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Click on over to FLEXonline.com to see the extended coverage to the newest issue to hit shelves, the 13th annual FLEX swimsuit issue. The swimsuit issue hits shelves this week and there are some smoken hot photos in the issue. There are more behind-the-scenes photos as well as a PDF of more photos not run in the mag. Check it out - it’s worth a look.
I am sorting through thousands of photos from various shoots over the past year and ran across some that I hadn’t published yet. In honor of tonight’s season two American Gladiators, here’s a peek at Jamie Reed from last year’s NPC USA contest. “Fury” was looking hot as ever the day after she competed in the figure portion of the show. Little did we know our little pole vaulter would launch herself onto NBC months later. Enjoy…
Teresa qualified for the IFBB Figure Olympia in her pro debut. When she took the Pittsburgh Pro stage you couldn’t help but notice she has something special. A little bit of sexy, sassy attitude on stage… The kind that draws you in and is a positive attribute. I had a chance to shoot with her in between the prejudging and the finals and we managed to dodge the rain as well as a few odd characters who gawked in the neighborhood. I’ll post more photos from this shoot in the weeks to come and you may just see a few photos from this shoot in the magazines. I’ll keep you posted on if/when they run but enjoy these two in the mean time. Keep your eye on this rookie she owns the stage like a seasoned pro.
I received an email today from the editors of JPG Magazine informing me that one of my Arnold Classic photos has been selected for the next issue of their magazine. The photo is a line up of figure competitors during the prejudging which I titled, “Booty Lineup”. Below is the photo that will be in the next issue as well as the email from the editors. I’m happy to announce this as it helps get the images of our industry out into other publications in a positive manner.
Greetings, Isaac!
Thanks so much for submitting to JPG Magazine Issue 16. The editors and the community have spent the last few weeks reviewing the photos and stories. There was so much amazing work - it wasn’t easy.We’re thrilled to tell you that your submission, “Booty Lineup” to Photo Challenge: Line Up, has been selected for publication!
Last weekend, IFBB Pro Figure competitor Jennifer Gates was in Pittsburgh working her sponsor’s booth. Jen made the most of her trip and did a photo shoot with J.M. Manion. J.M. mixed things up a bit and paid homage to the movie Underworld. Check out a couple photos of Jen courtesy of J.M.
Rachel recently competed in the NPC Northern Colorado and won her class. That was her first show and she looked amazing. So much so that I knew I had to shoot with her as she has “the look”. We met up at Colorado Pro Gym, which (as you read here) is run by Dylan and Heather Armbrust. They are cleaning the gym up and making it look incredible. It has some of the best lighting for gym shoots and today was no exception.
Today, I asked Rachel what she does for cardio and she said, “I chase tumble weeds in Wyoming. Those lil’ fauckers are fast.” Not only is she a fresh face to watch in the coming months but she also has a witty personality. This 25-year old rising star works full-time in pharmaceutical sales. You’ll be seeing a lot more of her around and don’t be surprised if you see her in a few magazines.
I had the chance to shoot with NPC Figure competitor Liza Kampstra and the UFC’s Houston Alexander last week. I’m still sorting through all the shots but Liza lit it up and looked great. She’s preparing for the NPC Jr. Nationals and it was the best I’d seen her look this far out from a show. Keep your eye on her in Chicago as she’s a rising star in the industry.
Unfortunately, Houston lost his fight but check out some of the training shots, video my article at bodybuilding.com. There are also a number of photos from the fights, which I was privileged to shoot, right on the octagon.
Which cover do you like? It looks like it’s between Annik Nayler and Felicia Romero. I’m partial to the Felicia cover myself and like the shot of her they’ve chosen. Let us know your thoughts in the comments field.
A special thanks to Tony Blinn and the IFBB Pro League for featuring the women from the Arnold Classic weekend on IFBBpro.com. This edition features a few photographs from the two-minute fitness routines. The routines are without question my favorite event to capture. It’s always a challenge with the pros as they soar across the stage. Take a look at the full feature on IFBBpro.com
We last saw Heather Armbrust on the Olympia stage. She had a great rookie year where she won her pro debut in Sacramento. Since that time Heather’s been one busy woman. The newest adventure is no small task. Heather and her husband Dylan recently took over ownership of Colorado Pro Gym. The previous owner, Harry, was always super cool to everyone who stopped by. Heather and Dylan are good people who will do a great job of keeping the gym what it’s been known for in Denver… that of a raw, kick-ass energy gym where you can grunt as you like.
I’ve done a few shoots in this gym and has great lighting with awesome equipment. Last year I shot Heather and her prep for her first show at their gym. I recently shot IFBB Pro Phil Heath in this gym for FLEXonline.com which caused a great stir in the men’s bodybuilding world.
If you live in Denver or visiting the area check out Colorado Pro Gym for a gym with no fluff.
The boys at FLEX have a tough job some days. Earlier in the week, Arnold Schwarzenegger stopped by the Weider offices and said hello to the hard working crew. Yesterday, a few of the FLEXers could be seen poolside in sunny California. It’s that time of the year again when eight of the most beautiful women in the biz are photographed for the annual FLEX swimsuit issue. The magazine will be on sale in May.
