The fitness photographer
sscarmack
Posts: 210 Member
Here's my story. Enjoy 
I've been working out consistently for almost a year now. 5-7 days a week, on a 4 day split.
Before that it was hit or miss and I wasn't as dedicated as I am now. I started late 2013, would go once or twice for a couple weeks and then would stop for months, and then I'd go again and then stop.
Well after my ex fiancé left me last year I knew something had to change. So I fully committed myself to the gym and now I am proud to say I am officially a Gym Rat and couldn't be happier.
My goal is to keep packing on muscle, while staying lean.
I would guess I'm around 165lbs and about 10% body fat. But I don't really focus on those numbers. I just go by how I feel and look in the mirror.
I just started using MyFitnessPal religiously to track my macros to make sure my Macros are on point. Also since muscle gain is so important, I have to make sure my body is getting enough calories so I'm not in a deficit. None of this would be possible with MFP.
Anyways, just wanted to say hello and hopefully meet some new people.
Below are my photos. I do photography, professionally on the side. Mainly weddings and senior portraits.
Before and After
Trying to be a fitness model
Close up of the After
-Sean
I've been working out consistently for almost a year now. 5-7 days a week, on a 4 day split.
Before that it was hit or miss and I wasn't as dedicated as I am now. I started late 2013, would go once or twice for a couple weeks and then would stop for months, and then I'd go again and then stop.
Well after my ex fiancé left me last year I knew something had to change. So I fully committed myself to the gym and now I am proud to say I am officially a Gym Rat and couldn't be happier.
My goal is to keep packing on muscle, while staying lean.
I would guess I'm around 165lbs and about 10% body fat. But I don't really focus on those numbers. I just go by how I feel and look in the mirror.
I just started using MyFitnessPal religiously to track my macros to make sure my Macros are on point. Also since muscle gain is so important, I have to make sure my body is getting enough calories so I'm not in a deficit. None of this would be possible with MFP.
Anyways, just wanted to say hello and hopefully meet some new people.
Below are my photos. I do photography, professionally on the side. Mainly weddings and senior portraits.
Before and After
Trying to be a fitness model
Close up of the After
-Sean
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Replies
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Wow! You look great! Keep up the good work!0
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Good job keep doing what you doing0
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Very impressive - and the new tattoos look great!0
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Who do you love0
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Wow you look great!! Keep up the good work!0
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Thank you! A lot of hard work and dedication has been put into my journey.mariannekehl wrote: »Wow! You look great! Keep up the good work!
Thats the plan. Put in the hard work, and it will eventually pay offajgordo150 wrote: »Good job keep doing what you doing
Thank youVery impressive - and the new tattoos look great! I'd like more one day, but priorities trump my funds lol
I'm a lover not a fighterWho do you love
Thank you very muchplushieboo wrote: »Wow you look great!! Keep up the good work! 0 -
Amazing! Thank you for sharing your story. 0
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Fantastic progress. And now I wish I knew more about lighting; your progress photos are way better than the ones I take in my closet mirror...0
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Thank you for readingSerenajeans wrote: »Amazing! Thank you for sharing your story.
Haha I love that photoHow you doin'?
Great job and nice ink.
Thank you.
Lighting is definitely tricky. When trying to emphasize ones body, especially muscles you need to know a little about lighting and how it affects shapes, sizes, texture, etc.Fantastic progress. And now I wish I knew more about lighting; your progress photos are way better than the ones I take in my closet mirror...
For these photos, I focused more on a harsh light set up, closer to my body.
A harsher light creates harder shadows and a brighter highlight. Creating a more 3D look and feel.
You can't achieve that 'defined' look, without shadows.
So some pointers, use "side lighting" or "off axis lighting", you don't want the light coming straight at you, this will make your photo appear flat or dull. By pushing the light to the side, you create the 3D affect.
Think of a round ball. When its on the side, half the ball is lit, while the other half is in the shadow. The closer you bring the light to the ball, the harder the shadow gets.
Check out this youtube video that briefly goes into what I'm saying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QffOw8FNLKM
Any questions, just let me know 0 -
I'm looking for a photographer for my after photo for a fitness contest I'm in near Annapolis, MD. Of course, considering how AWFUL I look in the before contest, anything would be a winner. Any advice? Can a regular only photographer snap me? What should a pear shaped woman wear? I found 2 maryilyn monroe 1950 era bathing suits. What is your advice? Thanks.0
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Amazing! You have me wondering what I would look like if I did a bulk. Probably should! Great progress there!0
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caroldavison332 wrote: »I'm looking for a photographer for my after photo for a fitness contest I'm in near Annapolis, MD. Of course, considering how AWFUL I look in the before contest, anything would be a winner. Any advice? Can a regular only photographer snap me? What should a pear shaped woman wear? I found 2 maryilyn monroe 1950 era bathing suits. What is your advice? Thanks.
Another great video, just shows the different lighting can make
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt1eG1g9vNY
I would definitely suggest going to a photographer who understands lighting and especially "sport lighting" or "action lighting".
You're not going to want to go to someone who specializes in photographing infants haha. Two completely opposites approaches.
