Behind vibrant and glamorous swimwear photos, you would face challenges like hot temperatures, styling changes, and variability in lighting. From my years of experience in shooting swimwear, I'm giving you insider secrets and tips for better swimwear photography to level up your photos.

Tips for Better Swimwear Photography

To improve your swimwear photography skills, start by scouting for locations and hiring the right models that reflect the shoot's theme. This also lets you plan for the shooting gear, lighting, poses, and expressions you’ll use. Likewise, it's important to set a preparation area for hair, makeup, and styling.

Woman wearing a swimsuit posing beside a hut

Even though you need to focus on taking the actual photos, it's essential that you prepare for these things to hold a cohesive and successful swimwear photoshoot.

Choose a Location That's Close to Nature

When a client or company calls you for a shoot, it's good to have a list of the top shooting locations in your area. Among the best places to do swimwear photography are beaches and lakes because you would be shooting in a natural environment where people wear swimsuits.

If your client prefers an indoor setup, another option is at hotels or resorts with pools. Meanwhile, try to avoid downtown areas because such areas lack the nature vibes that relate to swimwear.

Woman in a gold one piece posing in a rocky part of the beach

Hire the Right Models

We coordinate with agencies to work with professional models. In this way, we can find real talents whose body types would suit a myriad of swimwear. It's vital that you choose models who are confident in their skin and would come to do the job prepared.

When casting models, you also have to consider the target audience. If you are working with a swimwear brand, you need to determine if the model's appearance and aura reflect the consumer's values.

Organize Your Gear List

Now, it's time to prepare your swimwear photography gear! My go-to setup for shooting swimwear photos is a Nikon D7200 and a 35mm lens to capture the model's frame entirely.

However, since we may differ in shooting styles or available equipment. Here's what I recommend to take better swimwear images.

Woman posing in her trendy two piece swimsuit

Camera: The camera body depends on your preferred sensor size, megapixel resolution, and shooting modes. However, you can use a full-frame or crop-sensor DSLR to take quality swimwear images.
Lens: The focal length depends on how tight or wide you shoot, although you can start with a medium telephoto lens that has a wide maximum aperture.
External flash: I also use an off-camera flash depending on the available light. If you have a studio setup, you need an external flash and strobe to compensate for the absence of natural light.
Props: You would notice that your swimwear photos may start to look similar as you go along the shoot. You can add subtle changes by including props such as sunglasses, hats, or beach bags.

Think About the Makeup

The model's makeup must match the scene, and people should relate to the appearance. Whether the shoot has a minimalistic or vintage look, swimwear photography makeup typically includes glossy skin and wet hair.

High fashion catalog usually requires more makeup and extensive hairstyling. If that's not the case, avoid putting on too much makeup as sweltering temperatures ruin the makeup. Finally, get nails done and use body oil to achieve a glossy skin effect.

Woman wearing a blue one piece swimsuit while posing in the sand

Be Ready to Face Variable Lighting

Another tip to improve your swimwear photography is to use natural light. There may be times when you would experience all-day shoots, so you have to be ready with the changing ambient lighting.

Midday sun: This is the most challenging because of the harsh light. It's also the most dangerous due to the extreme heat. However, shooting with a midday sun is a great chance to pose under shades, such as palm trees.
Chase the sun! Try to schedule the shoot early morning or late afternoon to get softer light glows and cooler temperatures. The closer the sun gets to the horizon, the softer the light. This would cast a golden glow on the model's body and face.
Backlighting: There would be times when the sun would be behind you, and the model faces the sun's direction. This allows the sun to act as a giant ring light.
If there's a dull background, use silver reflectors because the gold side changes the color of the swimsuit.

Woman lying in her back while wearing swimsuit

Prepare Poses

Although hiring professional models saves you time in directing poses, it's still essential to prepare poses that enhance the model's features while highlighting the swimwear.

Body language delivers over 90% of communication, so even a single pose can have a multitude of interpretations for different people!

These are some of the poses I use for compelling swimwear photography.

Close up of a woman wearing a white swimsuit

Triangle: This is one of the most common portrait poses where the model stands or sits, faces the camera, with the legs or arms close together to form a triangle.
S-Curve: The S-Curve uses the model's hips and lower back to create curves. You can also tilt the head to the side and outstretch one foot to the same side.
In action: Remember that in real life, people donning swimwear would also move. During a swimwear photoshoot, also try to direct your models into walking, bringing a surfboard, or dancing while holding a scarf.

Woman with a striking white swimsuit posing in a rocky part of the beach

Consider Expressions

The global swimwear market is expecting a $29.1 billion growth by 2025. With that said, you must be ready to work with potential clients with different branding.

Even though swimwear photography is body-oriented, you can take better swimwear photos by ensuring that the model connects with the viewer using the eyes. Depending on the theme, eyes can project different meanings, such as serious, playful, or provocative.

Print shoot of a woman posing in the sands

Have a Prep Area

Swimwear lifestyle photography involves a team of photographers, stylists, production assistants, models, and many more. Hence, it's crucial to have an airconditioned preparation area for hairstyling, wardrobe changes, or even just for breaks.

Conclusion

There you have it, your ultimate starter guide on how to take better swimwear photos! Make sure to consider location, models, gear list, makeup, lighting, and poses when planning a swimwear shoot so you can produce the best photos your clients want.