Skin... so far I have tanned but need to apply self tanner. How dark should I go? Do I need to use something as dark as Pro-tan? ( I am fair skinned w/ light hair). I have Pro-tan and JanTana on hand here. I am not as lean as I would like to be and I know that tan fat looks better than white fat:-) Is baby oil okay to use or is Pam better in photos?

Then how to get my face makeup to match my tanned look?

Pulling out the water and getting some veins to show... I have been cutting carbs and doing double cardio - 2 30 min sessions. When should I carb load? I have lasix. When should I take it?

Should I take something like red wine or niacin on the day of the shoot?

Should I avoid heavy weight training sessions a few days before the shoot so my muscles are not too swollen?

Posing... The thing I'm worried most about is when I hit a pose with my hips turned to the side I can't stand the skin to fold on my waist. Straight on shots are not an option for me at the moment. Ugh!

Is this a test shot? Who's it with....you can email me if you like.

So I assume then that you are on your own for hair and makeup...correct?

I have never used a "fake tan" for photographs, I know FC has though. I've always either taken a few trips to the salon (I don't tan my face). I have several different foundations that I blend together depending on how tan or fair I am. CVS and RITEAID both have a money-back make-up guarantee. So about a week or so b4 shoot, head to the store and get all kinds of foundations and powders, lip colors, cheek colors etc. Take them home and play. Whatever you don't like, keep the original packaging and reciept and return them.

As for baby oil, I have used it NOT pam.

GOOD LIGHTING IS PARAMOUNT. It will make you look lean and hard where different lighting at the same shoot, same day will make you look COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - smooth and feminine.

Posing - any pose with your hands extended above your head with automatically bring your lats out, and will give the illusion that your waste is smaller and your upper body is bigger and thus more in proportion w/your lower body.

Also (I know this will sound really stupid) but practice at home. Have your huby take some shot w/digi cam and pay attention to how it feels when you hit certain poses so that you can duplicate them in at the shoot. Always stand up straight and arch your back and be confident - the camera picks up "little-insignificant-me" attitude. Just think to yourself, "Damn, I fucking amazing" and that is what the photo will say.

And remember this: I was HORRIFIED when I first got into swimwear modeling as to how out of shape MANY of these girls were! Yet when I saw the pics yielded from those shoots, I was like, "I know that girl had cheeze all up and down her ass!" A photographer once told me that it was HIS JOB to make sure that that cheeze did NOT show in the finished product. Conversely I have taken pics where I was stunned at how badly I looked! in the end, it was not me at all (I'm a pretty hard on myself) it was a BAD PHOTOGRAPHER!

If there is anything else I can help you with, email me!

OH Yes....the hair and make-up, depending on what type of shoot this is, you will want to be a little versatile w/hair. Don't attempt some fancy complicated do. If your hair is naturally straight don't mess with curlers unless you ARE VERY GOOD WITH THEM. Leave your hair straight and do not put tons of goo into it. But be sure to put some type of product in it that will make it shine and NO DRY FLY AWAY HAIR! And as for makeup, keep it simple and natural. Make sure that you have enough color on your cheeks. (Almost hooker-looking, but not quite LOL) and THE NUMBER ONE PHOTOSHOOT MAKEUP TIP - POWDER, POWDER, POWDER.....I can not tell you how many shots I have lost because of too much shine!

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....beauty knows no pain.

[This message has been edited by bikinimom (edited January 17, 2001).]

For carb loading, I would start about 2 days before the shoot. Keep the carbs complex (except for maybe a little fudge and whiskey, or jelly beans, about 2-3 hours before the shoot). Niacin is uncomfortable and unpredictable unless you've tried it on yourself several times and know how you'll react. It is best to not do ANY weight training within 2 days of your shoot. Also cut your cardio 2 days out. The lasix should be taken 30-60 minutes before your shoot.

My advice for getting your face to match the rest of your body is to mix a little protan (or jantana if you go with that) into some facial moisturizer. Apply this several times, washing your face in between applications. Keep applying and washing until it looks pretty close to your fake tan color. Dust yourself with a similar colored powder (as BMOM adviced) just before the shoot.

For a side shoot: I'll work from a right side shoot, but if you prefer the other side then swap it around. Heels together, right heel raised, right hip lifted. Upper body twisted to the right (facing camera), with fanned right hand, little finger upward (or even better would be something like a Spanish fan) covering whatever you want to hide above your right hip. Left arm raised and flexed to show bicep (preferably open hand to reflect the fanned look of the right hand). And cock that head and smile like it's coming from the heart! If there are any props available, then a drink in your right hand, and something to hang off with you left hand is ideal. Well, I hope you catch the spirit of what I'm getting at! And as always, we look forward to the photos.

