"Before" photos

[pcj]

My local gym is running a Biggest Loser program, and I'm running a portrait Before/After package for the participants brave enough to document their changes.

So, this month, I'm getting lots of Before photo shoots done. These won't be long or complicated - 30 to 45 minutes, mostly full body portraits, done in workout gear.

I'm lighting them with two Genesis 200s in umbrella's (one softbox available) and a 580 ex II, against either white or black.

I've done one shoot already, and have my second coming up - but just came across this forum, and was wondering if I could get some thoughts and ideas on how I can get a bit more creative, without misleading the client (I want the Before shoot to be honest, but not artificially flattering or unflattering)

This was from the first shoot I did - i'll fix the bad shadows for this one (we were *really* tight for time, and the channel was switched for the optical slave, and it didn't fire)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nwo5RnCMiMo/S0T1h316CdI/AAAAAAAAAnA/oMv55AhDcF0/meg.jpeg

I plan to do simple cross lighting from the front, with a gel for their team colors on the white - or simple against black - and do a variety of full and 1/3 portraits

[pcj]

I should probably point out that the lame posing was the models idea - she wanted to "look defeated" in her Before photos - to help her be motivated to get fitter!

I plan on getting future, less opinionated models to stand a little straighter, maybe have them on a posing stool for some, less "deer in the headlights" look!

[ccc_javier]

a bit more light on her right hand side would help

and if the idea is to really show the B4 stage, get looser shorts...

:)

[pcj]

a bit more light on her right hand side would help

and if the idea is to really show the B4 stage, get looser shorts...

:)

Oh, I was pissed when I downloaded these and found the block hadn't fired. Turns out, I fat fingered them when moving, and switched the channel on the optical slave. Of course, I couldn't tell how many were firing, and I wasn't paying too much attention to the LCD - I only remember thinking "wow, thats a bit dark - I'll lighten it later"

I don't have a lot of input into the clothing - i've asked them to wear their workout gear, so they up showing the same stuff before and after (or similar). Besides, I believe those *were* her loose shorts ... she put a ton of weight on recently ...

(I'm coming from a 65lb weight loss myself, so I "get it"!)

[pcj]

Well, that was another challenge!

Firstly, I told her I would be shooting on a black backdrop, and with it being a Before shoot, she should wear clothes that showed up on black, and were appropriate for showing her "Before" body.

She shows up in black sweat pants and a big black T.

Tried a few shots, it wasn't working, so we switched to white and tried again.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nwo5RnCMiMo/S0YCd7JoDvI/AAAAAAAAAnE/vP4bZ7VXWpU/expman.jpeg

Believe it or not, that was her "relaxed, smiley" pose. Phew - this one was hard, hard work.

I need to be extremely explicit with the clothing choices on the next shoot.

[CafeRacer808]

a bit more light on her right hand side would help

and if the idea is to really show the B4 stage, get looser shorts...

:)

I agree on both counts. And for the full body shots, I'd consider throwing a bit more light on the legs.