It’s one of the highlights of every show for me; the fitness routines. It’s a challenge to capture the action as it unfolds in front of you and that one moment in time when everything clicks. I often have more photos that are blurry, out of focus or cropped wrong but for those that total suck, I usually end up with a couple that totally rock. One of my favorite competitors to shoot on stage is IFBB Pro Tracey Greenwood. There is something about her routines that no matter what outfit she is wearing or what moves she’s doing I’m able to capture her at the right time. I think a good portion of it is that Tracey holds her moves longer than most and times her strength moves in an order that is logical.
The females are getting some love on the main IFBB Pro League Web site, IFBBPRO.com. Check out photos from the Ms. International show.
The NPC IRONMAN Figure took place last weekend in conjunction with the IRONMAN Pro. This year’s field was lacking in total competitors and the quality of the physiques were not what we’ve come to expect from this show. The winner receives a photoshoot with IRONMAN magazine and this is a tremendous opportunity for women to get published. Danielle Edmonds ended up victorious but she was not at her best. Last year she was runner-up to the eventual overall winner, Catherine Anderson, at the NPC USA. It could be because this show is very early in the year and a non-national qualifier as to why the numbers were down. If the show sticks around for another year, it is my hope that more women enter and they come in with better conditioning.
A new feature I am starting this year to display the photos is a slideshow. This is the first of many in 2008. Take a look at the competitors from this show here.
**Overall Winner
Danielle Edmonds
Figure Class A
1. Jennifer Kline
2. Shawna Kondo
3. Lisa Sandercock
4. Kathryn Payton
5. Debbie Bell
NP. Kelly Mac
NP. Kimberly McGarry
NP. Lilia Sandozequi
Figure Class B
1. Ana Tigre
2. Selma McPherson
3. Bernadette Marturano
Figure Class C
1. Danielle Edmonds**
2. Hanna Fox
3. Delinia Lewis
4. Kristie Tatum
5. Dore Madere
Figure Class D
1. Lisa Lynn-Calhoun
Our friends over at FLEXONLINE.com posted a story and a few photos of IFBB Figure Pro, Gina Aliotti today. Gina was two weeks out from the 2008 Figure International in Columbus, Ohio. G is my pick for the title. I saw her the day before this shoot and we chatted a bit during breakfast on how she’s feeling. She’s ready and will rock the Arnold stage in one week. Look for Gina’s article in the June issue of FLEX.
For more photos and the complete story visit the FLEXONLINE.com blog.
I’m pleased to announce Hardbody.com will be a sponsor for the 2008 NPC JR. USA in Charleston, South Carolina. The two overall figure winners and overall fitness winner will be featured on hardbody.com and receive a photo shoot with LIFT Studios. This is a great opportunity for the female competitors to get some added exposure. I’m working on a couple more things to sweeten this deal for the winners.
We’re pleased to be part of the NPC Jr. USA and would encourage every nationally qualified NPC Figure competitor to consider competing in this show. Tres Bennett does a great job promoting this event and takes great care of all the competitors.
Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
A sneak peak at some of the American Gladiators, Hulk Hogan and Ron gets in the action.
Valerie, Jamie, Tanji and Beth pose on Press Day.
Ron puts the squeeze on Tanji and Jamie.
Gina, Beth, Valerie, Tanji and Jamie strike a pose.
Beth, Tanji, Robin and Jamie are all smiles with the Hulk.
For more pics, please go to http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/amgladiators.htm
There are over 220 pictures from the set featuring all of the gladiators.
I’m currently in Dallas, Texas covering the NPC Nationals. I had the chance to shoot with Texas’ own Amy Peters. I’ve known Amy for a number of years but this was the first time we shot together. Amy was actually the very first interview I did on Bodybuilding.com about 4 years ago. Any whoo - I’m glad we had a chance to shoot as we were able to get a number of great shots. Amy has a new hair color and one week off from her show in Kentucky, looked great. Here are a couple shots from today.
Strike a pose there’s nothing to it.
I had the chance to shoot with the IFBB Figure Pro, Kristi Tauti on Sunday. Every competitor knows what it’s like to finish competing and want to eat everything in sight. Many competitor’s indulgence lists include candy and chocolate. I’ve competed twice myself and know what it’s like to deprive yourself of sweets and sugar. The thought of having candy again sounds sweet, that is until you over indulge. I thought this concept would make a fun photo shoot because any one who has competed can relate. When I told Kristi about the idea for this shoot she was ecstatic to say the least. Many times shoots take place after shows and often in the gym where the model/competitor gets quite a workout. The only thing this shoot would require lifting was a few pieces of candy.
I’m still sorting through the photos but we were able to get a number of great shots. Kristi was fun to work with and an awesome model. Ron Avidan helped out with lights and picked up another nickname, “Wrapper Man”. When Ron wasn’t eating the props he lent a hand to arranging the candy wrappers around Kristi. We’ll share more photos from this shoot as well asbehind the scenes video in the next few days.
Thanks Kristi, you were great!
