your buff. Lighting is critical. Photography is actually painting with light, then you take a picture of the result. I have shot professionally for fifteen years, and only in the last five or six have I been happy with the results of the bodybuilder work I've done. It is not the same as doing weddings, fashion model, portfolio, or catalog work. By all means, practice in front of a mirror. It will give you better control of the image you are projecting, and will allow you to be able to better respond to the commands of the photographer. If you do not know precisely how to make changes in the image you project, then it takes more time to get the results which costs you more money. If you have the money, bring in a make up artist to do the make up.

**Italianangel** · October 30th, 2006, 06:38 PM

Work on being yourself, relax and enjoy the experience, pumping up depends on the type of shoot. If you are doing a 'hard body shoot' then be tanned and slightely oiled, clothing should be minimal and you would pump up pre shoot but may not have to after depending on the poses, flexing gets you pumped but if you are more relaxed in the shoot then pump up every15-20 mins.
Good luck, and share the pics!
Linda

mattmatt755 · November 12th, 2006, 12:16 PM

As far as your body itself, cold water will tighten your skin and make you very lean in your pics.

**FitnessPhotos** · November 12th, 2006, 01:32 PM

Posing is something you become comfortable with over time - seeing what you look like on film, what you like/don't like. Some people have a natural ability to perform, others need to work at it.

Finding someone you are comfortable with is certainly going to make it easier; when you first meet with a photographer, ask to see some of his work. Look at the stuff he has taken and decide for yourself if that is the kind of work you like. Ask him/her what ideas they have for shooting with you and tell them your ideas and what you are looking for - all of these things will give you both a clearer understanding of your expectations so that there is less a chance of miscommunication.

Preshoot pump-up is not uncommon for muscularity - it's like prepping for a contest or anything else; you want to look your best, so you do some curls, pushups or standing squats to get your muscles engaged. Posing to maximize your "assets" will take some getting used to, just because you are flexed doesn't mean it's going to make the best shot.

During the shoot, try music that gets you motivated in the background. Go over the type of pictures they are going to take and ask him how he shoots - does he pose every shot, is it more free-form? Do you just keep going or is it shoot. stop. shoot. stop.

Most importantly though is finding someone serious about taking your picture and not just some guy with a camera who wants to get sots of your ass. Seeing the work they have done and following your gut is the best way to do - just because they don't have much experience doesn't mean they aren't serious; for that you'll need to rely on your instinct.

**gYmgIrL** · November 12th, 2006, 09:24 PM

Thanks very much!!!

I took a few, and then a few bazillion more! awesome inspiration and flexing practice. (omg.... flexing is SO exhausting!!! its a workout in itself!!!!!)

I saved a billion pics i liked and tried to get ideas from them, that helped a lot too

**Doughboy** · November 12th, 2006, 10:58 PM

Good to hear you had a good time and they helped out.
Good advice FP btw but he is a photographer so I guess he would give good advice.

**Insex** · November 13th, 2006, 04:58 AM

Yes, flexing is quite a workout in itself. The common person doesn't realize how much work and practice goes into the art of posing & flexing. It's quite different than just posing for fun in front of your friends.

At my first bodybuilding competition, I didn't realize how important it was to be good at flexing. Not only do you have to flex as hard as you can, but you have to be able to do it for prolonged periods of time, and you have to make it look easy, by not shaking and shivering as much as possible.

I'm glad to hear that you had a good experience at your first photoshoot. Keep up the good work.

**gYmgIrL** · November 13th, 2006, 09:27 PM

Thanks Insex! I'll have to start my own thread soon! ^_^

You're right about flexing!! I'm glad I'm practicing from now!!