Amanda’s Photo Shoot Tips – Part 1

Using Photo Shoots as Motivation

Back in September, we spotlighted PN Team members Amanda and Erin – sharing video (above) and pictures (below) from their recent photo shoots.

The message? Photo shoots aren’t just for models.  Rather, here at PN, we use them as motivation for regular folks trying to accomplish life-changing goals.

And in today’s article, Amanda would like to share her top tips for looking your best.  Whether it’s for your wedding day, a class reunion, a back-yard bbq, a vacation in Mexico, or a fitness photo shoot, Amanda’s got ya covered.

Amanda Graydon - PN Director of Customer and Expert Relations - During Her Fitness Photo Shoot

Who Does a Photo Shoot and Why?

You know, some folks think that photo shoots are only for professional models.  Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Lots of people decide to have professional photos taken, not just models and celebrities.

So, why have a professional take your pictures if you’re not creating an acting or modeling portfolio?

Well, you can use these photos as progress markers on your physique transformation journey, as a reminder of how much you’ve succeeded along the way, or as an endpoint in a particularly inspiring training and nutrition intervention.

Remember, photographers capture the images of all walks of life.  They take pictures of athletes in action, couples getting married, new born babies, graduations, family reunions, and more.  In other words, most photographers capture milestones.

Take our Lean Eating Coaching Program for example.  We have our clients take regular pictures of themselves throughout the 6 month course.  And, early on, we suggest that they actually schedule a professional photo shoot for the last week of the program.

After that, it becomes our mission to help them get into “photo shape” – just in time for the photo deadline.  Talk about motivation!  Many of our Lean Eaters have commented that, in moments of weakness, it’s the prospect of an upcoming photo shoot that keeps them on track.

Autum Scheduled a Photo Shoot For Her 30th Birthday.

Here’s what Autum had to say about her photo shoot.

“I recently celebrated my 30th birthday and wanted to mark this milestone in a big way. I chose to fulfill 2 major goals. One was in the form of a professional photo shoot. The 2nd was to prove to myself I was stronger than I had given myself credit for and that I could break free of my self imposed and genetic restraints. I wanted to achieve a level of leanness I had once thought impossible for my body – and I would do so in a very healthy way.

The journey was more rewarding than I had ever imagined. I learned numerous personal lessons and was blessed to reach out to others in the process…Thanks again to the PN team!”

My Experience with Photo Shoots

Personally, my own photo shoot was the result of a similar process.

Last year I decided to get into the best shape of my life.  And instead of just saying I’d do it, I made myself accountable.  I signed up for both a figure competition and a professional photo shoot.  Talk about putting myself out there!

And let me tell you, I’m so happy I did this.  Whenever I even thought about skipping a workout or eating something not on my plan, I thought of the contest and the shoot.  That got me back on track in no time.

Now, Erin, whose pics you’ll also see in this article, wasn’t really all that motivated by getting on the stage and competing in a figure competition.  So instead of signing up for a competition, she decided to make the photo shoot her competition date.  And that’s what helped to keep her accountable.

Erin Weiss-Trainor - PN Lean Eating Coach - During Her Own Photo Shoot

Photo Shoot Ready – Your Physique

Of course, getting ready for your own photo shoot (or any other significant event in your life where you want to look your best) means getting into awesome shape – maybe even the best shape of your life.

So that’s step one.  Get into awesome shape.

Now, for different folks, that process can take varying amounts of time.  For most figure competitors, who are in pretty good shape year-round, this process lasts about 12-16 weeks.  Now, keep in mind, these 3-4 months involve a highly directed plan.  By ‘highly directed’ I mean they follow a deliberately planned out nutrition and exercise program that are in sync with one another for the entire time.

In the case of my contest and Erin’s shoot, Dr Berardi was in charge of our programs.  Every week he told us exactly how to exercise and precisely what to eat.  Not wanting to let him down, we both did 100% of what he said.  And the results speak for themselves.

