Location Photography
How can you do a location photography shoot when the location of your subjects is constantly changing? This was the challenge posed by a commercial photography shoot for Speed Cycling, located in Madison, WI.
How can you do a location photography shoot when the location of your subjects is constantly changing? This was the challenge posed by a commercial photography shoot for Speed Cycling, located in Madison, WI.
In need of commercial images for web, newsletter, and display advertising use, Speed Cycling engaged Focal Flame Photography for an on-location assignment that profiled both coaches and clients at a late summer afternoon training ride.
The fact that the entire cast of subjects was in continual motion didn’t cause the slightest concern for Focal Flame photographer and founder Clint Thayer.
“We hired a motorcycle driver who is experienced in working in and around cyclists, and staged shoots so that we captured a variety of imagery,” said Thayer. Casual, authentic interactions between coaches and clients was the focus prior to takeoff, followed by high-intensity images of athletes in training during the ride. The warm summer sunlight provided a beautiful complement to the camaraderie evident in the interactions between athletes and coaches.
“Speed Cycling is dedicated to meeting the needs of cyclists at all levels, and we really wanted to make sure this was portrayed in the photos we use for marketing and advertising,” said Speed Cycling Coach and co-founder Petra Kilian-Gehring. “We knew that Focal Flame would be able to provide images that showed a full range of emotion, from light-hearted interactions to tough training moments.”
Speed Cycling Coach and co-founder Casey Lamers agreed. “With coaching, it’s all about relationships and results,” said Lamers. “We needed images that really told the story about how our coaches interact with athletes no matter their experience level, and that could give other cyclists some perspective about what it’s like to be right there with us on a training ride.”
The palette of colors from the shoot arose naturally: red and white team colors of the Speed Cycling kit, contrasted with green fields plus dark gray asphalt and yellow lines of rural Wisconsin roads – all illuminated by golden sunlight. And, of course, many photos were accented with the broad smiles of Speed Cycling clients enjoying a beautiful, rewarding workout.
“We couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Kilian-Gehring. “This is a photo set that we keep coming back to time and again, because it captures the essence of what we do.”