5 Roommates, Working Out In a House During a Pandemic

I had an idea to create home fitness series for a little while, but was never sure how to go about it. Should I keep it humorous, dramatic, or more serious to enable a marketing ability for more specific lifestyle campaigns. I figured, there's plenty of time for that, so why not keep it fun a little dramatic and lighthearted. I wanted to concentrate on colors, and after watching numerous episodes of Key & Peel, and other throwback shows from the 90s, like Saved By the Bell and others, I decided to kick it up with a slightly retro vibe. The colors and tone from that era definitely fit.

After coming up with some rough set ideas I started searching for props, and started to source some models from local agencies that might be into this concept. Luckily I found a few great models from Reinhard Model Agency and VIE Modeling agency pretty quickly that were enthusiastic to work with myself and the small team I put together. Whenever I decided to do shoots like this, I feel it's important to keep it as close to an actual potential client shoot as possible.

The shoot was shot with a concept of feeling stuck, and having to work out at home. A couple weeks after finishing the project COVID-19 struck and all work abruptly ceased. I had no idea my concept would, sadly, fit so well into the narrative of a pandemic situation. With that in mind, I wanted to make sure the shots work slightly darker in tone, but still keeping a humorous and dramatic undertone to each finished image. The concept of the series changed a bit. I visualized a situation with 5 roommates all working out in a house together, and the different scenarios and energy that might be there, exaggerated and contrived of course. I reached out to an amazing retoucher, Matt Brewin, across the pond in the UK to see if he'd be interested in jumping on board with me to finish these shots. Ive followed him for a while and love his aesthetic and the work he's produced. He was game and we started a dialogue to see where we could bring the files to an elevated finalized output.

Matt suggested adding some additional textures and playing with the light slightly. Loved it. I absolutely welcome retouchers input no matter how set on an idea I might be. A different perspective can steer any image into a much better direction and elevate it to another level. Concepts are ever evolving. If it evolves a bit more in post, wonderful! I retouch much of my own work, but I highly suggest working with a trusted retoucher every time you are able. If theres room to improve a shot, take it. Don't be a cotton headed ninny muggins.

After a few weeks of quarantine, going back and forth with Matt, and trying to keep my sanity from slipping out of the slight hold I still have, we finished! I hope you enjoy these perspiring pandemic fitness performances. ;)