How To Prepare For a Fitness Model Photo Shoot

You know your body and your routine. Don’t change your routine, including diet, sleep, and workouts in the week before your shoot. Don’t add new products, new tanning, etc. Watch the salt intake the week prior to a shoot as well.

Make sure you have all the relevant contact information and a map to the shoot location. email, phone numbers, etc. You will want to plan to be early so that you have some cushion time in case of slow traffic, car problems etc. Take the contact info with you in case you have to call and advise your photographer or artistic director that you may be late. Arriving early will help you relax and boost your confidence.

Hair: Keep the head well groomed. That includes facial hair eyebrows, eye lashes. Guys, trim your eye lashes if you have some wild ones. If you have stray facial hairs, make sure they are plucked. Have your body shaved. Shave the body hair. Body hair hides the conditioning you have worked for.

Stay hydrated. Keeping hydrated with improve your skin’s appearance. Avoid activities that will abrade your skin or cause it to be discolored. Wear loose clothing and don’t wear socks or a bra. Depending on the shoot, you may want to forgo underwear

the day of the shoot. Tight clothing creates lines and discolors the skin causing the photographer and editors more work and fewer desirable images. Use lotions that you are familiar with and know how your body will react. Just before a shoot is no time to change routines.

Keep your hair color the same as the images your photographer used to

choose you for a shoot unless directed and agreed on otherwise. The AD (artistic director) or photographer will expect you to look like the images you provided. Also, don’t change the length of your hair unless cleared.

In most cases tanned skin is will provide the best look, but don’t change your tanning in the week prior.




Males should have clean trimmed nails. Females should have clean trimmed nails with a clear neutral coat unless directed otherwise. This goes for all 20 nails.

Underwear: Females should bring a variety of bras so you can fit the clothing provided. Make sure the bra fits. Tight fitting underwear (bras and bottoms) create unsightly lines and bulges and don’t flatter you and make it hard to edit or use the images.

If you are bringing your own wardrobe, avoid clothing with logos, prints, or artwork. These things make the images difficult to use because of copyrights and registered trademarks. Photographers can often deal with small logos, but often for fitness shoots, no name/no logo clothing will be most desired. Make sure any clothes you bring fit well and are in good condition. Shoes and socks included.

The night before a shoot, have a calm night. Go to bed on time or a little early having packed everything you will need for the shoot so you don’t have to frantically find something you forgot at the last minute.

Things to bring to the shoot:

Clothing, ie. shoes, socks, tops and bottoms, undergarments, hair ties.
Towels. Although towels may be provided, you may want your own. You may get sweaty, or be oiled and wetted and you may wish your own personal towels.
iPod with your music in it. Many photographers will be happy to work with music of your choice.
Water.

If you have to cancel... Do this if you have to but don’t be cavalier about it. 

Tell the truth. It is amazing how many times this photographer has heard stories from models that canceled that just didn’t ring true and later found out the excuses were lies. Most photographers would rather have an honest reason. Even if the reason is “I’m nervous” or “my face just broke out”. If something has happened that changes your appearance such as a major bruise or a rash,
the photographer may wish to cancel or they may advise that they are okay dealing with it. We would rather know. But only cancel if you really have to. A better offer in never a good reason to cancel. Word gets out about how dependable models are.

Preparing for a Photoshoot

Your photographer, make-up artist, and others are putting a lot of work into your shoot to make you look good and to get the result that is wanted.

A model should put some thought and preparation into their shoot ahead of time also.

Make sure you have the contact info of the people you are working with, the photographer, the MUA, an agent, art director etc. Get both phone numbers and emails.  You should always be on time, but if something should happen, such as a traffic jam, you should be able to contact the people in your crew and let them know what to expect.

Make sure you know what kind of things you need to bring, what kind of clothes you are going to wear so that you have the appropriate underwear. Do you need to bring accessories? If so, what kind? Ask the photographer or art director what else you might need for a particular assignment.

Make sure you have your own make-up kit stocked with all the things you will need for various shoots. Keep it clean and organized and replenish things before you run out.

If you are shooting swimsuit or lingerie, cut of the tags before the shoot and make sure there are no dangling threads.

Do some research.  Peruse magazines or websites that have photos in the style or theme you are going to shoot. Study the poses from the fingers to the toes to the tilt of the neck, etc.

Make sure you have a great manicure and pedicure if your toes are going to be exposed. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a manicure, but keep your nails clean and fresh looking. Unless asked for color, keep the nail polish clear.

Wax/shave your body hair where the skin will be exposed. Do this a day or two ahead so that there is no razor rash.

Drink water. Being well hydrated is a great way to keep your skin looking great. Avoid caffeine and salt also.

Exfoliate a few days before your shoot also. Don’t be too vigorous and damage your skin. You just want to keep your skin fresh and vibrant.