Model Fitness

Week before last I spent a day and a half working on a photo shoot for Lucy brand sportswear.  I was hired as a "technical consultant": i.e., someone to make sure the models got into viable poses and with good form.  My friends now call me the body wrangler.  Fun excuse to re-arrange some clients and spend some time outdoors in one of Norcal's more beautiful spots: Inverness and Pt. Reyes Station.  The shoot was for the fall/holiday brand campaign, and they set up yoga, lifestyle, and nature shoots in addition to the fitness set-ups.  Of course the lighthouse was a location, but I thankfully didn't work that shot because the winds were record high and the afternoon was cut short.  The abandoned boat is always a favorite. . .

A cold and foggy morning which made the art director happy, as they wanted a winter look. The models, however, not so happy. . .

As you can imagine, the makeup and hair pros were tasked with keeping the models' look natural.  These are Lucy girls today, and they work out and live actively, let's remember.  And the talent manager mentioned how they'd cast athletic girls. . .I knew from the production schedule the girls' heights and sizes, details provided so the stylist would be ready for possible alterations.  Five foot nine and a size 2, you shouldn't be surprised to learn, is considered athletic in the modeling world.

A little upright and turning to the camera, but whaddya gonna do?? This is Jessica, who I was told was the "sensitive" one of the bunch, and could I please be easy on her? See, making big $$ modeling doesn't guarantee self-esteem folks.

The house they'd rented as home base for the crew was pretty sweet.  The Deer Park Ranch is ultramodern and pristine and ready for your private rental.  First I thought the pool adjacent to the eating area was for mood only, and extended out into the deck for design appeal.  Silly me -- it was a one lane lap pool.  We used the outside decks for the strength training shots.

Media room in the house with a peek-a-boo view of the lap pool, which is the width of the window. The window is shade-enabled, natch, for movie time.

Courtney, trying to keep her upper back straight and arms high! You can see me in the reflection shooting this photo. She was definitely the most fun and engaging, and strong at hitting the poses.

Loved the main room

Want one of these chairs some day. . .in black with the turquoise cushion, too.

Love a girl who makes time and space for a nap. Of course the cool hair guy Tokyo knows my cool hair girl Michelle.

I'd had some very cool conversations with different members of the crew during the job.  And cute boy from L.A., who was running the production, proudly referred to his success at casting athletic models when he was asking about my work.  And the notion of perspective immediately came to mind.  We all operate with our own point of view, and I believe it is the evolved person who can truly consider another's.  What's your idea of athletic and healthy?  I think of the women in my classes -- some over 50, and without perfectly toned arms, who kick butt around the block every time.  I also think of the 30-something moms who knock themselves out to get back into the hot jeans asap, as well as the woman struggling with mental health issues who needs her workouts to help manage her depression.  

I consider exercise a lifeline, and it's free.  I think more people should exercise regularly.  I also think women are bombarded with unrealistic images they decide they need to copy.  I think obese people can't feel very good, and they're insides aren't healthy, but we can't talk bout that so much, and isn't "fat acceptance" and empowerment a good thing?  Girls diet as young as age 10.  Overweight boys don't know how to talk about it.  American's as a whole are fatter and unhealthier and eating more sugar than ever before. . .throw a rock on Google and find your favorite source.  And plastic surgery?  Shoot.  I'm tired of fake boobs.  When will the paradigm shift occur?  We are crazy about our bodies and I wish us all a dose of good health and serenity.

And I hope you like the Lucy posters when you're in-store.  The models really did look good :)