donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Hi all,

I'm an experienced sports and nature photographer but I've just had a request to do some female body builder shots with which I have zero experience. If anyone has experience with this type of photography I'd appreciate some tips. Captain C - I did see the teen body builder shots you did of 2 teenage boys - phenomenal work as always. I don't have $1000's worth of lighting equipment but these will be done in a pretty well lit gym, not a studio. I do have some softboxes, an SB910, SB600 and a couple of reflectors plus a background to take. I'll be shooting with Nikon D500 and probably my 24-70 2.8 lens. I also have 35-50 and 85 1.8's.

Other search results only gave me a couple of off color jokes. Not offended but not helpful either. lol

My trial session with her is on Sunday.

Thanks,
Donna

jbmauser Loc: Roanoke, VA

I have no experience but read an article recently that said you have to have her oil her body to get a sheen then your side lights will help with defining her muscles with highlights. Good luck.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Lighting is key to eliminating tell tale shadows. Your 24-70 will be good for body shots and the 85 for facial shots. You need to avoid shadows as much as possible; they are rarely flattering.
since she is a body builder, your emphasis should be on her muscles but since she is a she
you need to incorporate her femininity into the images, even though body building isn't considered feminine. As a woman, she should feel more comfortable around you, use that to both your advantages. Use lots of light an humor and have fun...

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

Yes, no experience here, either, but photography is photography. Practice your lighting setup with a family member, and have some possibilities on your phone, tablet, or camera to show your subject. Communicate with your subject to find out what poses she wants so you can practice those. Make sure you can overcome the ambient light in the gym with your speedlights (say, with lower ISOs) so that you have complete control over brightness and white balance. Do your backgrounds extend, so that she can do full body shots without showing the gym floor? If not full body, make sure when cropping not to crop at joints (elbows and knees). Does she want props in the photo? Most important, try to have fun. Maybe this first session isn't perfect, but you'll both learn and be ready to improve next time. Good luck, and if she's OK with it, show us the results!

jbmauser Loc: Roanoke, VA

rmorrison1116, I beg to differ. It is shadows that Accentuate the mussels. The most dramatic body building shots are not shot with lots of light, you don't want to flatten her subtle contours. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7FqwPuu1Tk

ecurb1105

As you're not a studio Photographer, the simplest set up would be just use the gym as background with maybe some on camera fill flash. If you're comfortable with off camera lighting, a strong 3/4 side light might add some definition to her shape. Try to keep your first shoot simple. You can experiment and do model tests if this type of work is something you want to continue. Keep it simple and keep you subject comfortable. Good luck.

ecurb1105

As you're not a studio Photographer, the simplest set up would be just use the gym as background with maybe some on camera fill flash. If you're comfortable with off camera lighting, a strong 3/4 side light might add some definition to her shape. Try to keep your first shoot simple. You can experiment and do model tests if this type of work is something you want to continue. Keep it simple and keep you subject comfortable. Good luck.

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Thanks for replies so far. Yes, I can keep it simple and I always have fun whether weddings or headshots. I've given her a quote and also admitted I've not done this type of shoot before which is why I offered a mini 30 minute session for free before we agree to a paid session. If she likes images from this mini session she can purchase them but no obligation. I felt that was the fairest and she loved the idea. I have been googling for advice and even saw where someone said to spray Pam on her for the sheen. This first one on Sunday is just a start so she can see if I can get results she likes. The real shoot will be end of August. Thanks again for all responses so far and jbmauser I will check your youtube link shortly.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

Muscles...................muscles.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Oh, clam up. 😊🙃😋

Photocraig

I did a studio workshop with a female body builder. The key was directional light to accentuate the contours. It is really not too different than a figure study, but she'll be clothed--a little. As rmorrison stated, don't neglect to pose her in ways that allow her feminine curves to flow along with the musculature. Be subtle and remember less is more. Encourage her to have her hair done. I'm guessing this will be a set of portraits rather than an environmental workout set. But that's an idea too. Having her posing with weights doing lifts etc. would make the muscle groups flex and stand out. The ladies have longer toned shaped muscles as opposed to the Arnold large bulk.

Directional light, use a grid to focus the light. Try back lighting, and highlighting her hair. And her face is ever important, so be sure to get her expressions right. If you have fun, she'll have fun and you will be successful.Using the Gym as an "environmental" or location background can be susceptible to distracting background elements and mirrors and chrome reflecting the flash, so really watch. Shooting wide should blur out the background, but can pose pose problems with flash sync. Be sure to practice with the off camera flash(es).

Good luck and good shooting. The lady builders I've met are wonderful, confident ladies who are quite proud of their bodies and are used to posing. If you're having fun then she'll have fun. Suggest that she bring a friend to help with her outfits, makeup and hair. She will also help her relax.

ken hubert Loc: Missouri

I would recommend at least a .45!

donnahde Loc: Newark, DE

Thank you for all this helpful advise, photocraig. She does want to use the gym as a backdrop but I'll be taking my own background along because I've been thinking about all those distractions and I'd like to try some with my backdrop, too, gym lights turned down and use my own lighting to highlight her attributes. As far as a friend, her fiance will be there. They will also have a few shots together but not as body builders. That's originally why I was taking my backdrop. Now that I've read so many wonderful suggestions from all of you I'll be using it for more than those shots. (-:

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Lots of links here. Good luck!

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+photograph+body+builders&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=how+to+photograph+body+builders&aqs=chrome..69i57j0.7807j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Try contacting the many UHH photographers who shoot nudes. It's in "All Sections". I suspect they will be very helpful with your available equipment.
Mark