After years of exercising by myself, I was finally convinced to try The Gym (Thanks, Julie!).  I had been road cycling for a few years… mostly alone.  The thought of being in a room without windows, without a fresh breeze of air, without scents of wild flowers or scenic views seemed confining to me.  Loud music with deafening bass was not appealing!  I was wrong.  For a while, I tried to maintain a dual relationship with The Gym and my road bike.  But The Gym slowly tightened its grip on me, and now receives more attention.  It’s to the point that my beloved bike has become nothing more than a dust collector.  However, I have to admit that it has been a pleasure to sweat, cuss, condition, pray and reflect on things in The Gym.  I joke that The Gym is where/how I maintain my mental health.  I never gave consideration to how the gym can improve photography skills… until now.

This has opened up an opportunity for me to shoot for fun and for me to improve photography skills.  For a few years now, in addition to being a patron, I’ve been covering the Les Mills programs launched at The Gym. Lanessa, The Gym’s super fantastic owner, and all the equally amazing instructors launch the new programs a few times a year and basically throw a party.  There’s prizes, drinks, dancing and sometimes margaritas.  Some of the classes are so popular, they even require an RSVP to attend.  I join in all the fun by capturing images of the launch parties.  Shooting in this environment challenges me to improve photography skills by:

  1. thinking outside the box
  2. being quick on my feet (and with my controls)
  3. shooting in VERY low light situations
  4. looking for and capturing the defining moments
  5. utilizing compositional layering and applying other rules of photography
  6. searching for repeating patterns in unobvious places
  7. capturing flattering images in not-so-flattering circumstances
  8. comforting people (subjects) with my presence; getting them to relax

Here are a few of my favorite images from the last launch.  If you’re a member of The Gym and would like to see all the images, please contact me.

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I not only get to witness people being healthy and having a good time, it gives me a chance to give something back to my community.  I share all the images with The Gym and all its patrons at no charge.  With this, I encourage you to get out and shoot things that are not in your usual genre.  Grow your photography skill and knowledge. Find challenging ways to practice with different subjects and in different environments to improve photography skill.  Find unique ways to give back to your community.  (SECRET REVEALED:  It’s rewarding!!)  Until next time, be positive, be happy, be healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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san antonio senior portrait photographers ata-girl photography since 2010I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I enjoy watching my daughter play softball, hiking, cycling, reading, and listening to Elvis!

The post, How The Gym Can Improve Photography Skills, first appeared on Ata-Girl Photography Co’s website and blog. Please feel free to comment here, or share this post with your friends via Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. Please email me if you have any questions about this article or want to share a neat idea for a future blog post with me.