Shooting on the beach in a swimsuit can be one of the most challenging shoots a new model can do, but having a few tricks ready and practiced, can make the experience a lot less stressful and much more successful.
The whole point of doing a swimwear shoot is to show your proportions and how natural you can be without relying on a lot of styling or contrived hair and makeup. It’s all you! Make sure you are in great shape before you shoot swimwear so that you can actually use the images in your book – no one is going to retouch you into having an amazing body if you clearly need to go to the gym!
With that in mind, choose a bikini or one-piece that fits properly and does not dig in on the sides making rolls or indentations. If you aren’t super voluptuous, don’t try to pad yourself up – it never looks good and clients will see it as a drawback. Enhance what you have and own it. Same goes if you are curvy! Wearing a suit that fits actually makes your body look better. Watch where the bottom of the suit hits at the top of your leg to make sure it doesn’t dig in or shorten the visual look of your legs.
If you are a newbie, start by wearing a pair of shorts over your suit like above, until you are comfortable enough to shoot without them. Or try a sheer cover-up that let’s the light through and catches the breeze and flutters around you – it can be super flattering.
Striking a static pose right away can feel forced and awkward so try movement, such as walking towards or away from the photographer, or twirling around. This looks much more natural and can get you warmed up. When standing still you must be really aware of your posture and pose. Model from the top of your head to the tip of your toes as the camera sees all of it, and it all matters. This takes practice in front of a mirror at home to know your body’s best angles. Cheating a little to one side is more faltering than shooting straight on, unless you are really fit and can slam-dunk a power pose, staring down the camera.
KEY TIPS TO REMEMBER:
- Keep your shoulders down and back so you have a long neck and beautiful collarbones.
- Arching your back a bit so that you feel it in your lower back makes the legs longer and thinner.
- Arms should be relaxed and natural.
- Crossing one knee slightly over the other and touching your ankles together while standing on your toes really lengthens visual look of the legs.
Opening your eyes on a bright beach can be really difficult but there are tricks you can learn that will help you to avoid a scowl
Close your eyes, relax your face, and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth – open your eyes on the exhale and close them after your hear the camera click. This makes the most gorgeous natural beauty look if you do it correctly. Practice!
- Let the photographer count you in, opening your eyes on their cue. "1, 2, 3, OPEN"
- Shoot in an open shade area if possible, or see if there is someone on set who can hold a “scrim” to provide shade over you while you shoot.
- Smile! A big, sincere, gorgeous smile makes a natural squint – and looks great!
You and your photographer are a team and it is in both of your best interests to make beautiful and marketable images. Choose your photographer carefully, and make sure their esthetic matches yours, when you are choosing for a test shoot. Plan ahead and be on the same page.
Practice at home and learn as you go on the shoot and enjoy it! If you are tense it won’t work. Have fun with sass and class ... because it’s not all about your ass, despite what the Kardashian's might have you think!
Best tip from this entire post you must always remember .... SHOULDERS DOWN and be YOU!
Big thank you to Allana Wesley White for the amazing photos - definitely the photographer in the know in Miami!