Dr JB During A Recent Photo Shoot of His Own - Could You Ignore This Guy's Advice?

Of course, not everyone is going to be able to get into “figure model” shape in just 12-16 weeks.  For some the journey could take 4-6 months.  And for others it’s a year or two down the road.

That’s right, it takes time to really shed that winter insulation, the off-season bulge, whatever you want to call it.  And the amount of time it takes depends on where you’re starting and where you want to end up.  But, regardless of where you’re starting from, or how long it’ll take, we’re here to help.

PN Members have access to a host of exercise plans specifically designed to help with fat loss, muscle building, and body transformation.  Here are just a few:

For the Ladies

Women’s Body Transformating Training
Hot Zone Fat Loss Training
Athletic Training For Fat Loss
Next Level Training For Women
Novice Women’s Training

For the Guys

Body Transformation For Men
Fat Loss Training For Men
Athletic Training For Fat Loss
Body Transformation Now

Of course, don’t neglect the nutritional details!  JB has written extensively about how important nutrition is to the process.  So, if yours isn’t what you know it can be, be sure to pick up a copy of the complete Precision Nutrition System.

The Precision Nutrition System provides you with 10 guidebooks, the Gourmet Nutrition volume 1 cookbook, and a full membership to the PN Member Zone, where you’ll find our online library and the 24/7 private support forums. Organized in an entertaining and instructive format, it’s got everything you need to get the body you want.

Photo Shoot Ready – The Details

One thing very few people understand about looking their best is this – the devil is in the details!  When it comes to physique contests or photo shoots, it’s not enough to just be lean.  To look your best you also have to look after a host of other things like:

• Hair
• Makeup
• Attire
• Posing
• Facial Expressions
• Shoes
• Props
• Jewelry

We’ll talk more about each of these below.  However, for now, let’s assume you’re doing a photo shoot and let’s think about how your photos will be used.

How You Plan On Using Your Photos

Knowing how you want to use your photos will determine the details of your shoot, including which outfits you’ll bring, which facial expressions you’ll try, which poses you’ll practice, and which props you’ll arrive with.

For example, if you’d like to have these photos for your own private portfolio, like Autum did above, then I’d make sure to select a variety of outfits and experiment with a host of different looks.  These may include fitness attire, professional attire, sexy attire, etc.

On the other hand, if these photos are strictly for a magazine specializing in fitness, then there is no need for you to include a formal outfit in your packing.

Another example – head shots. If the photos will be used as head shots for your company website, projects you’ve worked on, or business cards, then you likely don’t want to be posing for these in your underwear.

At this point, you can see where I’m going with this.  So here’s my advice.  Before your shoot, take some time and prepare a typed out shot list.  Think about the outfits you’d like to wear, the props you’d like to use, the expressions you’d like on your face, and the photos you’d like to end up with.

Here’s the shot list I prepared before my photo shoot.

Keep in mind, your photographer can help you generate this sort of list.  And, of course, the list can be modified on the fly once you get into the studio.

Amanda in Action - This Image Was In Amanda's Mind Days Before The Shoot

Stay Tuned For Part 2

Ok, in the interest of keeping this article brief and accessible, I’m going to wrap up part 1 here.

However, if you’re interested in more detail, including tips on attire, hair, make-up, pre-shoot nutrition and exercise peaking and more, come check out Amanda’s Photo Shoot Tips – Part 2.

Finding A Photographer

Also, if you’re looking for a photographer to get started, I highly recommend contacting Jason Grenci.  Not only is he the guy that did my shoot, JB’s shoot, and Erin’s shoot.  He also did all the photos for our highly acclaimed Gourmet Nutrition cookbook.

Jason’s also created a host of special photo packages exclusively for Precision Nutrition Members.  So, if you contact him, be sure to tell him we sent ya. You can reach him at 416-986-4185 or at info@jasongrenci.com.  He’s located in the Toronto area.