Bodybuilding Webcasts
How many of you watch the Olympia and Arnold bodybuilding competitions online? How about any other bodybuilding shows around the country or the world? Well that all started out in the late 2000’s because of me and this video camera, John Balik’s Iron Man Magazine and FitExpo and Bodybuilding.com. That is where it all began. And not the Bodybuilding.com of today. The original Bodybuilding.com created by Ryan, Jeremy and Russ DeLuca who were the visionaries who made so much possible in the world of bodybuilding and fitness.
Take These Two Tablets
That day Ronnie and I each arrived by limousine at the Orleans Arena very early. I was the photographer for Bodybuilding.com so we knew each other. As we walked in I asked him what it really felt like being at another Olympia. Among the things he said was that this was what God had intended for him. Ronnie is known for being very religious and I could tell that he was not bragging but actually feeling humble about it. It was truly a really nice moment I have remembered from my times in the bodybuilding industry.
On To The Olympia And Arnold
He has gone on to stand on the stage of the prestigious Olympia and the Arnold Classic. Xavisus Gayden actually was first seen in bodybuilding magazines from a photo shoot he had with me at Palm Springs Fitness Center a few years back. Now a star in Men’s Physique, he is also to be saluted for being a United States Marine. Outstanding!
Ever Ever
One of my all time favorite photographs I have ever shot ever. The incredible wonderful Tina Chandler during her Olympia bodybuilding competition.
That Was Me
Thank You to so very many for your kind words in the last few days about my bodybuilding and fitness show photography. Not a new thing for me to shoot shows.
Actually I am the photographer who was very first credentialed for Bodybuilding.com to shoot their very first Olympia coverage about a dozen years ago. That’s right! Before me Bodybuilding.com never was allowed a photo press credential for the Olympia.
I went on to shoot over 20 shows per year for them all around the country including the Arnold, other pro shows and the bigger amateur shows. Remember when you would get up in the morning and see the show photos from the night before on the Bodybuilding.com website. That was me shooting the show, staying up all night along with one person back at Bodybuilding.com headquarters getting that all online. We pioneered that along with many other show reporting innovations. I could tell you some great and fun stories for sure about those times.
Of course you have seen my show photos in the magazines and on the magazines covers along the way too. But my favorites have always been the advertising, both online and print ads for Bodybuilding.com. Even Jamie Eason was first seen for Bodybuilding.com when I photographed her for them for the very first time.
This is a computer wallpaper that was done back then. There was one of those done weekly and for a few years almost all from my photos. It was all great fun and I still love doing it! Thanks Again!
Get Paid! Rant Ahead, Read At Your Own Risk!
GET PAID! Please! Rant ahead, read at your own risk…
As we are coming up on the Olympia weekend in Las Vegas, the most prestigious of all bodybuilding and fitness extravaganzas, I am again getting calls and messages from so many about this dilemma about getting paid. Basically it goes like this… “They want me to work their booth and want to pay me next to nothing. And last year they had $40 million dollars in sales.”
The next to nothing in this case is $100 per day. Others are not even getting that much or nothing. Stand around all day in almost no clothes and high heels for almost no money or none at all. No breaks, barely get to the bathroom. Why? Because starting back in about 2008 nobody was saying NO when the offers got less and less. Now you are all paying the price.
Remember when you are nursing your sore feet, blisters and headache, the president or owner of that company will be at the best restaurant in town sucking down the best call Vodka, double, at $40 a glass. And then having that $88 steak.
I am going to tell you right now, don’t do it! I know you want to get ahead in the fit biz but no one is going to “discover” you while you are standing in that booth handing out little packets of fat burners. So just say NO and this is what you can do…
Buy yourself an Expo ticket and walk around and meet people and also enjoy the Expo you never get to see because you are stuck in that booth! Hand out your business card, talk to people. Just remember to get their cards too so you can follow up. Every one is distracted and busy at the Olympia Expo, be brief and to the point and make an impression.
By the way, many of you “photographers” are just as guilty. You worked for cheap or free and made it worse for everyone. Now you can’t buy lunch! I told you!
Get back to me with any questions and check out this short video from famed author and writer Harlan Ellison. It is to the point!
Ready And One Of My Favorites…
When IFBB Professional Bodybuilder Tina Chandler showed up for her photo shoot with me she was not only ready for the photo shoot but also Olympia ready. It was one of my most favorite and created the most memorable of photographs. Here is just one of them…
I Think Ronnie Said…
I was wondering what Ronnie Coleman was thinking behind those sunglasses when I shot this photograph of him at the 2006 Olympia. So I asked him, but it was very loud in there with the crowd and all. I think he said he was wondering, for the rest of you, how those core fitness workouts on those pastel color inflatable balls was working out for you guys. Yeah, that was it, I am sure that’s what he said!
Celebrating Bodybuilder Gunter Schlierkamp
Celebrating Gunter Schlierkamp my photographs of him are among those being featured on Stars of Bodybuilding this week. Check it out! This is one of my photographs from pre-judging at the 2006 Olympia in Las Vegas. Thanks!
SecondFocus Blog 