Lets start with makeup----this is SO SO SO important for a shoot----your everyday makeup will not cut it----the lighting & reflectors, and some types of film will make your everyday makeup appear as if you dont even have makeup on at all-----go to the MAC counter at your local department store & invest in some good makeup----use their line that is called Studio Finish line----you only need to invest in foundation, powder, lipliner, and lipstick---all the rest of the stuff you can use revelon & normal cheap brands, but the way that line reflects light will make your skin look much smoother & more flawless---also touch up with powder between shots so you dont look greasy---the slightest bit of oil will take away the quality of the pictures.....also keep in mind makeup for shoots is more dramatic & heavier then regular everyday makeup----you can use fake eyelashes to really accentuate your eyes too!

Your Body------

Tan Tan Tan-----nothing shows off your muscle better then a good dark-EVEN tan....lay with your arms up in the bed so you dont get those nasty white armpits! About a week before hand start using a normal sunless tanner---I use Banana Boat deep color foam tanner---make sure you use it sparingly around your hairline, knees, elbows, etc....make sure you get your armpits, & have someone do your back & back of legs.....do this every other night until the shoot.....the night before the shoot use jan tana show tan...now note---this is very very messy---you need someone to help you out....paint it on with a sponge---it will appear really really dark, and may not go on smooth---dont worry, you are only going to leave it on for 15 minutes----it will give you enough color to brown you....after you shower apply sunless tanner again.......you should be golden bronze when you wake up the morning of the shoot! The day of the shoot you can even out any problem areas or scars with dermablend(available at macys)

Excess Water......I use lasix before my shoots---in moderation, and with potassium......use too much & you will end up looking flat...not good...you need to judge how much water you are holding & see what you need to do......I also occasionally use Thimucase or Preperation H to draw out the last bits of water pre shoot......

Outfits-----You want to be bright---avoid black all together-white is acceptable----ask the photographer what type of setting yuo will be shooting in & bring appropriate outfits.....My advice is that for a shoot you can never bring too much.....I would rather have it by chance then be caught without it....

Other good things to bring that I have been grateful to have or have been caught without...

OIL---VERY IMPORTANT!!!!! (I like Jan Tana Posing oil)

Towels(2)----to wipe down after you oil up, or to sit on if you are outside

Babywipes(for that oil again, and good if you get dirty & have no access to a sink or water)

water
food or bars

I know this sounds like a pain, but if you are shooting outside away from one, a full length mirror----ask the photog. if you are shooting on location if one will be available.

Prior to a shoot, I will not train legs for about 8 days .....I will not train abs for 5 days out.....Everyother bodypart I continue up until the day before.....I bring light weights & bands to pump up prior to if I am not shooting in a gym......

Did I miss anything?????

I want to ask you about the makeup brand. You are quite a bit younger than me, but perhaps this might start to be a prob for you - even though it HAS NEVER shown up in a shot, because I am in my 30's the foundation does tend to settle in fine lines after a while and in combination w/my naturally oily skin my pores like fucking SCREAM, "HERE I AM!" Do you find this particular brand of foundation and powder DOES NOT settle into fine lines?....and I KNOW that you don't have a fucking pore on you (neither did I once *sniff* *sniff*), but perhaps you might have knowledge of this anyways.

HEY! When are we training again?! I need an ass-whooping. :O

Just a quick note...if you are doing your own make-up and are shooting using black and white film then lips and eye makeup needs to be very dark.

I can tell you that for some black and white shots they used almost black lipstick on me. In this shot all the makeup was gray/black family--except foundation.

Can we see more of your pics? Even if they are fashion/commercial/editorial? I love to look at beautiful prints. Please share!

I always wished I had the body to do fitness modeling. I didn't know much about it then and was depending on modeling as a sole income so when I was getting work I just didn't eat. Pfsst. Piss me off in retrospect I didn't tell those industry smucks to get f'd. I want to get some new pics done as it has been three years and I have smartened up considerably. When I get a chance I'll scan some old tear sheets and then when I get the new ones taken we can do a before and after. I am about 20-30lbs heavier than this now.

Yucky, skinny.....

Good Luck, Juicygirl on your shoot...I know you'll be great.

I have a 30% model discount at the MAC store. All you have to do is bring in a letter from your agency and your portfolio to get a card. I purchased the makeup you recommended, FC, and it will look great. It was really hard to guess what color of foundation I will be after all the painting. BMOM- since FC is not yet graced with fine lines I will be testing out the foundation for you :-)

I have been modeling off and on for the past ten years doing commercial/swimwear stuff but am only now muscular enough to do true fitness shots. I've never had to do this much prep. I get so moody when I have to do my own makeup or wardrobe. Some companies just do not understand the importance of a good makeup artist and the right photographer.

Well I guess I'd better get used to it since I have to re-shoot my entire book if I decide to keep modeling. My heart has never been fully into it since I get peeved with the nonsense of the industry. I almost choked the owner of the swimwear company I was working a trade show for about 6 months ago. He asked me to do another show and I said "no" just because I didn't feel like being around him anymore(the two-faced bastard) even though I had time in my schedule.

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LAte

I've read hundreds of your posts, although I've never posted here. I am man and not a perv, I hope you don't mind me hanging around here, I promise not to flame or post nefariously. Will you be my sissypoos?

Go GIRLS Go!!!