A View Into The Fitness World Of Photography

As a fitness and fashion photographer, the thing that comes to everyone's mind is the glitz and glamour about the choice of profession and naturally the controversies with it, sometimes in envy and most times just in awe of the pure nature of the atmosphere that is created in their presence. But although as easy and glamourous as this sound, there's always a lot of hard work and professionalism that goes with the territory. So this month we speak with a well-known fitness photographer of our country Chris Rathore and talk about all the in and outs of Fitness Photography and his career.

- Sanchit Mishra

What made you get into fitness photography since it is still a very niche genre?

I got into fitness photography back in 2015. I always had huge respect for fitness athletes. I remember one day I got a message on my facebook of a fitness model. I knew nothing about fitness photography back then. Fun fact, it was actually my students who taught me the ins and outs of studio lighting that day. I shot that guy for about six hours. I worked on the pictures religiously and the rest is history. I guess my work spoke for itself and clients kept pouring in.

Fitness is something that is still relatively new in India. Do you feel it is challenging as a genre to shoot?

Fitness can be one of the easiest and yet one of the most challenging. I have oftentimes had some great challenges while shooting outdoors. The main challenge is for the models, they prep months in advance leading up to the day of the shoot. They are on strict diet, almost no carbs, salt and water, now imagine shooting for six hours with no food in an outdoor location in the month of July. That is very challenging, posing non-stop while the body starves. Keeping the model motivated and guided throughout their nauseous state of mind is the real challenge.

What factors play an important role while focussing on fitness since the body is in focus instead of the model?

The condition of the body is top priority when shooting fitness. I try to incorporate a very natural and effortless imagery with those extremely sharp bodies and facial expression for me plays a huge role in making that perfect shot. If I had to choose one factor as most important one in fitness photography then that would definitely be lighting that helps me achieve that perfect combination of shadows and highlights.

Does correct lighting become even more important when you are shooting the physical body?