On Assignment: Bikini Fly Fishing

One of the things that I particularly like about being a freelance outdoor photographer, is the diversity of work and subject matter that I shoot. One week I might be photographing fitness and outdoor lifestyle for a client, another week, I’m documenting an alpine rock climbing trip, while another, I might be shooting chest deep powder skiing in the Canadian Rockies with my friends. And sometimes I get called to shoot something just a little bit different…

This past weekend, I found myself working for a client who hired me to shoot a fly fishing calendar. However, it wasn’t your run of the mill fly fishing shoot, by any means, as all the models were beautiful young women in bikinis.

With regards to working with the models to come up with striking compositions, searching for good vantage points and making the best use of the light, it was no different from any other type of outdoor shoot. I approached it with the same level of professionalism, creative effort and technical expertise as I would for any assignment, but of course, I’d be lying if I said that this job wasn’t just a little more fun and enjoyable in it’s own way than some other jobs that I’ve had.

The models were all great to work with and overall, it was a refreshing twist to have an opportunity to create images that say: sexy instead of: sufferring on another godawful rock face in the fog.

I wonder what I’ll be shooting next week…?

Edit 2010: Unfortunately the girlsflyfishing.com calendar is no longer available. Instead, check out the 2011 Women in Waders calendar. I didn’t do the photography, but apparently it’s a pretty big seller. However, if it’s girls in bikinis you’re after, you might as well go top shelf and get the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Calendar. The girls are way sexier and the photos are way better.

And, if you’re more into a real fishing calendar, then you should probably check out the 2011 Fly Fishing Calendar. Again, I didn’t do the photography but it looks like a pretty nice wall calendar.