Checklist for Preparing For Your Photo Shoot

By Shawn Petrovich of Totally Ripped of Los Angeles, which specializes in photography and video of fitness models.

The Campus Men photographer has been making college students and bodybuilders look good many years. These suggestions are not requirements. This advice will help you look your best on film and hopefully make hearts beat furiously.

High quality standards are needed to achieve superb photographs that have nationwide appeal. This means expecting the most from you and a commitment to prepare yourself to pose for top-notch photograph. This involves getting your body into the best possible shape. The demands placed on you now may be tough, but the resulting photos will be well worth the effort. There are techniques you can use to ready yourself during the weeks and months prior to your photo shoot.

Prepare One Week Prior

Hair

When most guys think of preparing for a photo shoot, the first thing that comes to mind is getting a haircut. However, having the wrong hair stylist cut your hair can ruin the photo shoot. You must be careful when getting a haircut before your photo shoot. It is better to avoid getting your haircut altogether, and have the stylist at the photo shoot cut your hair. Be sure to notify your photographer that you need a haircut. Read this story on how Choosing the wrong hair stylist can ruin the photo shoot.

Tans

• Tanning your body is one of the most important steps you can do to prepare for a photo shoot. It allows you flexibility in pose choices. Either develop a full body tan (Your buttocks, legs and arms should be evenly tanned with no tan lines) or a tan line in the shape of tighty-whiteys is acceptable. This type of tan line requires you to be diligent in always tanning while wearing the same briefs.

Be sure to read about the common problem guys have with tans when preparing for a photo shoot.

If you have tan lines, follow this procedure to correct tan lines. If you were unable to get rid of your tan lines, notify the photographer if you have tan lines other than a tighty whitey tan - because he may need to schedule you to arrive early for makeup to be applied over the untanned area. Tan lines from wearing shorts is a frequent problem for college guys.

If you tan before a photo shoot, be extra careful not to burn your skin. Showing up at a photo shoot with red skin can ruin your photos.

Prepare Day Before Your Photo Shoot

• Make one last effort at cutting weight. Deplete water from your body through cardio exercise.

• Tidy up: everything about you from head to toe should be at its best and clean. (fingernails, toenails, nose hair, back of neck shaved, etc.)

Sleep is Mandatory

• To get rid of bags (or dark circles) under your eyes, get eight hours sleep, drink water and avoid stress and caffeine in the few days before your photo shoot. Read why sleep is important.

Preparing the Same Day of Your Photo Shoot

• To have an empty stomach and better show your abs, don't eat 2-3 hours prior to your photo shoot, but bring a light snack or juice to the shoot to keep your energy levels.

• If your photo shoot is scheduled for sunrise, you can avoid that "just woke up" look by jogging before the shoot. It wakes you up. Remember, sleep is key.

What to Bring

• Pack items to include in your Model bag. A rule of thumb: It is better to bring more props, etc. than needed versus taking the chance of not bringing something that you need. Do not assume anything will be at the shoot, including a dumbell. If you wish, accessories (bracelet, anklet, necklace, cap, rings, earring, whatever...) can be finishing touches. You can take them off during the shoot if needed.

Attitude

• You will arrive for you photo shoot long before you are photographed. Be prepared to wait.

• On the set, be flexible and open to suggestions. Talk with us about ideas that comes to mind. Be patient. Photographers do their best to make guys feel comfortable. Most importantly, relax and have fun!

• Be in a good mood. Be rested, not nervous. If you worry exceedingly about your photo shoot, it may show on your face. Your photos will be unusable.

• Bring your favorite music and anything else that can make you feel comfortable.

What to Expect

You can read what an on-location photo shoot is like.

You can also read how the photo crew will get you ready at the photo shoot

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