Behind the Scenes with Mikenia: A Studio Activewear Shoot

A camera, a table covered in printed references and a collection of activewear: that is one of the behind-the-scenes photographs from this Mikenia studio shoot. The references gave us a starting point for poses, with room to try variations as we worked.

A plan you can see on the table

I came to the shoot with reference photographs and a plan. Having visual examples makes the conversation more specific: we can look at the shape of a pose, how people are arranged together and what the clothing does in the frame.

The photograph below shows that preparation in a fairly literal way, with the camera sitting among the printouts. It is a small part of the day, but it helps explain what happens before the finished pictures.

Leaving room for variations

The plan was a starting point for the session. We worked through poses and let the shoot develop as we went, rather than treating each reference as a frame to reproduce exactly.

For activewear, a change in stance or arm position can change both the composition and how the outfit reads. Those variations give us different ways to show the same collection.

Photographing people together and individually

This selection includes paired and group photographs alongside an individual portrait. The group frames bring several outfits into one image; the individual frame gives one look more space.

That difference is useful when planning a brand shoot. A collection image and a photograph focused on one outfit serve different purposes, so it helps to think about both before the session.

What to bring to an activewear shoot

Reference images are a useful beginning. Alongside them, I would suggest a list of the outfits you need to show, any details that need their own photographs and where the finished images will appear. That gives the creative ideas a practical structure.

You can explore my commercial photography services or send me your plans for a collection. A few examples and a clear idea of the images you need are enough to start the conversation.