Depending on your skin tone, color, texture, you don't want to wear anything that will hurt you. What I mean by that is this. If you pale skin, you don't want to wear black. If your darker, you don't want to wear white. Too much contrast between the two will hurt you. Looks bad in photos.
I like sticking with neutral colors light, blues, greens, reds, purples.
Yellow is usually too bright, same with pink (unless its a darker pink).
And as far as a bathing suit goes, whatever you feel comfortable in. I looked up the Marilyn Monroe 1950 suits and I think that would be great. Just be careful with the colors you choose.
And of course once you find a local photographer, I'm sure they will be more than willing to help you out.0 -
Super progress.0
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From your photos, you are well on your way. While I have packed on a lot of weight, you have to be extremely careful you're packing on the "right weight". I've stayed a steady 10% body fat and thats my goal. I don't want to sacrifice my body fat just to "get big".Amazing! You have me wondering what I would look like if I did a bulk. Probably should! Great progress there!
I don't think it would hurt anyone to add muscle to their frame. Just be smart about it
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Wow!! Amazing progress!0
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Wow congrats you look great!0
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This is one hot body you're having now! Congratulations ;-)0
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Wowee you look incredible! Congratulations
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Thanks everyone
Nice to hear such positive comments, rather than my usual "You work out too much" or other bs. Some people just don't understand 'life style'.0 -
how did you put on 'healthy' weight without increasing bf? I suppose you increased calorie intake with extra gym but I just want to make sure of that
And woooow you without the shirt - illegal0 -
Great job. The after pic looks amazing! You should be very proud of yourself!!
My parents are photographers also ( my family held the contract for photography for the ms america pageants for almost 20 yrs. Including the Ariel coverage of the parade) so early on in life, I was interested in photography also . but never got into it as a profession .
Anyway, good job, you look fantastic!0 -
I still eat Donuts, Oreos, Ice cream, Pizza, and don't get me started on Peanut ButterBeatriceCroacia wrote: »how did you put on 'healthy' weight without increasing bf? I suppose you increased calorie intake with extra gym but I just want to make sure of that
And woooow you without the shirt - illegal
I track my macros religiously. As Long as my fats never get above 30% I'm good.
I'm around 2,750 calories a day now. Some days I'll go over (3,200) and others I don't even get close (1,850). As long as at the end of the week my calories are on point as are my macros, I don't care what I eat.
Its harder to eat healthy (chicken) and hit your calories goals, as a chicken breast is usually only 120 calories. Some days I eat up to four breasts a day, seriously.
I mix up steak and lean beaf in there once a week, maybe twice.
My go to side is broccoli. Sometimes I eat a whole bag by myself in one sitting (3 1/2 servings).
I also try to drink at least 1 gallon of water daily, 1.5 recommended.
Okay, I'm rambling now. Lets see if I can sum it up.
Watch your macros, 50/30/20 (C/P/F) is my goal. But it usually ends up around (55/20/25).
I don't do any cardio, as I'm trying to put on as much mass as possible.
I workout 5-6 days a week and I'm on a 10 week program.
1-2 weeks - Light weight, high rep. (10-15 reps)
3-4 weeks - Supersets and drop sets
5-6 weeks - High weight, low reps (4-6 reps)
7-8 weeks - Light weight, high reps until failure.
9 week - light recovery week, super light weights.
10 week - Max out (one rep, don't forget to warm up)
Of course this isn't exact science and it can change depending how my body feels.
I split up body parts by day
Monday - Chest/Tr
Tuesday - Back/Bi
Wednesday - Legs
Thursday - Arms
Friday - Chest
Saturday - Legs
Sunday - Rest
Just because this works for me, does not mean it will work for everyone.
My goal is to pack on as much mass as possible.
If you have any questions just let me know.
Thats awesome about your parents! Thats high profile job, I don't think I could handle that stress lol. Its just something I have a passion for and if I make a few extra bucks doing it, I'm goodthorsmom01 wrote: »Great job. The after pic looks amazing! You should be very proud of yourself!!
My parents are photographers also ( my family held the contract for photography for the ms america pageants for almost 20 yrs. Including the Ariel coverage of the parade) so early on in life, I was interested in photography also . but never got into it as a profession .
Anyway, good job, you look fantastic! But it is started to grow, word of mouth is a powerful thing. I don't advertise or anything and I average 8-10 weddings a year.
Thank you for the kind words 0 -
Thank you for your reply. You helped me a lot. I've been working out for more than year and half really hard. I see progress but what you did in less than a year is impressive. I might steal your plan haha thanks again0
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Eating big + Lifting heavy = Growth (Bro science)BeatriceCroacia wrote: »Thank you for your reply. You helped me a lot. I've been working out for more than year and half really hard. I see progress but what you did in less than a year is impressive. I might steal your plan haha thanks again
Apps, apps, apps.
MFP (Obviously)
BodySpace (Which is bodybuilding.com) I live by this site. Has helped me out tremendously.
FitBit (Track my steps, any others)
I highly recommend bb.com to anyone who is into fitness. They have programs for just about everything, losing fat, building muscle, male, female, beginner, advanced. Its crazy.0 -
Wow you look great!0
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Wow your hot0
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